1
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Reproductive Management of Dairy Heifers
Paul M. Fricke, PhDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Dairy ScienceUniversity of Wisconsin - Madison
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
La
cta
tio
n
HeiferCalf
0 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
Age (months)
Heifer DevelopmentAge at 1st Calving = 24 mo
Birth
Puberty (9 mo)
Nonlactating
Conception (14 mo)
Age at 1st calving:24 mo
Primiparous
1st Lactation
1st Calving 2nd Calving
Multiparous
2nd Lactation
Optimal age at calving = 23-24 mo
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
La
cta
tio
n
HeiferCalf
0 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
Age (months)
Heifer DevelopmentAge at first calving = 32 mo
Birth
Puberty (9 mo)
Nonlactating
Conception (23 mo)
Age at 1st calving:32 mo
Primiparous
1st Lactation
1st Calving 2nd Calving
Each day calving is delayed beyond 24 months of age costs $1.50 to $3.00 per heifer
$360 to $720Extra Rearing
CostsPer Heifer
2
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
La
cta
tio
n
HeiferCalf
0 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
Age (months)
Heifer DevelopmentAge at 1st Calving = 20 mo
Birth
Conception (11 mo)
Nonlactating
Age at 1st calving:20 mo
Primiparous
1st Lactation
1st Calving 2nd Calving
Multiparous
2nd Lactation
Reducing age at first calving reduces the nonlactatingperiod but results in impaired mammary developmentand reduction in subsequent milk production
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Calving Age Influences Subsequent Milk Production
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Calving Age (mo)
% F
irs
t L
ac
tati
on
Mil
kP
rod
uc
tio
n E
xp
ec
ted
Calving heifers at 23 to 24 mo of age is optimal for first lactation milk yieldsAlthough heifers can calve at 19-21 mo of age, they may experience dystocia and metabolic disorders
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Deciding When to Breed Holstein Heifers
Breeding RecommendationsAge = 13 monthsWeight = 875 lb (396 kg)Wither Height = 50 in (127 cm)
Calving RecommendationsAge at first calving = 22 - 24 monthsWeight = 1250 lb (567 kg) post-calving Wither Height = 55 in (140 cm)
3
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Heifer Reproductive Efficiency
Poor ReproductionSR=50%; CR=40%
Average Age:At 1st breeding = 14.0
At conception = 16.4At 1st calving = 25.7
Good ReproductionSR=80%; CR=70%
Average Age:At 1st breeding = 14.0At conception = 14.7At 1st calving = 24.0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
14
.0
14
.4
15
.1
15
.8
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.4
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17
.8
18
.5
19
.2
19
.9
20
.6
21
.3
He
ife
rs n
ot
pre
gn
an
t (%
)
Age at conception (mo)
Poor Good
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Lactating Cows vs. Heifers
What is “normal” for conception rate?
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Conception Rate, 1998 Minnesota DHI DataRapnicki P, Stewart S, Eicker S. 2001. Proc 4-State Appl Nutr Mgt Conf, La Crosse, WI
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Conception Rate (%)
Herd
Cou
nt
Lactating Cows
4
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Characterization of Holstein Heifer Fertility in the United States Kuhn et al., J. Dairy Sci. 89:4907-4920; 2006
6 25
213
704
1070
579
701
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
>20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80 >80
He
rd C
ou
nt
Conception Rate (%)
Breedings = 537,938Heifers = 362,512Herds = 2,668
Mean CR:
57%
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
CR by Service Number – Holstein CowsAgri-Tech Analytics; 2002-2004; 1,608,870 Holstein AI services
30% 31% 31%29% 28%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
1 2 3 4 5+
Co
nc
ep
tio
n r
ate
AI Service Number
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Effect of AI Service Number on Conception Rate in Heifers Kuhn et al., J. Dairy Sci. 89:4907-4920; 2006
53.3 52.949.7
47.9
43.8
39.1
32.7
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Nu
mb
er o
f AI (x 1
,00
0)C
on
ce
pti
on
ra
te (%
)
AI Service Number
5
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Reproductive Management Protocols for Dairy Heifers
Paul M. Fricke , Ph.D.
Radiotelemetry
HeatWatch®
Paul M. Fricke , Ph.D.
Behavioral Estrus in Holstein Dairy Cattle Based on HeatWatch
Lactating Cows
Nonlactating Heifers
n 307 114
Standing Events 7.2 ± 7.2 16.8 ± 12.8
Duration of Estrus (h) 7.3 ± 7.2 11.3 ± 6.9
J Dairy Sci 80(Suppl. 1):179; 1997
6
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
CIDR InsertsGnRHProstaglandin F2α
Hormonal Manipulation of Ovarian Function in Heifers
Paul M. Fricke , Ph.D.
PGF Synchronization Protocols(Targeted Breeding System)
Treat all heifers and AI those detected in estrus. Retreat remaining heifers after 14 days and AI those detected in estrus.
14 Days
PGF2α PGF2α
Estrus Estrus
PGF2α
14 Days
TAI (80h)
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
7 days 56 hours
GnRH PGF2α GnRH
7
PM Fricke, Ph.D.
Stevenson et al., J. Dairy Sci. 91:3424; 2008
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Effect of Treatment on Conception Rate in Dairy Heifers Stevenson et al., J. Dairy Sci. 91:3424; 2008
63.767.7
54.3
46.9
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
CON PGED EDTAI GTAI
Co
nc
ep
tio
n r
ate
(%)
n=140n=127 n=111n=135
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Cost Analysis InputsStevenson et al., J. Dairy Sci. 91:3424; 2008
Item Cost ($) Range ($) Increment ($)
GnRH per dose 1.65 1.50 – 4.50 0.50
PGF2α per dose 2.50 1.50 – 4.50 0.50
CIDR insert 8.00 5.50 – 10.50 1.00
Labor per hour 10.00 6.50 – 18.50 2.00
Rearing cost(heifer/d)
1.65 0.75 – 2.25 0.25
8
PM Fricke, Ph.D.
Cost AnalysisStevenson et al., J. Dairy Sci. 91:3424; 2008
$30 $29$34
$55
$42 $40
$50
$85
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
CON PGED EDTAI GTAI
Program Cost Cost per Pregnancy
PM Fricke, Ph.D.
Synchronization Systems
Pursley & Wiltbank, 1995
Moreira et al., 2001
Fricke et al., 2003
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Study n
Conception (%)
Control Ovsynch
Lactating Cows 1 546 42 39
Lactating Cows 2 311 39 39
Virgin Heifers 2 155 74 35**Differs from Control, P < 0.01
Conception rates after AI to estrus or Ovsynch and timed AI – Heifers vs. Cows
9
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Connie Cordoba
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Experimental DesignLactating Cows – Grazing System
BullsIntroduced(June 10, 2000)
23-day AI breeding period
GnRH(50 μg)
PGF2α(25 mg)
GnRH(50 μg)
Ovsynch (n=114)
-9 -1-3
Timed AI(Day 0; May 19, 2000)
Tail Paint (n=114)
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Reproductive Performance1st AI service Cordoba & Fricke, J. Dairy Sci. 85:1752-1763; 2002
Item Ovsynch Tail Paint
Method of AI Timed AI AI at estrus
AI submission rate (%) 100.0a
(114/114)84.2b
(96/114)
Mean d of AI 0.0 12.0 ± 0.6
Conception rate (%) 27.3a
(30/110)47.3b
(43/91)
a,bWithin a row, percentages with different superscripts differ (p<0.01)
10
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Frequency Distribuation of AICordoba & Fricke, J. Dairy Sci. 85:1752-1763; 2002
0
2
4
6
8
10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Day of Breeding Period
Nu
mb
er
of
Co
ws
Tail PaintOvsynch
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Ovsynch cows with low P4 at 2nd GnRHCordoba & Fricke, J. Dairy Sci. 85:1752-1763; 2002
P4-class n
Anovular
% (no)
CR
% (no)
Return to AI
% (no)
LLL 5 80.0 (4) 0.0 (0) 60.0 (3)
HLL 28 0.0 (0) 14.3a (4) 71.4 (20)
LHL 33 24.2 (8) 39.4b (13) 27.3 (9)
HHL 23 0.0 (0) 43.5b (10) 30.4 (7)
Σ 89 13.5 (12) 30.3 (27) 43.8 (39)
a,bDifferent superscripts denote significant contrasts (p<0.05)
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
HLL Cows(n=28)
Proestrus at 1st GnRH injection
Conception rate = 14.3%20% of HLL cows returned to AI service during the AI
breeding period on d 14 to 17
Low Low
High
TAI(d 0)
G GP
ReturnAI Service(d 14 to 17)
Estrus
Initial HeatEstrus
0 10 15 21514-17
11
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
ProgesteroneThree Follicular Waves
Ovulation 21
Folli
cu
lar
Siz
e
914-17
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Progesterone
10Ovulation 21
Folli
cu
lar
Siz
e
Day After Ovulation
Two Follicular Waves
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
2002 Heifer Field Trial Results
12
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Experimental DesignNonlactating Holstein dairy heifers
42-day AI breeding period
GnRH(100 μg)
PGF2α(25 mg)
GnRH + TAI(100 μg)
GPG + Tail Chalk (n=175)
0 86
Tail Chalk (n=170)
Once-daily estrus detectionand AI based on tail chalk
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Effect of GPG vs. Tail ChalkRivera et al., J. Dairy Sci. 87:2051; 2004
Interval to 1st AI (d) CR
Treatment n Mean Min Max % (no.)
GPG 175 7.5* ± 0.1 1 8 38.3 (67)
TAI 144 (82%) 8.0 ± 0.0 8 8 38.2 (55)
Estrus before TAI 31 (18%) 5.2 ± 0.2 1 7 38.7 (12)
Tail Chalk 172 9.9 ± 0.5 0 38 46.5 (80)
Overall 347 7.6 ± 0.3 0 38 40.0 (138)
*Differs from Tail Chalk (p<0.01).
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Four Factors Influence Conception Rate:
FemaleFertility Bull
Fertility Accuracyof Heats AI
Efficiency
PR/AI =
X
XX
13
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Effect of AI technician Rivera et al., J. Dairy Sci. 87:2051; 2004
Technician
1 2 3
Treatment % (no./no.) % (no./no.) % (no./no.)
GPG 20.0 (12/60) 25.0 (6/24) 53.8 (49/91)
Tail Chalk 30.2 (16/53) 33.3 (12/36) 62.6 (52/83)
Overall 24.8a (28/113) 30.0a (18/60) 58.0b (101/174)
a,bWithin a row, percentages with different superscripts differ
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Survival curve of days to first AIRivera et al., J. Dairy Sci. 87:2051; 2004
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
6 Days 2 Days
GnRH(100 μg)
PGF2α(25 mg)
GnRH +TAI(100 μg)
GPG + CIDR(n=94)
CIDR
6 Days 2 Days
GnRH(100 μg)
PGF2α(25 mg)
GPG(n=96)
GnRH +TAI(100 μg)
Rivera et al., J. Dairy Sci. 88:957; 2005
14
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Survival to first serviceRivera et al., J. Dairy Sci. 88:957; 2005
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Effect of GPG vs. GPG + CIDRRivera et al., J. Dairy Sci. 88:957; 2005
Treatment
Item GPG GPG + CIDR
AI to estrus before TAI 23.9 (23/96) 0.0 (0/94)
Heifers receiving TAI 76.0 (73/96) 100.0 (94/94)
CR (30 d) to estrus 26.1 (6/23) -
CR (30 d) to TAI 29.1 (28/96) 31.9 (30/94)
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Effect of AI technicianRivera et al., J. Dairy Sci. 88:957; 2005
Technician
1 2 3
Treatment % (no./no.) % (no./no.) % (no./no.)
GPG 8.0 (2/25) 8.3 (2/24) 51.1 (24/47)
GPG + CIDR 13.6 (3/22) 0.0 (0/24) 56.2 (27/48)
Overall 10.6a (5/47) 4.2a (2/48) 53.7b (51/95)a,bWithin a row, percentages with different superscripts differ
15
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
5 days 3 days
GnRHPGF2α(AM/PM) GnRH +TAI
CIDR Synch(n=127)
CIDR
PGF Synch(n=120)
14 days
PGF2α PGF2α
60 hours
GnRH +TAI
5-day Heifer CIDR Synch protocolThatcher et al, unpublished
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Conception rate (32 d) of dairy heifers to TAI
after PGF Synch or CIDR SynchThatcher et al. Unpublished
45.8
53.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
PGF Synch CIDR Synch
Co
nc
ep
tio
n r
ate
(%)
n=120 n=127
Treatments do not differ statistically
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
5 days 3 days
GnRH PGF2α GnRH +TAI
CIDR Synch
CIDR
CIDR Synch comparing 1 vs. 2 doses of PGF Thatcher et al., Unpublished
16
Paul M. Fricke, Ph.D.
Conception rate (32 d) of dairy heifers to TAI after CIDR Synch using 1 vs 2 doses of PGFThatcher et al. Unpublished
56.1 57.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1 x PGF 2 x PGF
Co
nc
ep
tio
n r
ate
(%)
n=98 n=101
Treatments do not differ statistically
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
• X-chromosome has 4% more DNA
• Sperm stained with dye & sorted by laser
• 85% accuracy
• Many sperm are damaged or wasted
• Can sort 8-10 straws of semen per hour
Semen Sexing
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
Commercial Application of Sex-Sorted Semen in Holstein HeifersDeJarnette et al., J. Dairy Sci. 91:459; 2008 (Abstr.)
56.453.8
45.447.043.1
38.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1st 2nd 3+
Co
nc
ep
tio
n r
ate
(%)
AI service number
Conventional Sex-Sorted
83.9%of
Conv.
80.1%of
Conv.
49 herds from Jan, 2005 to Jan. 2008; 41,398 sexed semen AI services.Sexed semen resulted in ~45% CR and ~90% female calves in Holstein heifers.
83.3%of
Conv.
17
Use of Sexed Semen on Wisconsin Dairy Farms
Ryan Sterry, UW-Extension Polk CountyDenise Brusveen, UW-Extension Sauk County
Kent Weigel, Department of Dairy Science, UW-MadisonPaul Fricke, Department of Dairy Science, UW-Madison
© 2008 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of theUniversity of Wisconsin-Extension
Survey Administration
© 2008 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension
•Conducted Winter ’07-’08
•Administered by UW-Extension county faculty
•20 questions
•Three general response categories
•Never used
•Used, but not currently
•Currently using
•347 responses (307 Dairy, 38 Heifer Growers)
How was survey distributed?
Meeting 85%
Phone 1%
Mail 7%
Farm Visit 7%
Experience with Sexed Semen
Dairy Farms (n=309) Heifer Growers (n=38)
© 2008 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension
Never Used 53%
Currently Using 39%
Discontinued 8%
Currently Using 63%
Never Used 29%
Discontinued 8%
18
Alta 2.4%
Other 1.8%
Semex 1.8%Multiple 12.5%
ABS 9.5%
Accelerated 14.9%
Select Sires 46.4%
Genex10.7%
Alta 2.4%
Other 1.8%
Semex 1.8%Multiple 12.5%
ABS 9.5%
Accelerated 14.9%
Select Sires 46.4%
Genex10.7%
Source of Sexed Semen (n=168)
© 2008 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension
Age of Heifers at First Breeding - Only Beltsville
Conventional (n=119) Sexed (n=118)
© 2008 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension
13 or less 17%
15
23%14
41%
16
6%
17
3%
18+
3%
Don’t Use
7%
13 or less 30%15
22%
14
34%
16
6%
17
2%
18+
2%
Don’t Use
4%
Services for Using Sexed Semen - Beltsville
© 2008 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension
0
10
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30
40
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60
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Heifers Cows
% o
f Fa
rms
19
Paul M. Fricke, PhD
On the Web:
www.uwex.edu/ces/dairymgt/www.uwex.edu/ces/dairyrepro/
Department of Dairy Science
University of Wisconsin - Madison