Setting Goals to Improve Breeding Strategies

William M. Graves, Extension Dairy Scientist

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Problem identification is the first step in establishing objectives and goals to improve reproductive management in a dairy herd. Management is determining what must be done and achieving results through the efforts of yourself and your employees.

Use the following worksheet to evaluate herd reproductive performance and set goals to improve your breeding strategies. Then develop a tactical plan to achieve these goals using the second worksheet. List those involved on your management team and their responsibilities. Include your extension agent, veterinarian and other consultants.

Herd Summary Reproductive Management Worksheet
Name: _______________________________________			Herd Code: __________________________
Using your Herd Summary Sheet (DHI-202), calculate or identify the following:
For the Breeding Herd:			Your Herd	Georgia Average*	Goal
1. Total Cows in Breeding Herd			________	145	>100
2. Voluntary Waiting Period (Days)			________	57	<50
3. Avg. Days to 1st Service			________	99	<70
For the Total Herd:
4. % of Possible Heats Observed			________	30	>70
5. Avg. Days to 1st Service (All Lactation)			________	104	<80
6. Services per Pregnancy for Preg. Cows (All Lactation)			________	2.1	2.0
7. Services per Pregnancy for All Cows (All Lactation)			________	3.3	2.5
8. Calving Interval (All Lactation)			________	15.2	12.5
9. Avg. Days Open (All Lactation)			________	181	100
10. Services for Past 12 Months
-	A. Number of Services		________	526	>300
	B. % Successful	1st	________	50	>50
		2nd	________	43	>40
		3rd	________	32	>30
		Total	________	43	>40
11. Miscellaneous
	A. Avg. Days Dry		________	73	60
	B. Avg. Age 1st Lactation		________	26	23-25
	C. Identified Predicting Females (All Lactation)		________	40	>98
	D. Cows Leaving Herd/Repro.		________	21	>35
* Values from DHI202 for State of Georgia Averages (4/2009).

Next, you need a plan. Use the following form to better define your goals. Tasks should be precise and itemized for each plan of action. Tasks describe exactly who, what, when, where and how activities will take place in order to accomplish each goal.

Finally, remember that re-training is essential. Your goals should be important to the overall breeding strategies of the operation. Assign the right person to each task. Consider a pay incentive for completing each task or accomplishing each goal. Make sure with your plan you know what is going to be measured, who is going to do it, when it should be done, and how you are going to know things are better.

Bulletin 1213 / Revised May 2009

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