Julio Giordano’s presentation showed us how to use records to choose the right reproductive protocols for different groups of cows. Many herds have applied his principle in a very basic way by using one synchronization protocol or voluntary waiting period for first lactation animals, and a different one for mature cows. Those groups are based on very basic and easily accessible data about how many calves an animal has had. As we gather more data about each animal, our groups can become more sophisticated too. There can be different goals for putting cows in different groups. A synchronization protocol with less steps might be used to save labor without sacrificing performance for cows that have had a heat recorded before the voluntary waiting period. If body condition scores are available, the voluntary waiting period might be adjusted based on whether cows lose condition during the voluntary waiting period. As we adjust voluntary waiting periods and customize synchronization protocols, percent pregnant by 150 days in milk may have more value than preg rate as a metric for reproductive performance. Preg rate measures how quickly cows become pregnant after the starting gun (voluntary waiting period). Percent pregnant by 150 days in milk measures how many got pregnant before the finish line (150 days in milk).
Improving Reproductive Management and Performance Using Data-driven Targeted Management Julio Giordano, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 14-16, 2023
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