90% at 150 days
You may do a good job getting heifers bred “in a timely manner” but are 90% of them pregnant within 150 days of your voluntary waiting period (VWP)? If they are not pregnant, they are likely to land on the cull list and become another costly “non-complete” heifer. On...
Transforming heifer reproduction
Author: Laura Styczynski, CentralStar Records Analysis Consultant Despite the importance of efficient heifer reproduction, many farms still have room to enhance their breeding programs. As a Records Analysis Consultant, I work with a diverse range of dairies, each...
WHY NxGEN?
Jordan Siemers, Select Sires Dairy Sire Analyst The better question is why not? Take a look at the Top 100 GTPI Proven Bulls: 7HO15167 GAMEDAY, 7HO15085 PARFECT, 7HO15465 CRUSHER, 7HO15245 PERPETUAL, 14HO15201 MOONSHINER, 250HO14134 RENEGADE, 14HO15223 CONWAY, and...
Sexed- and beef-semen strategy: Can my farm pull it off?
Author: Tom Brown, CentralStar Genetic and Reproductive Consultant Dairy producers often ask if their farms can maintain reproductive success while using a sexed- and beef-semen strategy. Given the current beef-on-dairy calf prices, this question has become a hot...
The long-term payoff of early-life calf-health practices
Author: Kelly Sporer, Ph.D., CentralStar Records Analysis Consultant The first day, week, and month of a calf's life are critical in determining their future productivity and health. Research has repeatedly shown when calves face health challenges early in life, there...
How to blood pregnancy test cattle
1. Plan for sample collection at least 28 days post-breeding – either by AI or based on the last date the bull was with the heifers/cows. 2. Gather sample collection supplies. These can be purchased online through CentralStar or the veterinarian or farm supply store....
Gut Check on Gut Health
Cows thrive on consistency, preferring the same reliable meal daily. However, adjusting to this steady diet can be challenging for the gut health of fresh cows. What can be done to help with this adjustment? Include a nutritional supplement that supports gut health...