Fertility- FAQ
Regular Health, Fertility & Production Visits
Why get on top of fertility management in your herd?
o Poor fertility reduces the amount of milk & calves produced.
o Poor fertility increases the numbers of cull cows.
o Recent economic calculations have found that for each day's delay over 365 calving index there is a cost of £5-8 per cow in the herd.
o FOR A 150 HEAD HERD WITH A CALVING INDEX OF 415 DAYS THIS IS £37,500 PER YEAR
o Every additional unnecessary cull costs at least a further £1500.
o A REDUCTION IN CULLING FOR INFERTILITY OF 7 COWS WOULD SAVE £10,500
o Knowing cows' stage of pregnancy helps to manage dry cows more efficiently and facilitates the prediction of future herd production.
Why Shorten the Calving Index closer to 365 days?
The area below the curves represent the amount of milk produced, it is clear that more milk is produced from three 10 month lactations (green) compared with two 16 monthers (red). Plus you get the extra calf with three lactations.
Which Cows should be checked?
o Cows served 5-9 weeks for Pregnancy Diagnosis (PD).
o Cows 50 days calved which haven't been seen bulling.
o Cows which have retained cleansings.
o Cows which have had difficult calvings, twins or milk fever.
o Cows with whites (endometritis) or abnormal discharges two or more weeks after calving.
o Cows with abnormal cycle lengths (under 17 days, over 26 days).
o Cows served three or more times.
o Any cows that have aborted or shown heat after a positive PD.
How often do you need a visit?
o Less than 75 milkers every 4 weeks
o 75-200 cows every 2 weeks
o 200+ cows once a week
How can we help you to improve your herd's fertility?
o Improve Submission Rate
o Maximise heat detection
o Ensure cows are healthy when you are ready to serve them
o Choose the best Voluntary Waiting Period for your herd
o Optimise your herd's Pregnancy Rate
o Regular fertility visits
o Ensure cows are clean and ready to serve
o Treat cows that have not been seen bulling
o Accurately identify pregnant cows
o Monitor & advise on optimum feeding and body condition
How can we help you with managing and monitoring herd performance and fertility?
We have a selection of battery and mains operated portable ultrasound scanners.
Using Interherd and Herd Companion computer programmes we can produce quarterly reports on milk production, quality and fertility to detect any minor problems before they become serious costs.
For more information speak to one of the Farm Animal team today!
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