Breeding Heifers

1. Breeding Heifers Mark Carson Reproductive Specialist, EastGen

2. Outline of Presentation • Losses Due to Delayed First Calving • Goals of a Heifer Program • When to Breed • Insemination Tools • Genetic Consideration • Other Consideration • Summary

3. Losses due to Delayed First Calving Herd Calving in 25 Heifers per Year • Reducing from 26 to 24 months • Average Feed Cost $1.97 per day • Average Non-Feed Cost $1.32 per day • Average Loss • $200 per Heifer • $5000 per Year • Plus 4 Less Heifers Generated per Year

5. Ideal Lactation Curve by Age

6. Measuring Your Performance • Goals at Breeding • Average Age at First Calving 24 Months • + 60% Conception Rate in Heifers • + 60% Insemination Rate in Heifers • + 36% Pregnancy Rate in Heifers • Goals at First Calving • <7% Stillbirth Rate on 1st Lactation Cows • <5% Hard Calving

7. When to Breed a Heifer • Breeding Recommendations • Age = 13 months • Weight = 875 lb (396 kg) • Wither Height = 50 in (127 cm) • Calving Recommendations • Age at first calving = 22 - 24 months • Weight = 1250 lb (567 kg) post-calving • Wither Height = 55 in (140 cm)

8. Insemination Tools

9. Insemination Tools • Activity Monitoring • Timed A.I. Protocols • Other Breeding Tools

10. Activity Monitoring • Activity Monitoring in Heifer’s Becoming Popular Option • Can Help to Lower Age at First Calving • 24 Hour Coverage, Good for Facilities where Heifer are Out of Site.

11. Activity Monitoring • Recent Survey Done on CanWest Customers found that 42% of Activity Monitoring Systems were on Heifers • Lack of Time and Desire to Improve Performance were the Main Reason for Installing the System

12. Timed A.I. for Heifers • Timed A.I. Solutions for Problem Breeders • Help Reach the Goal of 24 Months • Discussion Options with your Herd Veterinarian

13. Other Insemination Tools • Tail Chalking • Heatmount Detectors/Kamar Heat Detectors

14. Genetic Considerations for Heifers

15. Genetics • Maximizing Genetic Gain • Calving Ease • Sexed Semen

16. Maximize Genetic Gain • Breed All Heifers by AI • Herd Bulls can cost you • ~400 kg of milk (Overton and Sischo, 2005) • Inability to Control Matings (Inbreeding) • Unknown Calving Ease of Unproven Sire • Mate Heifers to Maximize Genetic Gain • Possible Gains from Using Genomics

17. Calving Ease • Hard Calving have Devastating Impact • Effects Milk Production • 2 kg/day less milk • Effects Fertility • Average Open for 28 Days Longer • Effects the Health of the Calf • Produce 700 kg less milk

18. Pregnancy Rate by Calving Ease *All Herds Maintain a 60% Insemination Rate

19. Pregnancy Rate by Calving Ease *All Herds Maintain a 60% Insemination Rate

20. Sexed Semen • Commonly used in Heifers • ~90% Heifers will Result • Used to Grow Herd Internally

21. Other Considerations

22. AI Breeding • Have Appropriate Handling Facility • AI Equipment near Heifer’s • Semen Tank • Thawing Equipment • Clean AI Breeding tools

23. Open Checking Heifers • Routinely Check Heifers for Pregnancy • Routinely Move Heifers into Breeding Group • Take Action on Open Heifers

24. Record and Monitor Results

25. Measuring Your Performance • Goals at Breeding • Average Age at First Calving 24 Months • + 60% Conception Rate in Heifers • + 60% Insemination Rate in Heifers • + 36% Pregnancy Rate in Heifers • Goals at First Calving • <7% Stillbirth Rate on 1st Lactation Cows • <5% Hard Calving

26. Thank You! QUESTIONS???