Video 16 A step by step approach to planning breeding
Fertility is a key driver in dairy farm performance and profitability. A tighter calving pattern means more days at grass and also days in milk. Good fertility means keeping cows in the herd for longer. This means more mature cows with greater yields and less non-productive GHG emissions. For me, longevity is the key metric of the future in dairy farms.
I was lucky over the last month to be in regular contact with vet Doreen Corridan who I rate as the best in the world when it comes to fertility in pasture-based systems. She knows the subject inside out and has currently some fantastic videos on all aspects of breeding online.
Doreen is very clear that good planning is a key driver to successful breeding.
So here are 9 steps to planning the breeding season.
Step 1
At this stage, farmers will have chosen their bulls and where possible should be using A.I to help enhance the genetics in the herd. Anyone using bulls must get them fertility tested and ensure they have enough bull power.
Step 2
Our current reality of social distancing means to check and set up your facilities for minimal interaction with your AI man. Have clearly marked areas for them to enter disinfect and wash hands. Check all handling facilities are working.
It is also worth ringing your AI Company and ask them what they need to have the farm ready for a smooth breeding session for incoming technicians
Step 3
Give your vet a call to schedule a prebreeding consult for problem cows. Purchase all heat detection aids or anything else needed for the breeding season. How will you record heats? Is this the year you go digital. At a minimum, a large whiteboard works well to mark cows seen bulling on it.
Step 4
Getting nutrition right before and during the breeding season is one of the biggest drivers to an efficient season. We must match inputs with outputs (milk). Cows losing body condition at breeding time will be much less likely to be cycling.
Body condition scoring is by far the greatest tool we have to assess nutritional status. With bulk milk protein levels also another crude method of assessing herd energy balance.
One of the easy fixes now for thin cows ahead of breeding is OAD milking. This is like a metabolic handbrake to allow them to put on some condition. It will also help them start cycling. We can put cows on OAD milking for 3-4 weeks with no major effects on their lactation curve.
Step 5
Begin prebreeding heat detection now. This will help you identify cows not seen cycling before your MSD (mating start date). If possible record any heats and use this to predict when these ladies might be cycling once breeding commences.
Step 6
Another really important job is to have as many cows eligible for breeding once mating begins. We need to get our problem cow list together and get these animals scanned and checked before breeding.
These cows are often ok but early intervention will mean actions can be taken now.
Problem cows are
- Any cow who had a hard calving or twins
- Any cow you have seen that is dirty or had retained placentas
- Cows with LDAs, bad mastitis or have been sick since calving
- All thin cows under 2.75 BCS
Your vet can assess these using US scan and some cows can even receive hormonal treatments to help bring them back around.
Metrichecking cows is also a very useful tool prebreeding to identify dirty cows. These cows benefit from intrauterine washouts or intrauterine antibiotic treatments.
Step 7
Don’t forget your heifers, make sure they are at the right weight and size. We want our heifer’s calving in early, so once cycling consider synchronization programs.
Step 8
Observe observe observe
When breeding commences you will have your maximum number of cows eligible for breeding. Heat detection becomes a vital task as breeding begins. Use all means necessary for effective heat detection. It only gets harder as numbers decline meaning that the second half of the game can be where the wining is done.
With the tail paint clip the rump and apply tail paint. Top up weekly if needed. Also with heifers crayons and scratch cards work really well.
Cows are more likely to show signs of heat early morning and late evening. The more observation the more success. If using electronic detection aids still observe to make sure things are creating and working.
As breeding continues, call in the expert for the job. The vasectomized bull is worth his weight in gold after 6 weeks of breeding. Have enough of these bulls and use a chin ball with paint topped up weekly. Remember these bulls are entire so take care handling and restraining them.
Step 9
Have all vaccinations done in advance of breeding particularly leptospirosis? Make sure all mineral supplementation is being done particularly iodine selenium and copper. No, your deficiencies so you can supplement more accurately.
Conclusion
Follow these steps for a more successful breeding season. As breeding continues, focus must be maintained. Regular 3 weekly interventions where you reassess problem cows and get all cows scanned greater than 35 days not seen bulling (in heat).
After the first 3 weeks start considering synchronization programs on cows to tighten your calving period. Work with your vet around the use of sync programs and your problem cows.
Thought for the day
Never be afraid to reach out for help when needed. Failure and struggle are not signs of weakness, those who can admit to these are often stronger than those who pretend otherwise. On farm reach out to experts and people who can help improve your farming systems. More profitable and productive systems will allow you to focus on what is important in life.
Huge thanks to Nettex in helping support me in making this series for more information click the link here http://www.net-tex.co.uk
Happy safe farming