DSD 6.11 | The sweet spot - Insemination timing for peak profit

With changes in the marketplace, coupled with increased reproductive performance of your herd there is an increased opportunity to improve net return. While breeding beef and sexed semen is no longer new, our industry has experienced a miscalculation of the ideal number of replacement heifers needed to optimize this model.

To ensure you’re on the right path, Megan Lauber , Dr. Paul Fricke and Dr. Victor Cabrera from University of WI recently completed work on a model of the interaction between 21-d Preg rate, semen type, days in milk and heifer survival to find the optimum window – known as the Insemination Eligibility Period (IEP). This metric will soon to be easily monitored with a tool available online.

Their model found $51.00 / head improvements in net return when all the metrics are optimized. Listen in for a comprehensive discussion about how to model your herd’s data to customize and therefore optimize your reproductive trajectory and financial success of the future.

Topics of discussion

1:33      Introduction of Megan Lauber  

An economic simulation model to assess the effect of the 21-day pregnancy rate, semen type, and heifer survival rate on the optimal insemination eligibility period for lactating dairy cows

Dr. Victor Cabrera’s TOOL website : https://dairymgt.cals.wisc.edu/tools.php