Reproduction Flashcards
what is the most important aspect for profitability of suckler herds?
fertility (weaned calves per cows served)
why can poor fertility cause lower weaning weight in suckler herds?
calves usually weaned at same time, every cycle the cow doesn’t conceive is 21 days less of growth (25kg)
what are some variable costs of suckler farms?
labour
feed
bedding
veterinary expense…
what are some factors to consider to maximise suckler herd production?
cow fertility
calf management
restricted and best breeding season
bull fertility
good herd health
breeding/record evaluation
replacement management (heifer management)
what are the aims for number of calves weaned per cows to the bull? (for 100 cows)
> 88 calves
what weight should you aim for calves to be at weaning compared to the weight of their mother?
> 45% of weight (depends on size of cow)
how can overall performance of suckler herds be monitored?
% pregnant at 21 days
% pregnant at 63 days
median calving date
pregnancy, calving and weaning rate
what are the benefits of a compact calving block for sucklers?
improve reproductive fitness of cows
better environment/season
easier/greater heifer selection
management/routine procedure ease
disease control/risk
reduced labour
strategic nutrition
homogenous group at sale
what is the most sensitive measure of farm/cattle performance on a suckler herd?
look at how tight their calving block is
by what oestrus post service would you expect the majority of cows to be in calf in a suckler herd?
3rd oestrus (80%)
if you’re aiming for a calf a year from suckler herds, how long does a cow how to get pregnant after calving?
roughly 82 days (gestation is roughly 283 days)
when do you want heifers to calve in comparison to the rest of the herd in suckler systems?
few weeks before to give them a longer rest before getting in calf again
when should a suckler cow aim to calf for the first time?
2 years old (may struggle with some native breeds, easier to achieve with continentals)
why should the breeding/calving period of heifers be shorter than that of the rets of the herd? (6 weeks)
rough indication of better fertility
gives her more time to grow/involute before second mating
why is mortality higher in late born calves of suckler herds?
pathogens - older calves, accumulation in calving area, more animals
dystocia risk (cows over conditioned)
less care - fatigue of labour
what are some possible options to reduce a spread-out calving block of a suckler herd?
split into spring and autumn group
cull late calvers and replace with early calved heifers
wean calves earlier and synchronise late calvers with hormones
why would AI be advantageous in suckler herds?
wider genetics and targeted selection
safety, biosecurity, diseases control easier
what are the main issues with nutrition for beef animals?
deficiencies (home made diets)
not maintaining BCS
what effect does copper deficiency have on cattle?
delayed puberty, an oestrus, poor pregnancy rate
what effect does cobalt deficiency have on cattle?
poor conception rate and silent heats
what effect does iodine deficiency have on cattle?
embryonic death, stillbirths and weak calves
what is the tareget BCS for suckler cows at calving?
2.5 (3 for first calving)
what is a good way to address low BCS of suckler cattle?
wean calf earlier to allow more time to gain condition (later if over conditioned) - should always wean early in first time calver
what is the first stage of labour?
dilation of the cervix
how long should the first stage of labour (cervix dilation)?
3-6 hours
what are the signs a cow is in the first stage of labour (cervix dilation)?
separates herself from herd
appetite decreases
restless (standing/lying alternation)
mucous string from vulva
abdominal straining begins
how does abdominal straining stimulate cervical dilation when calving?
pushes uterine content against cervix causing further dilation
what is stage 2 of labour?
delivery of the calf
what happens during the second stage of labour (calf delivery)?
membranes (water bag) appears
water bag ruptures
cervix dilates due to further pressure from calf
powerful reflex and contractions of abdominal muscle and diaphragm expels calf
what is the third stage of labour?
expulsion of the placenta
what are membranes classed as retained?
12 hours after delivery of calf
when should you intervene when a cow is calving?
no progression 1 hour after the water bag starts showing
if there were signs of first stage labour but hasn’t progressed to the second after 6 hours
extreme discomfort is present
significant bleeding from vulva