Spring 2024 fertility results have been released, showing a slight improvement across various aspects of reproduction on the previous season.
The industry 6-week-in-calf rate target is 78% but currently the average is 69% with a 15% not-in-calf rate. To achieve a true productivity gain, focusing on reproduction is at the top of the list. To make improvements, cows need to be prepared for mating, not just a few weeks before insemination (AB), but from calving.
Firstly, ensuring metabolic issues are under control at calving, body condition score targets are reached before mating, trace element blood status levels are achieved, and pre- mating preparation happens well before the first day of mating.
The period between calving and the planned start of mating (PSM) cows needs to be supported so they can return to heat post calving and then go on to generate strong and long heats. Pasture test results taken this year have highlighted the low levels of micro-nutrients in the grass. These results reinforce the need for supplementation, particularly for essential elements such as iodine, selenium, and magnesium. Herds fed a bulb crop, such as turnips, brassicas, or kale, will often find that their animals are depleted in iodine if not supplemented. These scenarios must be considered when designing a trace element and mineral programme.
Focusing on providing compounds early in the season, like iodine, vitamins A, D and E, plus others, to encourage hormone production. Nutrimol 4n1 is a multi-facet formulation containing essential elements to help prepare the cow for insemination. For best results, start a Nutrimol 4n1 Turn Up The Heat dosing regimen from calving. There are dosing options to suit your farming practices, whether via a Dosatron dispenser, a shock dose at calving or a need for a strategy via a feed-out wagon.
Under a Nutrimol 4n1 programme, heats become stronger, easier to detect, and drive submission rates to help achieve 90% of the herd being submitted by the end of the first three weeks of AB. To secure a profitable 6-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 point improvement in the 6-week-in-calf rate, a farmer can expect at least a $4/cow increase in operating profit based on the DairyNZ Gap Calculator. For every 1 point decrease in the empty rate, an additional profit of $10/cow.
Best practices to support reproduction outcomes
Drive heat strength
For best results, start dosing Nutrimol 4n1 from calving at five millilitres (mL) per cow per day (mL/cow/day). Increase the dose rate at least 30 days before the planned start of mating (PSM) to seven mL/cow/day and continue until 60 days after the end of mating.
Support late-calving cows and non-cyclers
To assist late-calving and non-cycling cows, administer a single anti-shock dose of 50mL/cow Nutrimol 4n1 to encourage hormone production. Continue dosing seven mL/cow/day during the mating period.
Focus on mating until the end
With the average mating length around 10.5-11 weeks, stay focused on the long game. Continue dosing Nutrimol 4n1 until 60 days after the end of mating, at which time you can reduce the rate to 5ml/cow/ day over the hot summer months or cease daily dosing.
Economics
Starting from $7.90+GST/cow/ programme, the cost of an empty cow outweighs the investment in a Nutrimol 4n1 Turn Up the Heat mating programme.
With selenium, a vital fertility element, and considering the environmental challenges from the harsh summer and poor micronutrient status in pasture, Bell-Booth will add an extra 5mg of selenium to every 7mL dose of Nutrimol 4n1. Order your Nutrimol requirements between August and November in 100L, 200L, and 1000L sizes, and receive an additional 5mg selenium per cow per day free of charge.
For more information on Nutrimol 4n1, talk to your local TSR or visit your Farm Source store.
Article supplied by Bell-Booth.
