Breeding Heifers

Mark Carson Reproductive Specialist, EastGen

Outline of Presentation

Losses Due to Delayed First Calving

Goals of a Heifer Program

When to Breed

Insemination Tools

Genetic Consideration

Other Consideration

Summary

Losses due to Delayed First Calving

Herd Calving in 25 Heifers per Year

Reducing from 26 to 24 months Average Feed Cost $1.97 per day Average Non-Feed Cost $1.32 per day

Average Loss $200 per Heifer $5000 per Year

Plus 4 Less Heifers Generated per Year

C o m p a r is o n A g e @ 1 s t C a lv in g v s P r o d L ife( a ll c o w s ) - C a n W e s t D H I 2 0 0 8 - 0 9

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33 .7 33 .6 33 .3 33 .1 33 .032 .6 32 .6

32 .0 32 .2

31.030 .1 29 .9

2 5

2 7

2 9

3 1

3 3

3 5

3 7

3 9

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A g e @ 1 s t C a lv in g

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(m

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2 1 ,0 0 0

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2 3 ,0 0 0

2 4 ,0 0 0

2 5 ,0 0 0

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Lif

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P ro d L ife L ife t im e M ilk

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 7005

101520253035404550

Age in Months

Milk

Yie

ld (k

g)Ideal Lactation Curve by Age

Measuring Your Performance

Goals at Breeding Average Age at First Calving 24 Months + 60% Conception Rate in Heifers + 60% Insemination Rate in Heifers + 36% Pregnancy Rate in Heifers

Goals at First Calving <7% Stillbirth Rate on 1st Lactation Cows <5% Hard Calving

When to Breed a Heifer

Breeding Recommendations Age = 13 months Weight = 875 lb (396 kg) Wither Height = 50 in (127 cm)

Calving Recommendations Age at first calving = 22 - 24 months Weight = 1250 lb (567 kg) post-calving Wither Height = 55 in (140 cm)

Insemination Tools

Insemination Tools

Activity Monitoring

Timed A.I. Protocols

Other Breeding Tools

Activity Monitoring

Activity Monitoring in Heifer’s Becoming Popular Option

Can Help to Lower Age at First Calving

24 Hour Coverage, Good for Facilities where Heifer are Out of Site.

Activity Monitoring

Recent Survey Done on CanWest Customers found that 42% of Activity Monitoring Systems were on Heifers

Lack of Time and Desire to Improve Performance were the Main Reason for Installing the System

Timed A.I. for Heifers Timed A.I. Solutions for Problem Breeders

Help Reach the Goal of 24 Months

Discussion Options with your Herd Veterinarian

Other Insemination Tools

Tail Chalking

Heatmount Detectors/Kamar Heat Detectors

Genetic Considerations for Heifers

Genetics

Maximizing Genetic Gain

Calving Ease

Sexed Semen

Maximize Genetic Gain

Breed All Heifers by AI Herd Bulls can cost you

~400 kg of milk (Overton and Sischo, 2005) Inability to Control Matings (Inbreeding) Unknown Calving Ease of Unproven Sire

Mate Heifers to Maximize Genetic Gain

Possible Gains from Using Genomics

Calving Ease

Hard Calving have Devastating Impact Effects Milk Production

2 kg/day less milk Effects Fertility

Average Open for 28 Days Longer Effects the Health of the Calf

Produce 700 kg less milk

Pregnancy Rate by Calving Ease

DHI Calving EASE Score

Herd #1 Herd #2 Herd #3

Unassisted 24% 27% 20%Easy 25% 23% 18%Hard 17% 13% 10%Difference (Hard – Unassisted)

7% 14% 10%

*All Herds Maintain a 60% Insemination Rate

Pregnancy Rate by Calving Ease

DHI Calving EASE Score

Herd #1 Herd #2 Herd #3

Unassisted 24% 27% 20%Easy 25% 23% 18%Hard 17% 13% 10%Difference (Hard – Unassisted)

7% 14% 10%

*All Herds Maintain a 60% Insemination Rate

Sexed Semen Commonly used in Heifers

~90% Heifers will Result

Used to Grow Herd Internally

Other Considerations

AI Breeding

Have Appropriate Handling Facility

AI Equipment near Heifer’s Semen Tank Thawing Equipment Clean AI Breeding tools

Open Checking Heifers Routinely Check Heifers for Pregnancy

Routinely Move Heifers into Breeding Group

Take Action on Open Heifers

Record and Monitor Results

Measuring Your Performance

Goals at Breeding Average Age at First Calving 24 Months + 60% Conception Rate in Heifers + 60% Insemination Rate in Heifers + 36% Pregnancy Rate in Heifers

Goals at First Calving <7% Stillbirth Rate on 1st Lactation Cows <5% Hard Calving

Thank You!

QUESTIONS???