Can automated estrus detection compete with timed artificial insemination as a reproductive management strategy?

K. A. Dolecheck; W. J. Silvia; G. Heersche; C. L. Wood; K. J. McQuerry; J. M. Bewley

Can automated estrus detection compete with timed artificial insemination as a reproductive management strategy?

K. A. Dolecheck, W. J. Silvia, G. Heersche, C. L. Wood, K. J. McQuerry, J. M. Bewley

Biostatistics

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare timed artificial insemination (TAI) and automated activity monitoring (AAM) as reproductive management strategies on commercial dairies. Between September 2012 and June 2014, 523 cows from 3 commercial herds completed the study. Before enrollment, resumption of ovarian activity was confirmed and body condition score (BCS) was evaluated. Eligible cows (BCS between 2.50 and 3.50 and no recorded, clinical metabolic diseases in the current lactation) were balanced for parity and predicted milk yield then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: TAI or AAM. Ovulation synchronization using G7G-Ovsynch and Resynch occurred up to 3 times for all cows assigned to the TAI treatment. Cows assigned to the AAM treatment received a leg-mounted accelerometer (AfiAct Pedometer Plus, S.A.E. afimilk, Kibbutz Afikim, Israel) and were bred according to estrus alerts created by the system algorithm for up to 90 days after the voluntary waiting period (VWP). Timed artificial insemination cows experienced a 15.4 day shorter time to first service (6.6 ± 0.8 and 21.9 ± 0.8 days after the VWP for TAI and AAM, respectively). Automated activity monitored cows experienced a 13.7 day shorter service interval (42.1 ± 0.7 and 28.5 ± 0.8 d for TAI and AAM, respectively). No treatment effect on first service conception rate, services per pregnancy, pregnancy loss, days to conception, proportion of pregnant cows at 90 days past the VWP, or rate of pregnancy establishment existed.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015
Editors	Marcella Guarino, D. Berckmans
Pages	390-396
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	9788890975325
State	Published - 2015
Event	7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015 - Milan, Italy Duration: Sep 15 2015 → Sep 18 2015

Publication series

Name	Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015

Conference

Conference	7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015
Country/Territory	Italy
City	Milan
Period	9/15/15 → 9/18/15

Keywords

Automated activity monitoring
Automated estrus detection
Reproductive management
Timed artificial insemination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Animal Science and Zoology

Cite this

Dolecheck, K. A., Silvia, W. J., Heersche, G., Wood, C. L., McQuerry, K. J., & Bewley, J. M. (2015). Can automated estrus detection compete with timed artificial insemination as a reproductive management strategy? In M. Guarino, & D. Berckmans (Eds.), Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015 (pp. 390-396). (Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015).

Dolecheck, K. A. ; Silvia, W. J. ; Heersche, G. et al. / Can automated estrus detection compete with timed artificial insemination as a reproductive management strategy?. Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015. editor / Marcella Guarino ; D. Berckmans. 2015. pp. 390-396 (Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015).

@inproceedings{1740b244cad7454ebbc6a882ceb80db9,

title = "Can automated estrus detection compete with timed artificial insemination as a reproductive management strategy?",

abstract = "The objective of this study was to compare timed artificial insemination (TAI) and automated activity monitoring (AAM) as reproductive management strategies on commercial dairies. Between September 2012 and June 2014, 523 cows from 3 commercial herds completed the study. Before enrollment, resumption of ovarian activity was confirmed and body condition score (BCS) was evaluated. Eligible cows (BCS between 2.50 and 3.50 and no recorded, clinical metabolic diseases in the current lactation) were balanced for parity and predicted milk yield then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: TAI or AAM. Ovulation synchronization using G7G-Ovsynch and Resynch occurred up to 3 times for all cows assigned to the TAI treatment. Cows assigned to the AAM treatment received a leg-mounted accelerometer (AfiAct Pedometer Plus, S.A.E. afimilk, Kibbutz Afikim, Israel) and were bred according to estrus alerts created by the system algorithm for up to 90 days after the voluntary waiting period (VWP). Timed artificial insemination cows experienced a 15.4 day shorter time to first service (6.6 ± 0.8 and 21.9 ± 0.8 days after the VWP for TAI and AAM, respectively). Automated activity monitored cows experienced a 13.7 day shorter service interval (42.1 ± 0.7 and 28.5 ± 0.8 d for TAI and AAM, respectively). No treatment effect on first service conception rate, services per pregnancy, pregnancy loss, days to conception, proportion of pregnant cows at 90 days past the VWP, or rate of pregnancy establishment existed.",

keywords = "Automated activity monitoring, Automated estrus detection, Reproductive management, Timed artificial insemination",

author = "Dolecheck, \{K. A.\} and Silvia, \{W. J.\} and G. Heersche and Wood, \{C. L.\} and McQuerry, \{K. J.\} and Bewley, \{J. M.\}",

year = "2015",

language = "English",

series = "Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015",

pages = "390--396",

editor = "Marcella Guarino and D. Berckmans",

booktitle = "Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015",

note = "7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015 ; Conference date: 15-09-2015 Through 18-09-2015",

}

Dolecheck, KA, Silvia, WJ, Heersche, G, Wood, CL, McQuerry, KJ & Bewley, JM 2015, Can automated estrus detection compete with timed artificial insemination as a reproductive management strategy? in M Guarino & D Berckmans (eds), Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015. Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015, pp. 390-396, 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015, Milan, Italy, 9/15/15.

Can automated estrus detection compete with timed artificial insemination as a reproductive management strategy? / Dolecheck, K. A.; Silvia, W. J.; Heersche, G. et al.
Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015. ed. / Marcella Guarino; D. Berckmans. 2015. p. 390-396 (Precision Livestock Farming 2015 - Papers Presented at the 7th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2015).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review