How to Improve Dairy Cow Fertility? Key Technical Measures Explained
In recent years, with the development of the dairy industry, the scale of dairy cow rearing has continued to expand, but fertility has shown a declining trend. Dairy cows on dairy farms (or dairy compounds) often exhibit symptoms such as failure to come into estrus, unclear signs of estrus, prolonged estrous cycles, delayed ovulation, decreased conception rates and early embryonic death, resulting in low fertility in dairy cows and adversely affecting the development of the dairy industry. The author summarizes the following technical measures to improve dairy cow fertility for readers' reference.
1. Reasonable ration formulation. Malnutrition or excessively high nutrient levels in feed can all affect dairy cow estrus, conception rates, embryo quality, reproductive system function, endocrine balance, and various complications during calving to varying degrees. Dairy cow rearing and management personnel should formulate feed according to the specific physiological characteristics and growth stage requirements of dairy cows, and according to scientific nutritional composition, truly achieving scientific rearing and careful conditioning.
2. Body condition control. Body condition should be strictly controlled; body condition has a great bearing on milk yield. Especially during the dry period, due to the increase in metabolic diseases, the body condition of dry cows should be maintained at a moderate level. Cows must never be fed too fat, otherwise it easily leads to difficult calving and affects subsequent milk yield. Most over-fat dairy cows experience reduced appetite after calving, causing the cows to use large amounts of body fat, which easily leads to ketosis. In addition, over-fat dry cows can also develop fatty liver.
3. Increased exercise. Dairy cows should have 3-4 hours of outdoor activity time every day. Appropriate exercise helps improve the physical constitution and milk yield of dairy cows, promotes estrus, and prevents retained placenta. For adult cows kept in barns, if exercise is insufficient and the cows are too fat, milk yield and fertility will be reduced, and illness may occur due to declining physical constitution.
4. Brushing the cow's body. Brushing is of great significance for promoting dairy cow metabolism and maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of the cow's body. Dairy cows should be brushed 2-3 times a day. In midsummer when temperatures are high, to promote skin heat dissipation, wash the cow's body with clean water, then scrub; this is beneficial for hygiene and also serves to prevent heatstroke, reduce temperature, and increase milk yield. In winter, dry brushing should be the main method. Unless necessary, generally do not wash the cow's body with water. When necessary, the washed area should be as small as possible, preferably with warm water, and immediately after washing, wipe the hair and skin dry with a towel.
5. Limb and hoof care. The condition of dairy cow hooves has a great relationship with their economic value. Limbs and hooves are important components of dairy cows. Hoof disorders can cause difficulty in eating forage and drinking water, leading to decreased milk yield. Therefore, limbs and hooves should be frequently inspected and protected to reduce the occurrence of foot rot, laminitis and other limb and hoof disorders.
6. Appropriate dry period. An appropriate dry period can ensure milk yield in the next lactation period. The length of the dry period is determined by the cow's age, body condition and lactation performance, generally 45-75 days, with an average of 50-60 days. First-calf heifers or early-mated cows, weak and aged cows, high-yielding cows, and cows with poor rearing conditions need a longer dry period (60-75 days), while strong, physically robust cows of prime age with lower milk yield and good nutritional status can have a shortened dry period, but it cannot be less than 35 days. Lack of or shortening the dry period will reduce milk yield in the next period.
7. Reducing heat stress. When temperatures are above 30°C, it seriously affects dairy cow feed intake, milk yield and reproductive capacity. Therefore, one very important task in summer rearing management is reducing heat stress.
8. Implementing postpartum monitoring. Within 60 days after calving, ensure scientific rearing and management conditions, and use scientific methods such as testing and laboratory analysis to implement comprehensive and systematic monitoring of postpartum dairy cows. The monitoring focus is on the reproductive organs, and the main content is obstetric diseases of dairy cows.
Li Jianjun