Abstract #M255

# M255
Reproductive performance of North American dairies by geographic region.
Cristian F. Vergara*1,2, Flavio Bitencourt1, Lydia M. Johnson1, Diego Vallejo1, Hernando Lopez1, 1ABS Global Inc, DeForest, WI, 2ABS Chile Ltda, Santiago, Chile.

Our objectives were to compare reproductive indicators from Holstein, Jersey and Crossbred dairies in 4 regions of United States of America and establish benchmarks for the 20% most efficient herds. Data from 290,351 cows and their records in DC305 were collected from February to November 2014 from a sample of 162 ABS customers. Regions (herds) represented were: Eastern (E; n = 28), Midwestern (MW; n = 58), Northwestern (NW; n = 10), and Southwestern (SW; n = 66). Univariated analyses were conducted with the MIXED and FREQ procedures of SAS using herd as the experimental unit. The Regions differed (P < 0.05) by mean (SE) herd size (E = 1,022 ± 580; MW = 690 ± 537; NW = 4,919 ± 496; SW = 2,760 ± 533) and kg of daily milk production (E = 37.4 ± 1.7; MW = 36.1 ± 1.6; NW = 32.3 ± 1.5; SW = 36.5 ± 1.6). Crossbred were not represented in the South Regions and Jerseys not represented in MW, making this effect significant (P < 0.05). The West Regions had a lower use of timed AI (P < 0.05) than E and MW (E = 46.1%; MW = 49.1%; NW = 17.6%; SW = 15.4%); but a lower conception rate (CR) (P < 0.05) than E and MW Regions (E = 36.6%; MW = 36.9%; NW = 31.5%; SW = 32.7%). Regarding insemination risk, only MW did lower (P < 0.05) than the other 3 Regions (E = 63.8%; MW = 52.8%; NW = 62.3%; SW = 61.8%). As a result, the E Region had the best pregnancy risk (PR) and MW the lowest (E = 22.9%; MW = 18.2%; NW = 20.0%; SW = 20.3%). The West Regions reported a higher (P < 0.05) pregnancy loss (E = 11.4%; MW = 10.3%; NW = 16.0%; SW = 13.3%). The 20% most efficient herds based on PR ranking (n=71) had a mean PR of 24%. Breeds were represented in both strata and was not a significant effect (P > 0.05). The top 20% had a 10 points higher insemination risk (mean 64%) and a 6 points higher CR (mean 38%) than bottom 80% (P < 0.05). Additionally, they breed open cows at pregnancy diagnosis 3 days earlier (mean 10 ds), but did not differ in timed AI usage (P > 0.05). The top 20% herds were not different in their daily milk production, voluntary waiting period, and pregnancy loss in comparison with the bottom 80% (P > 0.05). Despite regional differences, the best combination of factors led the East Region to achieve the highest PR. The top 20% herds in PR had higher overall reproduction but did not differ in herd management performance with the bottom 80%. Further analysis is needed.

Key Words: dairy, reproduction