1. Reproductive Management of Dairy Cows with Particular Reference to Organic Systems Michael G Diskin & Frank Kelly Animal Production Research Centre, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway.

2. Reproduction Biological Efficiency Production Efficiency Profitability1

3. Overall Requirements for Organic Milk Production Systems
Compact seasonal calving patterns,
Maximal production from grazed grass,
Low involuntary culling rates
Continuous genetic improvement of the herd

4. Reproductive Targets Compact Calving: 90% calved in < 80 days
Low Culling Rate for infertility: < 5%.
Calving Interval: 365 day calving-to-calving.

5. Improving Reproductive efficiency
Shortening Post-partum interval
Improving Reproductive efficiency
Submission Rates
Conception Rates

6. Post-Partum Interval Dairy Cows Mean=26 days (15-50 Days)
Beef Cows Mean=55 days ( Day)

7. Postpartum reproduction - cattle
Aim to have a calf per cow per year with peak lactation to correspond with peak grass growth 1 7

8. To Ensure Rapid Onset of Oestrous Cycles Post Calving
Cows calve in a moderate BCS
Ensure high DM intakes post calving & minimise BCS loss – Minimise Negative Energy Balance (NEB)
Calve heifers early
Consistently use Sire with strongly positive sub indices for Fertility

9. Main Factors Affecting Pregnancy Rate
Conception Rate
Pregnancy Rate
Heat Detection Rate

10. The Effect of Different Heat Detection and Conception Rate on % of Herd Pregnant at 90 Days After Onset of Breeding Season

11. Heat Detection

12. Breeding
Use of AI
Heat detection
Factors affecting conception rate

13. Primary Sign of Heat

14. Secondary Signs of Heat
Sliming
Restlessness
Mounting activity
Trailing other cows
Bellowing
Mounting or dirt marks
Skin Marks
Met-oestrous bleeding

15. Mucous vaginal discharge

16. Chin resting

17. Factors affecting the Expression of heat Teagasc, Athenry Results

18. Effect of underfoot surface on number of mounts received per heifer during standing heat.

19. Effect of underfoot surface on duration of heat

20. Effect of number of heifers in heat simultaneously on the number of mounts received heifer during standing heat.

21. Duration of Standing Heat
Average = hours (Range 3-30 hours)
Similar for cows and heifers
Range 3-30 hours
Interruptions in standing activity

22. Pattern of heat Onset

23. Improving heat detection
Commitment and understanding heat behaviour
Tail paint
Oestrus Alert Patches
Teaser Bull

25. Teaser Bulls Use yearling bull Vasectomise 6 weeks before intended use
Fit with chin-ball 2-3 weeks before introduction to herd
Castrate or sell at end of breeding season

29. Management Factors Affecting Conception Rate

30. Reproductive Outcomes British Friesian vs Holstein Friesian

31. Change in BCS and conception rate
10-15% decline in conception for each 0.5 unit change in BCS between calving and AI.

32. Effect of Calving to Service Interval on Conception Rate

33. Effect of AI timing on Conception Rate

34. Effect of Calving Difficulty on Conception Rate

36. Long-term improvement of cow fertility
Use High EBI (Economic Breeding Index sires)
EBI
Production: Yield fat + Protein
Reproduction: Calving interval
Cow survival

37. Summary -1 Calve cows in a moderate BCS
Minimise BCS loss in early lactation.
Have cows gaining in BCS at breeding.
Have heifers well-grown ( kg) at 15 months.
Breed to calve early.
Minimise the risk of calving difficulty .

38. Summary -2
Increase submission rates by paying particular attention to heat detection.
Use tail-paint.
Carry out pre-breeding heat detection.
Ensure that the semen used is of high fertility
Use AI Sires with negative values for calving interval and positive values for survival
Correct AI technique
Inseminate cows at the correct time.