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Wisconsin dairyman Brian Gerrits attended a large-herd dairy management conference just one year after the worst of the 2009 dairy crisis had passed.
When he came home, he said he realized he needed to start better managing his dairy’s margins.
A topic that has garnered attention throughout the past few years has been the nation’s dairy genetic evaluation system and how it would change when control of genetic evaluations transferred to the dairy industry.
The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB), a multi-entity organization, began working on a plan to ensure the sustainability and future of the dairy genetic evaluation system.
Reproductive management is the profit engine of the dairy. A strong reproductive program delivers a steady pipeline of replacements, providing flexibility in herd management decisions.
A subpar system is a profitability drag on the dairy, resulting in longer lactations, reduced milk production and the purchase of replacement heifers.
Editor’s note: This is the second article in a series following a Wisconsin dairy farm through the Repro Money program, administered by University of Wisconsin Extension.
The first article appeared in the Jan. 1, 2013 issue of Progressive Dairyman. As a reminder, names have been omitted to protect the identity of the farm.
In 2009, the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) was approached with a new idea to extend their reach and presence within the dairy industry – a reproduction awards program.
Since then, the council’s board of directors created a program that honors dairy operations throughout the U.S. for their outstanding performance in herd reproduction.
Stature, rump angle, teat length, teat placement – do they impact longevity and reproduction? In this article, we’ll look at these four linear type traits often thought to impact performance. Perception is not always reality, so we look to the data to find the true answers.
Incorporating advanced reproductive technology programs into the herd health management on dairies can greatly enhance the genetic basis of the herd, which ultimately leads to an increase in profitability.
I meet very few people that enjoy change and more that actually resist it. Not sure why that is, as in my years of being a veterinarian, I have had minimal impact on the changes that continue to impact the dairy industry.
When breeding for long-lasting dairy cows, many producers do not feel they have all the tools, indexes and traits to help guide them to reach their goals.
Surprisingly, the information and indexes that are most important for breeding longevity and efficiency into their herds have been available for quite some time.
Immunity is not solely explained by environmental exposure to foreign agents and other environmental factors such as diet, temperature, housing and so on; additionally, there is an important genetic component to immunity.
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