Reproductive Management Considerations for Herd Expansion CLIFF LAMB 1
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SEMEN SALES IN USA AND BRAZIL FROM 1995 TO 2014 16 14 USA Brazil Units of semen, x 10 6 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20102011201220132014 Year (NAAB and ASBIA, 2011) FACTORS AFFECTING FERTILITY IN COWS Postpartum anestrus Suckling stimulus Age Genetics Nutrition Reproductive management Plane of nutrition Body composition Animal handling 4
FACTORS AFFECTING FERTILITY IN HEIFERS Body weight Age Genetics Nutrition Reproductive management Rate of gain Plane of nutrition Body composition Animal handling UF NFREC CASE STUDY 5
Pregnancy has 4 times greater economic impact than any other production trait! MY EXPECTATIONS FOREVERY FEMALE IN THE HERD Must calve by 24 months of age Cow must have a calf every 365 days Cow must calve without assistance Cow must provide sufficient resources for the calf to reach it s genetic potential Calf must be genetically capable to perform Cows must maintain their body condition score for my conditions Must not be crazy (disposition) 6
KEY MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS Only retain heifers that become pregnant during the first 25 days of the breeding season INFLUENCE OF CALVING PERIOD ON REPRODUCTIVE LONGEVITY (Cushman et al., 2012) 7
INFLUENCE OF CALVING PERIOD ON WEANING WEIGHTS (Cushman et al., 2012) Estrous cyclicity responses of heifers of distinct body conditions to energy restriction and repletion 8
BCS 3 BCS 5 BCS 7 IMPACT OF CHANGE IN BCS ON REPRODUCTION IN HEIFERS Restriction Re-feeding (FAT) BCS 7?? BCS 5 (MODERATE) Resumption of estrous cycles Termination of estrous cycles Cassady et al., (2009) 9
CHANGE IN BW, BCS AND DAYS TO ANESTRUS DURING FEED RESTRICTION Treatments Item MODERATE FAT Initial BW, lb 937 a 1,136 b Initial BCS 5.0 a 7.1 b BW at anestrus, lb 781 838 BCS at anestrus 3.1 3.3 Days to anestrus 66.5 a 155.9 b Cassady et al., (2009) CHANGE IN BW, BCS AND DAYS TO 1 ST ESTROUS CYCLE AFTER INITIATION OF FEED REPLETION Treatments Item MODERATE FAT BW at anestrus, lb 781 838 BCS at anestrus 3.1 3.3 BW at 1 st estrous cycle, lb 1,003 a 1,131 b BCS at 1 st estrous cycle 5.2 a 6.0 b Days to 1 st estrous cycle 67.7 78.9 Cassady et al., (2009) 10
KEY MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS Only retain heifers that become pregnant during the first 25 days of the breeding season Expose every female in the operation to estrous synchronization and artificial insemination We know how to synchronize cows! 11
ESTROUS SYNCHRONIZATION AND AI INBEEF CATTLE ESTROUS SYNCHRONIZATION AND AI INBEEF CATTLE 12
TAI FOR BEEFCOWS TAI FOR BEEFHEIFERS 13
LOCATION/HERD EFFECTS (Larson et al., 2006) PRIMARY REASONS FOR CHOOSING NOT TO ES/AI Too many hassle factors!!! 14
PRIMARY REASONS FOR CHOOSING NOT TO ES/AI Complicated protocols and sire selection PRIMARY REASONS FOR CHOOSING NOT TO ES/AI Reliable facilities 15
PRIMARY REASONS FOR CHOOSING NOT TO ES/AI Labor for AI and administering products PRIMARY REASONS FOR CHOOSING NOT TO ES/AI TIME! 16
KEY MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS Only retain heifers that become pregnant during the first 25 days of the breeding season Expose every female in the operation to estrous synchronization and artificial insemination Reduce the length of the breeding season UF NFREC CASE STUDY 17
UF NFREC CASE STUDY 2006 Start breeding season Remove bulls 1 120 2007 Start breeding season Remove bulls 1 120 2008 AI heifers AI cows AI late calving cows AI late, late calving cows Remove bulls 1 8 49 70 110 UF NFREC CASE STUDY 2009 AI heifers AI cows AI late calving cows AI late, late calving cows Remove bulls 1 8 2010 AI heifers AI cows 49 65 88 AI late calving cows Remove bulls 1 8 2011 AI heifers AI cows 49 80 AI late calving cows Remove bulls 1 8 49 75 18
UF NFREC CASE STUDY 2012 AI heifers AI cows Remove bulls 1 8 70 2013 AI heifers AI cows Remove bulls 1 8 72 UF NFREC CASE STUDY 120 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 100 Percentage 80 60 40 20 0 1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91 101 111 121 131 141 Calving day 19
UF NFREC CASE STUDY Breeding season pregnancy rates: Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 PR 81% 86% 84% 86% 82% 94% 92% 93% Mean calving day 79.2 80.9 59.2 56.2 53.7 47.2 39.5 38.7 BS length 120 120 110 88 80 75 70 72 UF NFREC CASE STUDY Change in calf value: Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Mean calving day Difference from 2006/2007 Per calf increase in value Herd increase in value 79.2 80.9 59.2 56.2 53.7 47.2 39.5 38.7 0 0 21.7 24.7 27.2 33.7 41.4 42.2 0 0 $87 $99 $109 $135 $166 $169 0 0 $19,100 $29,700 $32,700 $40,500 $49,800 $50,700 20
PREGNANCY RATES BY HERDS 80 70 60 56.9 62.1 65.8 Pregnancy rate, % 50 40 30 20 45.2 44.4 50.4 45.2 48.5 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Herd DISTRIBUTION OF DAYS POSTPARTUM HERD 1 25 20 Standard deviation: Herd 1 5.6 days % 15 10 5 0 34 44 54 64 74 84 94 104 114 124 Days postpartum 21
DISTRIBUTION OF DAYS POSTPARTUM HERD 5 25 20 Standard deviation: Herd 5 16.9 days % 15 10 5 0 34 44 54 64 74 84 94 104 114 124 Days postpartum CALVING DISTRIBUTION AFTER EXPOSURE TO Planned 1 st day of calving season 10 BULLS 64 days postpartum at start of next breeding season! % calving 5 44% 43% of cows < 50 DPP at start of the next breeding season 0 1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 Calving season day 22
10 CALVING DISTRIBUTION AFTER EXPOSURE TO AI AND ES Planned 1 st day of calving season 79 days postpartum at start of next breeding season! % calving 5 88% 7% of cows < 50 DPP at start of the next breeding season 0 1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 Calving season day KEY MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS Only retain heifers that become pregnant during the first 25 days of the breeding season Expose every female in the operation to estrous synchronization and artificial insemination Reduce the length of the breeding season Don t be afraid to cull non productive females! 23
CHANGEINVALUEBASEDONHERDSIRECOSTS Bull Value Item $3,000 $6,000 $10,000 Increased returns (increased value of AI calves) $97.22 $97.22 $97.22 Decreased costs decreased costs of clean up bulls) Decreased returns (Attributed to fewer clean up bulls included in decreased costs calculation) Increased costs (additional labor, semen, AI supplies, etc.) $32.11 $61.35 $100.34 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $44.60 $44.60 $44.60 Gain per cow exposed to AI $84.73 $113.97 $152.97 Gain per 34 head operation $2,881 $3,875 $5,201 Gain per 100 head operation $7,446 $9,434 $12,086 24
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http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/aicowculator.shtml 26
THANK YOU! Contact Information: Cliff Lamb University of Florida 3925 HWY 71 Marianna, FL 32446 Tel: 850-526-1612 Email: gclamb@ufl.edu 27