Dl4—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 27,1984
Heifer AI is needed on every dairy farm
BY GEORGE F. W. HAENLEIN
Extension Dairy Specialist
University of Delaware
Tight economic times like those
the dairy industry is currently
facing, generally lead to cut-backs
on out-of-pocket expenses and a
reevaluation of current practices.
Many dairy farmers have
responded to this situation by
discontinuing artificial in
semination (a.i.) of heifers and
have reverted to breeding them by
natural service.
This is a false economy which
will come back to haunt you for
years to come. Of all the animals in
your herd, heifers are the best to
breed a.i., especially with higher
prices semen.
Sound management decisions
require full understanding of both
the advantages and disadvantages
of the alternatives. The ad
vantages commonly given for
using a.i. in the milking herd apply
equally to heifer a.i. These ad
vantages include: 1) a wider
selection of genetically superior
sires, 2) more complete knowledge
of the genetic value of bulls, 3)
knowledge of exact breeding dates,
4) easier control or prevention of
reporductive diseases, 5)
screening of bulls for fertility, 6)
screening of bulls for genetic
defects, and 7) the safety of a.i.
over handling bulls.
Besides these general ad
vantages, there are some which
apply specifically to heifers.
The major benefit from using a.i.
on heifers is that this practice
increases the genetic progress of
your herd. Progress per year is
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determined by dividing genetic
progress per generation by the
number of years in a generation.
Heifer a.i. affects both portions of
this equation since it increases
genetic progress per generation
and shortens the generation in
terval, thus increasing progress
per year.
It’s well known that heifers often
have more calving difficulties than
older cows. Extensive “calving
ease” information has been
collected on bulls in a.i.. This has
led to calving-ease summaries
which allow dairymen some
genetic control over calving
problems. This won’t eliminate all
calving difficulties, since these can
be due to many causes, but it will
reduce their frequency.
Heifer fertility is another
argument in favor of a.i. As cattle
age, fertility and conception rate
decrease. Thus heifers are the best
animals to breed a.i.-especially
when you’re using expensive
semen.
Finally, heifer a.i. will increase
the number of herd replacements
available for culling or dairy sales.
Some dairy farmers breed their
heifers to beef bulls with the idea
this will reduce calving dif
ficulties.
In my experience, the facts don’t
support this theory. What’s more,
this practice results in offspring
unsuitable for dairy herd
replacement. And under less than
ideal calf raising conditions, this
means the number of
replacements available each year
may not be enough to maintain
herd size. So you could end up
having to buy replacements at a
Chester-Del. Pomona installs first woman as Master
WEST CHESTER - New Of
ficers were installed at last week’s
meeting of Chester-Delaware
Pomona Grange #3.
Mrs. J. Edwin Cook of West
Chester was installed as the first
woman Master in the 110-year
history of the county organization.
Other officers are Overseer-David
Wanner, Honey Brook; Steward-
Harold Rennard, Goshen; Asst.
Stewards Mr. and Mrs. Edward
Hook, Russellville; Chaplain -
Mary Jane Pennoyer, Mar
shallton; Treasurer - C. Wilmer
Supplee, Goshen; Secretary - Mrs.
Henry Huber, Goshen; Gatekeeper
- Kelvin Spotts, Russellville; Ceres
- Mrs. Carroll Pratt, London
Grove; Pomona - Virginia Buf-
Armstrong
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cost higher than home-rasing.
Those purchased replacements
may also be of poorer genetic
merit than calves you raise
yourself from heifers.
Artificial insemination of the
heifer herd is a management tool
which should be used on every
dairy farm. The many advantages
easily justify the added work. If
fington, Kennett; Flora - Mrs.
Harold Rennard, Goshen;
Executive Committee member -
Terry Murray, Russellville;
Finance Committee member -
Robert Chambers, East Lynn;
Lecturer - Mary Sproat, London
Grove.
Judging was held for the
photography contest. Winners
were Deborah Warren, Chris
Morris, and Karen Prints of
Chester Valley, Mary Sproat of
London Grove, Elaine Reiter of
Brandywine, and Mr. and Mrs.
Edward Hook of Russellville. Mrs.
Chester Warren won first prize for
her oil painting.
Junior photography winners
were Andrew Huber of Goshen and
Mark Morris of Chester Valley.
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you're ttuniung or dropping your
current heifer a.i. program, think
again. If you don’t have one now,
seriously consider adding one. The
result will be a genetically
superior herd that produces milk
more efficiently and progresses
faster genetically-both factors
which will increase the
profitability of your dairy
operation.
Winner in the fudge contest and
tatting contest was Mrs. Raymond
Earnhart of Oxford.
Winners of the Pumpkin-
Growing Contest were Mrs. Lynn
Spotts for oddest shape and
Charles Harris for the largest.
Grangers are promoting the use
of smoke alarms in cooperation
with the Jamesway Store at New
Garden Shopping Center.
Chester-Delaware Pomona
Grange #3 will celebrate its 110th
Anniversary with a banquet and
program May 18. Committee
chairmen for the event are Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Harris of
Russellville.
Seventeen new members were
initiated into the Fifth Degree.
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