PATH TO PREGNANCY - Semex

PATH TO PREGNANCY

Nick Sarbacker, Semex USA Product Support Specialist

Van Doske Farms LLC Cleveland, WI, USA 325 Holstein Cows • 39% Conception Rate Bob & Richard Van Doske, owners of Van Doske Farms LLC, know the importance of reproduction in maximizing their dairy profits. Their family has been in the dairy business for 75 years, and currently farms 750 acres and milks 325 Holstein cows near Cleveland, Wisconsin. The Van Doskes have been using Semex sires for more than 5 years, and were so pleased with their fertility results that they switched to 100% Semex service sires two years ago. They also participate in the Semex USA Premier young sire program and have their herd mated regularly with the Semex mating program. Getting cows pregnant regularly at Van Doske Farms has always been their goal, in order to provide a steady stream of fresh cows necessary to keep a high average daily milk production and ultimately bring more profits to the operation. As of March of 2008 their rolling herd average was 12,112 kgs milk, with 3.88% 467 fat and 3.09% 372 kgs protein. Tracking the herd’s reproductive results from Dairy Comp 305 helps determine which sires have had the best fertility results in the herd, as well as which synchronization programs are most effective. Bob Van Doske manages the reproductive program for the herd and attributes their success in getting cows pregnant to cow comfort, correct thawing & insemination technique, synchronization protocols, frequent veterinary checks as well as the use of Semex high fertility sires. Two years ago Bob took a more active role in the day-to-day management of the reproductive program, attending a Semex A.I. school instructed by Camilo Montana, Semex Reproductive Specialist. Bob says, “Knowing the right timing of insemination and correct semen handling protocol have been key to maximizing conception.” Facilities have also been a big part of managing reproduction. “A new freestall barn with head-locks was constructed about one and a half years ago for milk cows, making it much easier to conduct vet checks, administer shots and inseminate cows.” Bob says, “Sprinklers and fans were put in to help keep cows cool and maintain higher conception rates during hot summer months.” Using ultrasound vet checks weekly with the herd veterinarian, Dr. Sara Gilbertson DVM, has allowed Bob to streamline the herd’s synchronization program giving a systematic approach to administering shots and getting cows inseminated. With Dr. Gilbertson’s recommendation, every cow is started on their presynch program at around 30 days in milk, which puts their first breeding at about 70 days in milk.

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Over the past year this has helped them average a 46% conception rate on their pre-synch program. Dr.

Gilbertson says that many of the herds she works with have success with similar pre-synch programs. The Van Doskes currently have the highest conception rate of the herds she works with for their cows on the presynch program.

Braedale Pagewire, Pursuit September Storm*RC, Diamond-Oak Frosty, Blue-Haven-Ltd Brick and Ladino Park Talent*RC, as well as additional Semex Premier young sires. When evaluating the effectiveness of any reproductive program, Conception Rates don’t tell the whole story. A common measurement of reproductive performance used at Van Doske’s is Pregnancy Rate, which measures the percentage of pregnancy eligible cows that actually become pregnant during a 21-day heat cycle. The two factors that influence pregnancy rate are Conception Rate and Service Rate (heat detection rate). Conception Rate is the number of cows that become pregnant divided by the number of cows inseminated. Service Rate is the number of cows inseminated, divided by the number of cows pregnancy eligible during a 21-day cycle.

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The synchcronization program and weekly vet checks at Van Doske farms has helped increase the service rate, especially on first service with their pre-synch protocol. Over the past year Bob inseminated an average of 61% of all eligible cows for any given 21day cycle period based on the voluntary waiting period of 72 days (defined by the pre-synch protocol). On average the Conception Rate for those breedings was 39% for the year, which Bob attributes to a lot of factors including cow comfort and use of Semex high fertility sires.

Van Doske Farms’ veterinarian Dr. Sara Gilbertson DVM pregnancy checking with Bob Van Doske.

Van • • • • • •

Doske Farms Pre-Synch Protocol Day 1 (approx. 30 DIM) (Prostaglandin 1) Day 14 (44 DIM) (Prostaglandin 2) Day 28 (58 DIM) (GnRH) Day 35 (65 DIM) (Prostaglandin) 56 hours later (GnRH) 12-16 hours later (A.I.)

Fertility is a top priority in selecting mating sires. Bob works with Chris Sheahan, Semex District Sales Representative, in selecting sires that meet his herd’s needs and is a true believer in the value of genetics. “I select bulls that are high production with good components, and especially bulls that excel in their feet and legs as well as the udder traits.”

By multiplying the Conception Rate x Service Rate you will see that the Van Doske’s average pregnancy rate for the past year is about 24%, which is considerably higher than the estimated national average of 15%. Managing the reproductive program in any dairy operation can be challenging, utilizing high fertility sires and synchronization programs that simplify heat detection can help boost pregnancy rates. Bob Van Doske has been very successful at using the tools and resources available in order to maximize reproductive performance in his herd.

Bob prefers to use high reliability bulls and proven fertility sires, so he can use them with confidence. Currently Bob has had a lot of fertility success in the milking herd with bulls such as Stouder Morty,

60 50 40

Bri ck

31 Breedings

Fro sty

74 Breedings

Se pt Sto rm

63 Breedings

Pa ge wir e

90 Breedings

Mo rty

60 Breedings

0

112 Breedings

Percent Conception 30 in Milking Cows 20 on 6 Semex 10 Sires

Tal en t *R C

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