Have you tipped any cows lately? Cow tipping has become quite the rage. Yes, I said cow tipping! If you type “cow tipping” into Google.com, you will find at least 200,000 different websites that deal directly with cow tipping. Unfortunately, after sifting through all 200,000 sites, I did not find one site that referred to cow tipping as a way to reward a cow for a job well done. I’m sure you’ve tipped a waitress for a job well done. Right? But are you rewarding your cows for a job well done?

So, how do you reward your cows? The answer: Give them what they need to succeed.

If cows are well fed, handled well in the parlor, clean and comfortable and receiving the vaccines they need, they will succeed. And interestingly enough, it appears the cows that are the healthiest produce the most milk. Generally speaking, cows that produce more milk make more money.

In past Telfarm data from Michigan State, net farm income per cow increased linearly from $524 to $879 as production increased from 19,000 to 29,000 pounds of milk sold per cow per year. The bottom line: You scratch her back and she will produce, and make money, for you! (I say this figuratively, but literally automatic back scratchers are nice additions to the freestall barn.)

Healthier cows reproduce better

Several studies during the past two decades indicate that the greater the herd milk production, the greater the difficulty getting cows pregnant. But does that mean the highest producing cows in a herd are the most difficult to get pregnant? Not necessarily!

Recent data from our laboratory indicate otherwise. In an Ovsynch conception rate study, we found some very interesting information in the relationship between milk production and fertility. To look at the relationship between milk production and reproduction, we divided the entire group based on average daily milk production per cow from data collected from the nearest test day. Artificial insemination (A.I.) was performed within two weeks of a test day. All data were from first inseminations between 65 and 71 days in lactation. The bottom line: Cows with above-average milk production had greater conception rates than cows with below-average production.

Why? The logical answer is because they are healthier. As you could imagine, most of the cows with a health-related problem either at calving or in early lactation were likely in the below-average milk production group.

Reproductive disorders that may reduce peak milk production include:

•twinning

•stillbirth

•dystocia (difficult births)

•retained placenta

•metritis

•pyometra (uterine infection)

Even cows with ketosis and displaced abomasums have a greater chance of having a uterine infection.

Of these disorders, twinning may have the most profound effect on subsequent milk production and reproductive performance. Cows that have twins have a greater likelihood of retained placenta, metritis, pyometra, a reduction in peak milk and a greater potential for breeding problems. Even cows with ketosis and displaced abomasums have a greater chance of having a uterine infection.

A number of dairy herds have had a substantial increase in twins over the past few years. Data from Wisconsin suggest that increased twinning is tied to an increase in milk production via an increase in double ovulations. Most of the problems associated with twinning can be attenuated by intensifying the management of cows carrying twins. Thus, preparing cows carrying twins for the subsequent lactation is of paramount importance. Knowing which cows are pregnant with twins is obviously important. If your veterinarian is not already looking for twins at pregnancy diagnosis, this may be something you will want to request.

A number of veterinarians are using ultrasound with a 5 MHz transducer for pregnancy diagnosis for greater accuracy of diagnosis and because ultrasound allows much easier diagnosis of twins compared to palpating. Right now, there is no way to decrease numbers of double ovulations, but there are a few things that can be done to get these cows off to a better start.

Once cows carrying twins are identified, this information can be used to ensure sufficient time in the pre-fresh group (remember cows that have twins usually calve early), to ensure cows are at the ideal body condition score at calving (cows carrying twins are generally too thin at calving) and to ensure the cow will be taken care of properly at the time of calving. Diet and management of bST in late lactation is important not only in cows carrying twins but in other cows that may be too fat or too thin at that time. Disorders that arise from calving difficulties such as metritis and pyometra may sometimes be unavoidable. But most cases can be avoided by proper cleaning and sanitation of calving pens.

High expectations

We expect a lot of our cows. We are pushing the limits of genetic potential more than ever. Recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST), three- and four-times-a-day milking, increase in genetic merit and new technologies will continue to push the limits of milk production of dairy cows. There are a number of herds now beyond the 30,000-pound mark.

Are these herds reaching these milestones genetically or by more intensive management? Interestingly, the difference in milk production from genetics in a 15,000-pound herd verus a 30,000-pound herd is only about 1,000 pounds. The remainder of the difference is primarily due to management.

In other words, there is a lot of potential milk to be made by intensifying the management of our herds. Does this mean that genetics is not important? Absolutely not! An additional 1,000 pounds of milk each year amounts to about $140 per cow, and it is a permanent increase in production. That is a significant margin of profit in many herds.

Summary

Spend a little of that hard-earned money in the form of a gratuity for your cows. Give them the treatment they deserve, and in return they will take care of you. Milk production and reproduction go hand in hand. Take care of the management strategies that improve reproduction, and in turn, milk production, cow health and happiness will be maximized. PD

References are available upon request. editor@progressivedairy.com

Richard Pursley

Reproductive Physiologist at Michigan State University

To contact Richard, e-mail him at pursleyr@msu.edu