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Reaping Rewards reprinted from the Select Sires newsletter Many of us view Estrus Synchronization as a labor saving option for our cow herds in order to save time when we A.I. There are several very good systems available today that make this possible, including Select Synch system. Dr. Les Anderson, Beef Cattle Extension Specialist at the University of Kentucky has provided some real-world data from one of his trials that shows just how programs like this can not only save labor, but make a big impact on the overall profitability of any cow herd. Taking advantage of synchronizing systems allows you to truly reap additional rewards. There are several advantages of Estrus Synchronization and A.I. 1. Increased Pregnancy Rates - Cows that display estrus during a fixed breeding period will have three opportunities to conceive during the first 45 days while those who don't will have two or less. Also, many non-cycling animals may be 'jump-started' by the synchronization and achieve a fertile estrus earlier than they would without it. 2. Increased Weaning Weights -- Estrus Synchronization increases the weaning weights on calves simply by increasing the age of the calves at weaning. Research has indicated that for every 21 days later that a calf is born in the calving season, the calf loses 20-40 pounds of weaning weight.. 3. Increased Uniformity of the Calf Crop - Two of the main factors that determine calf crop uniformity are age and genetics. If you can make your calves closer in age, the tighter the weight range will be and uniformity will improve. 4. More Predictable Performance -- Using an A.I. bull in a breeding program allows producers to utilize sires that have PROVEN performance. With the vast amount of EPD data available, breeders can select for specific targets, whether that target is calving ease, carcass merit or growth. 5. Increased Cow Productivity - Estrus Synchronization and A.I. enhances cow productivity by increasing the number of heifers that can be retained as replacement females. Research has clearly pointed out that older heifers are more likely to conceive early in their first breeding season and subsequent breeding seasons, wean heavier calves and are more profitable during their lifetime than their later-born contemporaries. Many systems for synchronization have been widely tested and used across the country with consistent results. Dr. Anderson still wanted a good answer to one of the most trying questions that Extension Specialists run into - 'Can producers profit by using Estrus Synchronization and A. I.?' Dr. Anderson began a study in the spring of 1998 using Co-Synch (a fixed-time estrus synchronization program) compared to natural service bulls on 350 cows. The cows that were time-A.I. bred were exposed to bulls for 56 days beginning 14 days after the timed insemination. Total cost for the A.I. program was $28.97 per cow. This included his cost for synchronizing drugs, A.I. technicians, semen and additional labor. Using Ultrasound to diagnose pregnancy, Anderson found that the synchronized-A.I. cows had 23% higher pregnancy rates in the first 30 days and a 9% higher pregnancy rate at the end of the breeding season (90% vs. 81%). Dr. Anderson calculated the 23 additional calves born in the first 30 days of the calving season would each weigh 30 lbs. more at weaning simply due to age and would generate an additional 690 lbs. of calf or $690. Also, the nine extra calves born due to the higher breeding season pregnancy rate would generate an additional $4,500 (500 lbs. per calf at $1.00/lb.). The cost to A.I. was $2,897 per 100 cows and generated additional revenues of $5,190, compared to the bull-bred cows. Dr. Anderson estimated the return on investment to be at least $2,293. At weaning Anderson found that the A.I. sired calves generated an additional 72.6 lbs. of calf per cow! When costs for both systems were applied per cow, the synchronized-A.I. bred cows returned an additional $71.00 per cow over the natural bred cows - certainly enough to make both you and your banker take notice. |
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