Improving dairy herd reproductive efficiency
Do we need rectal palpations?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol1995no29p53-57Keywords:
cows, dairy cows, dairy herds, efficiency, female fertility, management, monitoring, pregnancy diagnosis, progesterone, prostaglandins, rectal palpation, reproduction, reproductive disorders, ultrasonics, ultrasoundAbstract
The paper discusses the necessity of rectal palpation in herd fertility monitoring and records the results of a trial in 3200-dairy-cow units where any cows calved >65 days with no service record were given routine prostaglandin (Estrumate, 500 µg) injection. Any cows not served following injection were re-injected 2 weeks later until served. Progesterone assays of milk were carried out on the day of injection and low-progesterone cows (<2 ng/ml) had a PRDI inserted. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out 32-42 days after service by ultrasound scanner. 23% of the cows entered the prostaglandin injection scheme and 73% of them were served within 19 days after the 1st injection. Reduction in calving to 1st service, calving to conception and calving intervals were observed in all herds compared to the previous breeding season figures. The authors suggest that good reproductive results can be achieved without rectal palpation in dairy herds.
