Farms.com Home   News

Consequences of Long-term Commitment to Estrus Synchronization

By Dr. Pedro Fontes

The use of estrus synchronization programs has substantially increased over the last few decades. These programs allow cattle producers to manipulate the estrous cycle of cows and heifers, facilitating the adoption of biotechnologies such as artificial insemination (AI). Cow-calf operations can combine estrus synchronization with fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) and AI all cows from a given herd at a pre-determined time without the need of estrus detection. The development of these estrus synchronization protocols has significantly impacted reproductive management commercially, leading to a remarkable global increase in the use of AI by beef cattle producers. In fact, the number of beef semen straws sold yearly in the United States increased by 145% between 1990 to 2017.

beef

Studies have repeatedly evaluated the effectiveness of estrus synchronization protocols in combination with FTAI, and pregnancy rates usually range between 40-60%. These are great numbers considering that approximately half of our females are becoming pregnant on the first day of the breeding season. Nevertheless, there is still some variation in . . .

Source : osu.edu

Trending Video

A Night With A Shepherd Delivering Lambs

Video: A Night With A Shepherd Delivering Lambs

Spend a night with a shepherd during lambing season at Ewetopia Farms as we deliver Suffolk and Dorset lambs. Watch every step, from assisting ewes in labor to tube-feeding lambs colostrum and moving them to claiming pens. See the joys and challenges of lambing as we ensure healthy, adorable lambs start their journey.