Achieving improved cycling, tighter calving patterns and higher milk yield

AHV’s proactive Uterine Health & Fertility Program

In recent years, AHV has enabled farmers to switch from reactive to proactive herd health. Keeping your animal’s healthy and supporting them in specific stressful periods of their cycle leads to an optimization in fertility and extended longevity, furthermore it give a boost to dairy cow welfare. AHV’s proactive Uterine Health & Fertility Program has shown to improve cycling, tighten calving patterns, and heighten milk yields.

Productive animals are an essential part to a dairy farm’s success. After calving, the uterus undergoes a recovery phase before it can resume the reproductive cycle. A healthy uterus has a positive influence on fertility parameters, indicating that high fertility is not only essential for economic performance, but it also reflects the overall health and welfare of each cow.

This program includes the AHV Metri Tablet, StartLac Paste (or StartLac Tablet) and Aspi Tablet. Together, these products support uterine recovery post-calving and set the cow up for her next pregnancy and a great start to lactation. Data has shown improved milk production in the first 21 days of lactation, reduced uterine health challenges and a 3% higher conception rate.

Trial introduction

A trial was conducted on a farm located in the English town of Cambridge. In total, 205 Holstein Friesian dairy cows participated in the trial. Approximately half of this herd (105 dairy cows) received the AHV Uterine Health & Fertility Program as soon as possible after calving. The other half of this health (100 dairy cows) were matched to the AHV test group. As they were selected on age and production levels, similar to the cows in the AHV group.

For all cows in the AHV group, the Metri, StartLac and Aspi Tablet will be implemented via the following protocol.

Trial results

The results of this trial showed that the cows who received the AHV Uterine Health & Fertility Program cycled earlier and got in calf earlier. Additionally, late calvers had a lower empty rate when compared to control.

The collected data shows that dairy cows of the AHV group started cycling on average 36 days post-calving. On the other hand, the cows in the control group (that did not receive AHV products) started cycling around 72 days post-calving. Figure 1 shows that 57% of dairy cows in the AHV group had 3 or 4 heats prior to the start of mating versus 0% for cows of the control group. These control cows only showed 1 or 2 heats prior to start of mating. Of the AHV group, 7.8% did not get in heat prior to the start of mating. Of the control group, 76.6% did not get in heat prior to the start of mating. Getting cows cycling and pregnant earlier is often and indicator for more milk in the following lactation.

*Figure 1: Number of heats prior to the start of mating for the AHV group and the control group.*

This herd began mating in October. In the first two weeks of this process, 78% of AHV group got pregnant in the first two weeks of mating, which is quite a difference regarding the control cows. As you can see in figure 2, in this control cow group, 51% got pregnant in the first two weeks of mating. As a result, the AHV test group delivered more milk in this lactation and a more compact calving pattern is expected for next season.

*Figure 2: Number of inseminations and non-return for AHV group and control group.*

Figure 3 shows the total number of cows getting pregnant per week during the mating period, it also shows the non-returning cows. Of the late calving cows, the AHV group showed an 11% lower empty rate compared to control group (24% versus 35%). This can be of benefit to farmers who would like to have a more compact calving pattern. Overall, both AHV and control cows had an 18% empty rate.

Figure 3: Number of inseminations and non-return animals for late calves in AHV group and control group.

Combining Transition and Uterine Health & Fertility Program

The proactive AHV Uterine Health & Fertility Program (Metri Tablet, StartLac and Aspi Tablet) can help set up your herd successfully for their lactation and next pregnancy with zero milk or meat withhold.

However, to also support the cows in their energy demand, it would be advised to combine or Uterine Health & Fertility Program with our Transition Program by simply adding the Booster Tablet. The combination of these two programs allows the cow to be fully prepared for calving, in terms of energy levels in the period before calving. After calving, the products support the cow with the right vitamins and minerals, while also cleaning the uterus and promoting uterine contractions.

The proactive Transition and Uterine Health & Fertility Program the products will be administrated via the following protocol.