Regular reproduction continues to be a challenge in dairy herds across the country. Researchers at the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory of USDA have reported regional and national statistics on reproduction (Norman et al., 2009). Those statistics were obtained from DHI records from …

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Cost of Repeat Breeders 3 Possible Solutions to Reduce the Number of Repeat Breeders 3.1 Strengthening Your Estrus Detection 3.2 Embryo Transfer 3.3 Administration of GnRH at Insemination 3.4 Administration of hCG Following AI 3.5 Continued AI vs. Natural Service 3.6 Resynchronization of Non-Pregnant Cows 4 Conclusion 5 Author Information 6 References

Introduction

The cost of low fertility to the cattle industry was …

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Prostaglandin Injection Programs 2.1 Weekly Prostaglandin Program 3 Targeted Breeding 4 Ovulation Synchronization 5 Author Information

Introduction

Research has shown that pregnant cows survive 420 days longer than herdmates that were open. A cow must be pregnant by 85 days postpartum in order to achieve optimum milk production and calve every 12½ months. Ninety percent of the cows in a well-managed herd should …

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Technology 3 Random Chance and Sexed Semen Results 4 Economic Considerations 4.1 Calf prices 4.2 Semen prices 4.3 Sexed semen fertility in heifers 4.4 Sexed semen fertility in cows 4.5 Effect of service number on heifer conception risks 4.6 Age of first calving 4.7 Genetic progress 4.8 Dystocia 5 Calculations for Heifers 6 Calculations for Cows 7 Other Considerations 8 Summary 9 Author Information 10 References

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Introduction

It is well known that daughters of sires available through artificial insemination (A.I.) produce more milk than daughters of sires used in natural service. Cows sired by proven A.I. sires have been shown to be $148 more profitable in a fluid milk market during their lifetime. These daughters live one month longer and produce more than 1,400 kg more milk during their lifetime.

Use of incorrect A.I. techniques can lower the overall success rate of the A.I. breeding program. …

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Body Condition Score and Reproductive Performance 3 High Feed Consumption and Reproductive Efficiency Are Linked by High Hormone Metabolism 3.1 Duration of Estrus 3.2 Double Ovulation Rate 4 How Does High Milk Production Change Duration of Estrus or Double Ovulation Rate? 5 Practical Implications for Reproductive Management 6 Author Information 7 References

Introduction

Reproductive efficiency is declining on U.S. dairy herds. There are …

Introduction

Getting dairy cattle rebred in a timely fashion is critical for dairy farm profitability. To accomplish this objective, information is provided on artificial insemination in dairy cattle, improving the detection of heat cycles, methods of pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle, and dairy cow reproductive management.

Dairy Reproduction Videos

• Assessment of an Activity Monitoring System for Detection of Estrus and Timing of Artificial Insemination in Lactating Dairy Cows
• Checklist for Nutritional Aspects for Improving Reproductive Efficiency
• Dairy Cow Synchronization Protocol

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 Return to Estrus as a Diagnostic Indicator of Pregnancy Status 3 Pregnancy Loss in Dairy Cattle 4 Attributes of the Ideal Pregnancy Test 5 Transrectal Palpation 6 B-Mode Ultrasonography 7 On Farm Implementation of Early Nonpregnancy Diagnosis 8 Field Trial: Integrating Systematic Synchronization with Transrectal Ultrasonography 9 The Challenges for Early Pregnancy Diagnosis 10 Conclusion 11 Literature Cited 12 Author

Introduction

Early identification …

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Incidence of Anovulation 3 Causes of Anovulation 3.1 Physiology Underlying Anovulation 3.2 On-Farm Factors Associated with Anovulation 3.2.1 Milk Production 3.2.2 Body Condition Score 3.2.3 Age 3.2.4 Summary of Risk Factors 4 Prevention of Anovulation by Non-Hormonal Treatments 5 Hormonal Treatments of Anovular Cow 6 Conclusions 7 Literature Cited

Introduction

Negative effects of anovulation on reproductive performance of cattle have been reported during …

Contents 1 Take Home Messages 2 Age at First Calving 3 Age at First Breeding 4 Artificial Insemination 5 Industry Trends for Use of Artificial Insemination in Dairy Heifers 6 Deciding When to Breed 7 Measuring Reproductive Performance 8 Reproductive Performance 9 Development of New Controlled Breeding Programs for Dairy Heifers 9.1 Experiment 1 (Rivera et al., 2004) 9.2 Experiment 2 (Rivera et al., 2003) 10 Effect of Inseminator on PR/AI 11 Conclusion 12 References 13 Author

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