diary production lec 11+12

Question 1

what is incalf and what is its role in the industry

Answer 1

• in calf
  o National program collected data from across Australia
   program to advise farmers of areas of improvement in repro
   not necessarily representative
• fertility focus report
  o planned national standard
  o repro data from farms sent to in calf, generate a fertility focus report

Question 2

what is submission rate

Answer 2

• Submission rates - % inseminated

Question 3

how long is gestation

Answer 3

285 days

Question 4

how long is uterine involution

Answer 4

40-50 days

Question 5

how long is a cycle in a cow

Answer 5

14-21 dyas

Question 6

how long is there between conception and mating

Answer 6

have 80 days to get in calf

Question 7

how long is the typical VWP

Answer 7

60 days

Question 8

what is in-calf rate

Answer 8

• In-calf rates - % pregnant in a certain period

Question 9

what is conception rate

Answer 9

• Conception rates - % inseminations that lead to a pregnancy

Question 10

what is the conception rate for ai

Answer 10

o > 50% for AI

 AI can achieve higher

Question 11

what is the conception rate in heifers

Answer 11

o heifers 60%

 if they are at target weight

Question 12

what is non return and what is its aim

Answer 12

o Non-return rates aim 60%

 want all the cows that were inseminated to NOT return to heat

Question 13

what are the 7 factors that contribute to poor repro according to fertility focus reports

Answer 13

vwp
heat detection
ai practises
bull management
heifer rearing
BCS
cow health

Question 14

when should heat detection take place

Answer 14

 Observation

• 3 x 30mins in paddock a day

Question 15

what is the general rule for bull:cow ratio

Answer 15

 1 Bull/35-50 Heifers

• +1 for safety

Question 16

what BCS should cows be in?

Answer 16

around 3
	calving heifers
•	4.5 – 5.5 / 8 OR 2.75 – 3.5 / 5 
	early lactation
•	Cows calving above 5.5/8 (3.5/5) at most risk of ketosis 
	late lactation 
•	4.5/8 (2.75/5) 
	dry period
•	Calve at 4.5 – 5.5 / 8 (2.75 – 3.5 / 5)

Question 17

how long should a transition diet last in cows

Answer 17

• transition diet +/- 3 weeks from calving

* reduce risk of acidosis

Question 18

how is the overall repro measured in fertility focus

Answer 18

% herd in calf
 overall repro performance of herd
• 100 day in calf
• 200 day not in calf

Question 19

what drives incalf rate

Answer 19

o drivers of incalf rate
 80 day submission rate
 non return rate
 conception rate

Question 20

what are the key fertility management areas

Answer 20

	VMP
	mature cow submission 
	return intervals
	first calver milk production
	AI practises

Question 21

what would drive poor conception rates

Answer 21

o	Timing of AI 
o	Inaccuracy of heat detection 
o	Poor AI technique 
o	Poor semen quality 
o	Poor body condition at calving or XS weight loss after calving 
o	Reproductive tract disease 
- cysts and vibrosis

Question 22

what are the 2 types of cystic ovaries and what do they cause

Answer 22

	Cystic ovaries 
•	follicular cyst
o	produce oestrogen increasing cycling
•	luteal cyst
o	produce progesterone body thinks pregnant so don’t cycle

Question 23

what is the benefit of improved fertility

Answer 23

• benefit of improved fertility
  o increase time in lactation= decreased efficiency of feed used
  o fewer cows culled for repro
  need calf to get milk