We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
Despite all of the advances in technology and synchronization protocols in recent years, many producers still find themselves struggling to consistently achieve high reproductive performance.
Although attributing mediocre results to genetics or high production is interesting conversation, as managers and consultants, we are continuing to learn how to improve reproductive profits through effective monitoring of data, optimization of cow comfort and transition programs.
Are you interested in making an extra $60 per heifer? What kind of difference would that make to your bottom line?
Many dairies I work with have the opportunity to reduce heifer-raising costs by at least $60 per head. On some operations, potential savings is even higher.
Dairies that routinely achieve pregnancy rates of 20 percent or higher in the milking herd often find their heifers are calving for the first time at 25 months old or later. That extra month beyond the recommended 24 months at first calving adds around $60 in feed costs alone, in addition to other costs associated with housing, labor and so forth.
In April 2010, AIPL began to make adjustments to PTAs on cows with genomic tests available. These adjustments were necessary because PTAs on highly selected, genomically tested cows did not improve accuracy of genomic predictions.
April proofs highlight three top-five Milk bulls for IPS
The April sire summaries yielded unprecedented results for International Protein sires.
“The IPS proven Holstein lineup saw great achievements resulting from the April proofs. IPS now has three proven Holsteins in the top five for milk, an industry accomplishment not seen in recent times.
In addition, type traits associated with IPS bulls advance with each sire summary,” commented Ron Sersland, President and CEO of IPS.
A new Genex Cooperative, Inc. program can determine the best mating option for a cow or heifer based on the animal’s genomic PTAs (GPTAs) rather than phenotypic scores, performance, parent averages or pedigree indexes. This genomic mating program, G-MAP, is the newest technology available in the genomic revolution.
In an increasingly competitive and complex industry, producers are looking for an edge.
Whether making nutritional decisions for herd management, conducting research to learn more about how genetics can improve traits such as milk production or managing more with less, today’s dairy producers are getting busier every day.
Dairy producers now have a new approved protocol available for the synchronization of estrus in lactating dairy cows. FDA approval has been granted exclusively for the concurrent use of LUTALYSE (dinoprost tromethamine) Sterile Solution and Eazi-Breed CIDR Cattle Insert in dairy and beef breeding programs.
to jump to the article.
Summary: Since genomics testing officially began in January of 2009, it has developed a wider application in the dairy industry. During a producer roundtable discussion, held by Alta Genetics in January 2011, Nate Zwald explained how genomics testing their herds can ultimately improve the genetic progress of their operations.
Because this article was so popular, we asked Zwald a follow-up question:
Q: What factors make it profitable for a herd to genomic test their females?
A: Genomic testing females can be a profitable part of a complete genetic plan, but the investment cost needs to be weighed against the benefit. Here are some points to consider:
1. You have to take action on the results of a genomic test. Without different decisions than you would do otherwise, you have no opportunity to benefit from this testing. Too often I have heard about "introductory testing" which is done, and results received, but nothing was done with them.
to jump to the article.
Summary: This January 1st article provided information about traits to look for when developing a grazing cow, including fertility, longevity and the preferred size and breed of the animal. We asked LIC USA's Phil Wicks, author of this article, to provide a video interview, describing steps to take when building the ideal grazing herd. We featured this video in the September 12th Progressive Dairyman Extra e-newsletter.
With the enormous buzz about genomics, many questions surface about how a commercial dairyman should use this technology: How will genomics affect the industry? Should I use some, all or no genomic bulls?
RSS
