Reproduction begins at calving, not at the planned start of mating

To secure valuable days-in-milk and minimise wastage, reproductive performance must achieve a strong 6-week in-calf rate and a low empty rate. The goal is simple: get as many cows in calf as early as possible.

The healthier a cow calves down, maintains good body condition, remains free of metabolic stress, and transitions from colostrum production into lactation well, the better set up the animal is for mating.

The hours immediately after calving are critical for supporting well-being. Calcium is one of the vital minerals required within the first 24 hours post-calving to help set the cow up to return to heat quickly and cycle multiple times before the planned start of mating.

One approach used on-farm is adding Bell-Booth’s liquid calcium to colostrum cows’ paddock water troughs for several days after calving, alongside lime flour and magnesium. This combination is intended to support increased calcium demand at calving and assist cows as they transition into milk production and prepare for mating.

Next on the list is to drive heat strength and length. Providing compounds pre or post-calving, like iodine, vitamins A, D & E, folic acid, plus others, to encourage hormone production. Nutrimol 4n1 is a multifaceted formulation containing essential elements to help prepare the cow for insemination.

Under a Nutrimol 4n1 programme, heats become stronger and easier to detect, supporting the herd to reach a 90% submission rate by the end of the first 3 weeks of AB. To secure a profitable six-week in-calf rate, one of the key drivers is to submit 4.3% of the herd daily. For a 400-cow herd, the expectation is that 17-18 cows will be submitted for insemination every day during the first 21 days of mating.

Good reproductive performance is a crucial driver of on-farm profitability. For every 1% improvement in the six-week in-calf rate, a farmer can expect at least a $4/cow increase in operating profit, according to the DairyNZ Gap Calculator. For every 1% decrease in the not-in-calf rate, an additional $10/cow in profit.

With only a few days before calving gets underway, start your Nutrimol 4n1 or Nutrimol 4n1 Plus Selenium dosing regime to drive heats and achieve a strong start to mating with a 90% three-week submission rate.

For more information on Nutrimol 4n1 dosing regime, talk to your local Technical Sales Rep or visit your local Farm Source store.

Article supplied by Bell-Booth