scholarly journals Fertility parameters in German dairy herds: Associations with milk yield and herd size

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 459-464
Author(s):  
Jörn Rethmeier ◽  
Michael Wenzlau ◽  
Martin Wagner ◽  
Steffi Wiedemann ◽  
Lisa Bachmann
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Service Rate ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Key Factor

Fertility in dairy cows has decreased over the last fifty years while milk production per cow has increased. Furthermore, dairy herds become larger resulting in fewer employees per cow, which might also influence reproductive performance. To elucidate the situation in Germany, selected parameters (conception rate, service rate, pregnancy rate, days to first insemination and days open) were studied using data on 148 herds. For statistical analysis the herds were categorized concerning milk yield: (1) < 30 kg, (2) 30‒35 kg, and (3) > 35 kg/cow/day as well as concerning herd size: (1) < 200, (2) 200‒400, (3) 400‒1000 and (4) > 1000 milking cows. There was no difference in conception rate among herds. That means on dairy farms of larger size or with high milk yield the chance of an inseminated cow to become pregnant is the same as in small herds or in herds with low milk yield. Small herds (< 200 cows) had lower pregnancy rates than larger herds (200–400 cows). The pregnancy rate in herds with different milk yield was not statistically different. Though there was a trend that dairy farms with higher milk yield (> 30 kg) had higher pregnancy rates. The statistical differences and trends of pregnancy rates are due to higher service rate in larger herds as well as in herds with high milk yield. Therefore, service rate is the key factor for high reproductive performance on dairy farms. Poor fertility is not associated with high milk yield on herd basis or large herd size but may represent inappropriate farm management.

scholarly journals Economics of Improved Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cattle

EDIS ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2005 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert De Vries ◽  
Jessika Van Leeuwen ◽  
William W. Thatcher
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Cooperative Extension Service ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
The Cost

This fact sheet provides some estimates of the economic benefits of improved reproductive performance through increasing pregnancy rates in dairy herds. After a short literature review, the fact sheet focuses on estimates under conditions in Florida. At the herd level, the economic value of an improvement in pregnancy rate and the cost of an additional day open are estimated. This is done for both an overall increase of pregnancy rate and an increase of first service pregnancy rate. In addition, the fact sheet presents some estimates of the maximum that can be spent on a reproductive program to obtain increases in first service pregnancy rates. At the cow level, the values of a new or established pregnancy are discussed. Results show the maximum that can be spent to get specific cows pregnant. This document is AN156, one of a series of the Department of Animal Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published August 2005.

scholarly journals Comparison of the effects of Presynch-Ovsynch, Presynch- Ovsynch+CIDR, and G6G protocols on the reproductive performance of lactating Holstein cows in the postpartum period

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hesam Kohsari ◽  
Khatereh Berenjian
Keyword(s):  
Serum Concentration ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle

This study was performed on an industrial dairy farm near Tehran province, Iran, on 666 lactating Holstein cows from September 2019 to June 2020 in order to eliminate the harmful effects of heat stress on the reproductive performance of the cows. The hypothesis of the recent study was that by increasing the serum concentration of progesterone (P4) in the luteal phase before insemination in the form of Presynch-Ovsynch+CIDR (POC) and G6G protocols, the pregnancy rate of cows would be increased compared to the Presynch-Ovsynch (PO) protocol. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Presynch-Ovsynch (PGF2α-14d- PGF2α-12d-Ovsynch (OVS: GnRH(GnRH1)- 7d-PGF2α(PG)-2d-GnRH)-18h-Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI), n=212), Presynch-Ovsynch+CIDR (similar to the PO protocol, plus the use of a CIDR for 7 days, from the start of the OVS+FTAI protocol to the time of PG injection, n=230), and G6G (PGF2α- 2d-GnRH-6d-OVS+FTAI, n=224) protocols on the reproductive performance and pregnancy rate of lactating Holstein cows. The average body condition score (BCS) for the cows was about 2.5 at the time of the onset of the OVS+FTAI program. The average daily milk production for cows at the time of the start of the OVS+FTAI program was 38.3 kg/day. On average, the studied cows were inseminated 86 days postpartum. Implementation of the G6G protocol in comparison to the PO and POC protocols increased the serum concentration of P4 at GnRH1 (P=0.04). The cows that received the G6G protocol had a greater number of corpuses luteum (CL) on their ovaries at PG in comparison to the cows in the PO and POC protocols (P=0.03 and P=0.05, respectively). For all treatment protocols, the pregnancy rate of cows with >2 CLs on their ovaries at PG was significantly higher than for cows with ≤2 CLs on their ovaries at this time. The overall pregnancy rate for all cows studied was 42%. Separately, pregnancy rates for cows in PO, POC, and G6G protocols were calculated at 36.7%, 41.7%, and 47.3% respectively. The highest and the lowest pregnancy rates were obtained in the G6G and PO protocols, respectively (P=0.03). It can be concluded that the G6G protocol increased the pregnancy rate of cows in comparison to the PO but not to the POC protocol. This result can be attributed to the increase in serum concentration of P4 at GnRH1 and the greater number of CLs at PG following implementation of the G6G compared to the PO protocol. Although CIDR administration in the POC protocol led to an increase in the pregnancy rate of cows compared to the PO protocol, possibly by increasing the synchrony rate and the quality of the ovulatory follicle, this increase was not statistically significant (P=0.09).

The influence of purified porcine relaxin on the reproductive performance of sows following artificial insemination with fresh or frozen semen

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Thacker ◽  
A. D. Gooneratne ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Frozen Semen

Pregnancy rates and litter sizes following insemination of sows with fresh-extended and frozen-thawed semen averaged 71 vs. 53% and 10.6 vs. 4.4, respectively, and was not affected by the addition of 12.5 μg relaxin to semen. These results indicate no relaxin mediated effect on either pregnancy rate or litter size when sows are artificially inseminated with relaxin-supplemented semen. Key words: Artificial insemination, relaxin, sows

RESULT OF ADVANCED TECHNIQUES FOR ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN EWES WITH FROZEN-THAWED SEMEN

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-47
Author(s):  
P Myagmarsuren ◽  
U Myagmardulam ◽  
Ts Haliunaa
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Intrauterine Insemination ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Luminal Diameter ◽  
Physical Size ◽  
Domestic Species ◽  
Breeding Station

In all domestic species, acceptable pregnancy rate with frozen-thawed semen is 20-30% through simply cervical and vaginal insemination. Researchers have proved that achievable high results can be expected only from intrauterine insemination in ewes. Unlike the cow, and goat, the cervix of ewes is a formidable barrier to penetrate for transcervical intrauterine insemination. It is not only due to the physical size of the canal and a narrow luminal diameter (even at estrus), but also due to its caudally facing eccentric series of four to eight funnel-like rings. The major aim of this study was to evaluate a comparison of transcervical and laparoscopic intrauterine artificial insemination techniques with frozen –thawed semen on the reproductive performance of ewes.58ewes of 3-4 years of age, so called Altanbulag subspecies of breed were selected and equally divided into 2 groups for the AI methods from October 15-20, 2013 in the breeding station of Research Institute of Animal Husbandry in Hongor sum, Darhan uul province. The estrus was synchronized with EAZI-BREED TMCIDR in which the progesterone content was 0.3 g. After 12 days, the CIDR were removed, PMSG of 400 and 200 IU were administrated intramuscularly per ewe. The total success of synchronization rate was 93.3%. The results has shown the possibilities of laparoscopic and transcervical AI techniques in 55.17%, 41.37% (p>0.05) of pregnancy rates respectively, with frozen-thawed semen in ewes by ultrasonography diagnosis.Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.13(2) 2014: 43-47

scholarly journals The variable prevalence of bovine tuberculosis among dairy herds in Central Ethiopia provides opportunities for targeted intervention

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254091
Author(s):  
Gizat Almaw ◽  
Andrew J. K. Conlan ◽  
Gobena Ameni ◽  
Balako Gumi ◽  
Alemseged Alemu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
P Value ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Individual Animal ◽  
Central Ethiopia ◽  
High Prevalence

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an important disease for dairy productivity, as well as having the potential for zoonotic transmission. Previous prevalence studies of bTB in the dairy sector in central Ethiopia have suggested high prevalence, however, they have been limited to relatively small scale surveys, raising concerns about their representativeness. Here we carried out a cross sectional one-stage cluster sampling survey taking the dairy herd as a cluster to estimate the prevalence of bTB in dairy farms in six areas of central Ethiopia. The survey, which to date is by far the largest in the area in terms of the number of dairy farms, study areas and risk factors explored, took place from March 2016 to May 2017. This study combined tuberculin skin testing and the collection of additional herd and animal level data by questionnaire to identify potential risk factors contributing to bTB transmission. We applied the single intradermal cervical comparative tuberculin (SICCT) test using >4mm cut-off for considering an individual animal as positive for bTB; at least one reactor animal was required for a herd to be considered bTB positive. Two hundred ninety-nine dairy herds in the six study areas were randomly selected, from which 5,675 cattle were tested. The overall prevalence of bTB after standardisation for herd-size in the population was 54.4% (95% CI 48.7–60%) at the herd level, and it was 24.5% (95% CI 23.3–25.8) at the individual animal level. A Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) with herd and area as random effect was used to explore risk factors association with bTB status. We found that herd size, age, bTB history at farm, and breed were significant risk factors for animals to be SICCT positive. Animals from large herds had 8.3 times the odds of being tuberculin reactor (OR: 8.3, p-value:0.008) as compared to animals from small herds. The effect of age was strongest for animals 8–10 years of age (the oldest category) having 8.9 times the odds of being tuberculin reactors (OR: 8.9, p-value:<0.001) compared to the youngest category. The other identified significant risk factors were bTB history at farm (OR: 5.2, p-value:0.003) and cattle breed (OR: 2.5, p-value: 0.032). Our study demonstrates a high prevalence of bTB in central Ethiopia but with a large variation in within-herd prevalence between herds, findings that lays an important foundation for the future development of control strategies.

scholarly journals Brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis in dairy farms in the state of Acre, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-92
Author(s):  
Jefferson Viana Alves Diniz ◽  
Renato Mesquita Peixoto ◽  
Laine Oliveira Silva ◽  
Marina Marie Bento Nogueira ◽  
Rosano Ramos de Freitas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Complement Fixation ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Occurrence Rate ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Bovine Brucellosis ◽  
Common Features ◽  
Lactating Cows

This study aimed to evaluate the to evaluate the occurrence rate of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in dairy herds of Acre State, Brazil. The survey was performed on 487 lactating cows distributed across 27 farms in seven cities from June 2018 to February 2019. Farms were selected according to the following criteria: volume of milk production (150 L/day), distance to an urban perimeter (43 km), and time of dairy activity (12 years). For the diagnosis of brucellosis, buffered acidified plate antigen (BAPA) and complement fixation (CF) tests were used. Among the investigated animals, the occurrence rates for brucellosis and tuberculosis were 1.88% (9/487) and 1.23% (6/487), respectively; among the investigated farms, 11.11% (3/27) and 22.2% (6/27) had livestock diagnosed as positive for brucellosis and tuberculosis, respectively. The farms with tuberculosis-positive cattle possessed some common features with respect to herd size. These farms had considerable herd sizes, which were reared extensively in pastures shared with other susceptible or pathogen-carrying animals. In conclusion, the occurrence rate of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in dairy herds from Acre state is, in general, lower than that observed in other states of Brazil. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for developing strategies to control and eradicate both diseases to prevent eventual outbreaks and pathogen dissemination.

scholarly journals Dairy farm profit according to the herd size, milk yield, and number of cows per worker

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 225-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Krpalkova ◽  
V.E. Cabrera ◽  
J. Kvapilik ◽  
J. Burdych
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Economic Traits ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
Farm Profit ◽  
Overall Efficiency ◽  
Feed Costs

The study evaluates the associations of the farm herd size (HERD), the milk yield (MY, kg/cow per year), and cows per worker (CW) with the production, reproduction, and economic traits in 60 commercial dairy herds (34&nbsp;633 cows) in the Czech Republic. Each parameter was split into 3 groups. The largest herds (&ge;&nbsp;750 cows) had the highest profitability of costs without subsidies (&minus;3.8&nbsp;&plusmn;&nbsp;4.3%), the lowest cost for roughages (1.2&nbsp;CZK/L milk), and the lowest cost for breeding operations (0.17 CZK/L milk), but the highest costs for the cereal grains and concentrates (2.4 CZK/L milk). Herds with the lowest MY (&le;&nbsp;7&nbsp;499) had the lowest profitability of costs without subsidies (&minus;15.8&nbsp;&plusmn;&nbsp;3.93%), the highest total costs (9.27 CZK/L milk), the highest labour costs (1.6 CZK/L milk), and the highest cow depreciation costs (0.97 CZK/L milk). Herds with the lowest CW (&le;&nbsp;39) had the highest mean labour costs (1.51 CZK/L milk) and the highest costs for breeding operations (0.22 CZK/L milk). Herds with the highest CW (&ge;&nbsp;60) and the lowest CW (&le;&nbsp;39) also differed in the total feed costs (4.1 vs. 3.73 CZK/L milk) and the costs of cereals and concentrates (2.34 vs. 1.96 CZK/L milk). The increasing herd size tended to be accompanied by higher milk yields and the overall efficiency.

scholarly journals Evaluation of economic indicators for Czech dairy farms

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 499-508
Author(s):  
Jan Syrůček ◽  
Luděk Bartoň ◽  
Dalibor Řehák ◽  
Jindřich Kvapilík ◽  
Jiří Burdych
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Agrarian Sector ◽  
Feed Costs ◽  
Milk Level

Milk production is one of the most important areas of the Czech agrarian sector, as evidenced by its 50% share (at 2017 prices) in revenues from livestock production. As for any business, a certain level of profitability is a prerequisite for long-term and sustainable development of dairy farms. This study’s aim was to evaluate the economic efficiency of milk production from both Czech Fleckvieh (C) and Holstein (H) cows based on data collected each year from 48 to 70 Czech dairy farms in the period from 2012 to 2017. Total costs per feeding day and litre of milk, level of profitability, and income over feed costs were calculated. The influences of herd size and milk yield on profitability and break-even points were examined while sensitivity analysis and model calculations were utilised to predict profitability. The farms with higher average milk yields (&gt;7 500 and &gt;9 500 L per lactation for C and H, respectively) had higher costs per feeding day, lower costs per litre of milk, and improved profitability (p &lt; 0.05). Average break-even points were estimated for milk price (0.31 and 0.32 EUR) and milk yield (7 257 and 9 209 L) in C and H herds, respectively.<br />

An evaluation of the effect of nutritional strategy in early lactation on reproductive performance of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 12-12
Author(s):  
H S Gilmore ◽  
F J Young ◽  
R A Law ◽  
A R G Wylie ◽  
D C Patterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Nutritional Strategy ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
On Farm

Poor fertility is a major problem on dairy farms. On-farm studies indicate than pregnancy rates to first service have declined from approximately 55% between 1975 and 1982 to 39% between 1995 and 1998 (Royal et al., 2000), illustrating a decline of approximately 1% per year during this period. The cause is multifactorial and influenced by many factors including genetics, management and nutrition. Previous studies have reported improved fertility through nutritional modification in early lactation (Gong et al., 2002). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional strategy in early lactation on reproductive performance.

scholarly journals Factors That Optimize Reproductive Efficiency in Dairy Herds with an Emphasis on Timed Artificial Insemination Programs

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo Cardoso Consentini ◽  
Milo Charles Wiltbank ◽  
Roberto Sartori
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Service Rate ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Timed Artificial Insemination

Reproductive efficiency is closely tied to the profitability of dairy herds, and therefore successful dairy operations seek to achieve high 21-day pregnancy rates in order to reduce the calving interval and days in milk of the herd. There are various factors that impact reproductive performance, including the specific reproductive management program, body condition score loss and nutritional management, genetics of the cows, and the cow comfort provided by the facilities and management programs. To achieve high 21-day pregnancy rates, the service rate and pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) should be increased. Currently, there are adjustments in timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocols and use of presynchronization programs that can increase P/AI, even to the point that fertility is higher with some TAI programs as compared with AI after standing estrus. Implementation of a systematic reproductive management program that utilizes efficient TAI programs with optimized management strategies can produce high reproductive indexes combined with healthy cows having high milk production termed “the high fertility cycle”. The scientific results that underlie these concepts are presented in this manuscript along with how these ideas can be practically implemented to improve reproductive efficiency on commercial dairy operations.

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