An economic evaluation of management strategies to mitigate the negative effect of twinning in dairy herds

Abstract

Our objectives were to develop an economic model to estimate the economic impact of twinning in dairy cows and to evaluate management strategies to mitigate the negative economic impact of twinning in dairy herds. A probabilistic tree considering spontaneous embryo reduction, early pregnancy loss, abortion, metritis, retained placenta, and culling rate at 120 d of the second, at the end of the second, and at the end of the third lactation was developed for a single pregnancy; we also developed 3 management options upon diagnosis of a twin pregnancy: (1) do nothing, (2) induce abortion using PGF, or (3) attempt manual embryo reduction. A value was given to each branch of the tree by simulating cow states on a farm for 1,400 d to encompass 4 consecutive lactations. The incomes considered in the simulations included milk income over feed cost, income from calves, and slaughter value upon culling. The expenses taken into account depending on each branch included additional inseminations and synchronization protocols, embryo reduction, induction of abortion, replacement heifers, and costs due to metritis and retained placenta. The gross value for a singleton pregnancy and the 3 management options upon diagnosis of a twin pregnancy were calculated by adding the value of all braches multiplied by their probability. The costs for the 3 management options were calculated by subtracting its gross value minus the gross value of a singleton pregnancy. The negative economic impact of a twin pregnancy ranged from $97 to $225 depending on the type of twin pregnancy (unilateral vs. bilateral), parity, and DIM when the twin pregnancy occurred. The overall negative economic impact of twinning on dairy farm profitability in the United States was estimated to be $96 million per year. Attempting manual embryo reduction early during gestation upon diagnosis of a twin pregnancy was the optimal management strategy for mitigating the negative economic impact of twinning under a wide variety of scenarios.

Improved embryo survival following follicular drainage of subordinate follicles for twin pregnancy prevention in bi-ovular dairy cows

“…While twin births are welcome for the economy of beef cattle breeding [4][5][6], twin pregnancy is not desirable in dairy cattle. With an economic burden of up to $225 per twin pregnancy [7], the risk of pregnancy loss during the first trimester of gestation for cows carrying twins may be three to seven times higher than for cows carrying singletons [1]. Besides pregnancy loss, the reproductive performance and productive lifespan of a cow delivering twins are greatly reduced.…”

“…As an example, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment during pregnancy diagnosis (days 28-34 post-artificial insemination [AI]) increases pregnancy survival in cows carrying twins and is accompanied by an increase in the spontaneous twin reduction rate [9]. Under field conditions, manual rupture of the amniotic vesicle or transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of allanto-amniotic fluid may reduce twinning [1,7]. However, hormone therapy does not prevent twinning and inducing twin reduction may increase the risk of pregnancy loss.…”

Technical note: Droplet digital PCR as a new molecular method for a simple and reliable diagnosis of freemartinism in cattle

“…The occurrence of twinning in Holstein Friesian cattle is about 5% but can reach 10% or more in some herds (Andreu-Vázquez et al, 2012;Lett and Kirkpatrick, 2018). The twinning rate has increased over time and the trend is likely to continue (Mur-Novales et al, 2018). As a consequence, the incidence of freemartinism is also expected to increase.…”

Naturally monozygotic quadruplets in a Braford cow confirmed by DNA analysis: A case report

“…In recent years, the number of twins has consistently increased, concordantly to the use of artificial stimulation and other reproduction technologies (Silva Del Río, Stewart, Rapnicki, Chang, & Fricke, 2007). However, there is no consensus regarding the economical outcome between the benefits of a more prolific female and the disadvantages of increased risk at partum and postpartum (Fitzgerald, Berry, Carthy, Cromie, & Ryan, 2014; Morris, Wheeler, Levet, & Kirkpatrick, 2010; Mur‐Novales, Lopez‐Gatius, Fricke, & Cabrera, 2018). Pregnancies with more than two calves are rarely reported (Fischer & Hofmeister, 2013).…”