Reproductive management of seasonal calving dairy herds

Abstract

Background: Seasonal calving herds account for around a fifth of dairy farms in the UK (AHDB 2016). Their structure allows focused farm management and seasonal labour requirements, as well as the opportunity to maximise the conversion of grazed grass into milk. However, their economic success is underpinned by a requirement for optimal reproductive management, and for this reason a thorough understanding of how to approach fertility in these herds is essential for veterinary surgeons involved in their management.Aim of the article: This article explains the concept of seasonal calving systems, the impacts of poor fertility, the key performance indicators used to monitor performance in clinical practice, and the key areas where improvements can be made.

Reproductive Performance and Partial Budget Analysis of a Prostaglandin or a Modified Ovsynch Protocol in Autumn Calving Dairy Herds

“…Improvements require submission and conception rates to be maximized, particularly at the beginning of breeding [ 6 ]. For this reason, estrus detection is usually performed prior to the mating start date [ 7 , 8 ], allowing cows without an observed estrus to be swiftly identified and treated.…”