Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Irish dairy herd fertility has been declining since the 1980s. The extent, nature and causes of this decline in fertility and the current status of Irish dairy herd fertility were described. An increase in calving interval of approximately one day per year has been recorded. The principal components of this trend have been an increased incidence of postpartum endocrinopathies, reduced expression of oestrus and a fall in conception rate. Both submission rate and calving-to-service interval have increased slightly over time. Significant risk factors associated with these trends have been strain substitution within the Holstein-Friesian breed and single trait selection for milk production. Critically, these changes have been reflected in loss of body condition. Contributory factors included increased herd size and possibly increased use of DIYAI. The most recent Irish study showed that 48% of cows conceived to first service and 14% of cows were not pregnant at the end of the industry-average 15-week spring breeding season. However, the top quartile of herds achieved a first-service conception rate of 59%, illustrating the wide variation between herds. These phenotypic trends were attributed to both genetic and environmental factors and their interactions. Recent Irish dairy herd fertility performance falls short of the targets set for seasonal compact calving.
Highlights
Efficient milk production in Irish dairy herds is dependent upon producing the maximum amount of milk from grazed grass
Extent of the decline in herd fertility Surveys of Irish dairy cattle showed that herd fertility was high throughout the 1960s and 1970s
The first indication of a significant decline in Irish dairy herd fertility was detected in a retrospective analysis of data from Teagasc research herds
Summary
Efficient milk production in Irish dairy herds is dependent upon producing the maximum amount of milk from grazed grass. To co-ordinate peak milk yield with maximum grass growth, cows must calve compactly before turn-out to pasture in the spring. Irish dairy farmers aim to get the maximum number of cows pregnant in a short breeding season and in the past have done so successfully. In recent years, changes in our farming systems have led to a decline in dairy herd fertility
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
