Detailed Explanation of Key Points in Dairy Cattle Breeding Technology, a Must-Read for Farmers

1. Formulate breeding indicators for the herd

To draw up a breeding plan, the first step is to determine breeding indicators. The ideal reproductive rate should reach 100%, with a calving interval of 12 months, but this is difficult to achieve. Therefore, in actual production, the reproductive rate should not be lower than 85%, and the calving interval should not exceed 13 months. Commonly used indicators for measuring fertility include: annual total conception rate ≥85%, calculation formula: annual total conception rate = number of cows conceiving in the year / number of cows bred in the year ×100%; annual conception rate per estrus ≥50%, calculation formula: annual conception rate per estrus = number of cows conceiving in the year / total number of insemination estrus periods in the year ×100%; annual average calving interval ≤400 days, calculation formula: annual average calving interval = ∑ calving intervals / number of cows; annual reproductive rate ≤85%, calculation formula:

annual reproductive rate = number of cows calving in the year / number of breedable cows in the year ×100%

2. Formulate breeding and mating plans

Breeding is the hub linking all stages of dairy cattle production. Breeding and milk production are extremely closely related. In order to increase income from milk production and from the multiplication of calves, a good breeding plan must be made. The herd breeding plan is a measure for having cows mated and calved at the proper time according to expected requirements, and it is also an important basis for compiling a herd turnover plan. When drawing up a mating and calving plan, one cannot proceed solely from natural production patterns, mating however many and calving however many; rather, on the basis of a comprehensive study of herd production patterns and economic requirements, selection and mating should be well carried out, and the time and number of mass mating and calving of cattle should be determined according to conditions such as age at the start of breeding, gestation period, calving interval, production direction, production tasks, feed supply, barn equipment, and feeding management level, so that the mating and calving plan can be drawn up. The reproductive characteristics of cows are year-round sporadic mating and calving, with no obvious seasonal features. The so-called planned control of calving means arranging the calving time of cows to the season most suitable for milk production, which is conducive to improving production performance.