ADVANCED JOINING MANAGEMENT

NATURAL MATING SYSTEMS

High pregnancy rates and a tight calving and lambing period should be the key objectives of natural mating programs.

At joining, cows and ewes undergo a series of physiological and hormonal changes that increase their requirements for a specific range of critical nutrients. Changes of feed, inadequate body condition and a range of other stressors compound this issue.

A failure to properly meet these changes in requirements will cause significant nutritional stress and reduce the animals ability to develop and maintain the number and quality of cells and membranes required to ensure successful ovulation, fertilisation and implantation.

It may also suppress the production of those hormones critical to the continuation of a successful pregnancy.

In some cases, the effects of these changes on nutrient requirements are so severe that they may result in weak, silent or delayed heats, poor fertilisation and implantation failures.

Infectious diseases such as Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV or Pestivirus), Vibriosis, Leptospirosis and Brucellosis can also have a significant impact on conception rates and live birth rates in cows and ewes.

Whilst there is often a strong focus on the preparation of female animals for joining, it is essential that ram and bull preparation is not overlooked, as their health and wellbeing is vital to the programs overall success.

Cows and ewes that are inappropriately managed and that are unable to match the levels of critical nutrients that they require leading into and during joining are much more  likely to:

  • Cycle later and less strongly;

  • Produce fewer healthier embryos;

  • Lose a higher rate of developing embryos early in pregnancy;

  • Calve and lamb over a longer period than necessary;

  • Incur the effects of infections (including parasites).

    • Livestock Central can work with you to create customised programs for managing both females and males leading up to and during natural joining programs.

    Please Contact Us today for more specific information on how our Advanced Production Management Systems can help you maximise conception and pregnancy rates and reduce your calving / lambing period.

     

     

     

     
     

     

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