Experts advise on herd performance
Experts advise on herd performance
MAKING the correct management decisions to improve dairy herd fertility requires a better measure of herd reproductive performance than the widely used calving interval, non-return and conception rates.
In a series of eight Milk Development Council funded seminars entitled Fertility Down Under, experts from Australia and New Zealand will provide an insight into successful strategies for improving fertility.
Australian researcher John Morton will present latest results from the In-Calf project. "This is the largest investigation into the reasons behind poor reproductive performance in Australian herds, involving 168 herds in the eastern states. This project has been ongoing for six years."
To evaluate herds, an improved measure of herd performance is essential. For all-year-round calving, 100-day in-calf and 200-day not-in-calf rates are used, while for block calving herds, six-week in-calf and 21-week not-in-calf rates are used, says Mr Morton.
"The problem with using calving interval is it reflects performance many months ago and does not include cows that did not conceive, yet these cows contribute to the cost of poor fertility."
In addition, he believes conception rates are misleading as some herds with high rates can be taking too long to conceive because of delays to first service and missed returns to service.
At the meetings, Mr Morton will outline the six main factors found to influence herd fertility, the most important being body condition and AI technique. "More than 70% of inseminations are DIY and work shows herd conception rates can be increased 5% by adjusting AI method."
Also talking at the seminars is New Zealand based Bryan McKay, who recently developed new computer software for analysing herd fertility. "This is widely used on farm as a cow information and data collection system," he explains.
To book a place contact MDC, 01285-646517, fax 01285-646501. *
The most important factors influencing herd fertility are body condition at service and AI technique, says John Morton.
MDC is planning a further series of meetings on fertility in high yielding cows, with Dirk Zaaijer and George Mann, later in February.