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ReproStar Award Winners
Seven dairy farms have earned the CentralStar ReproStar Award this year in recognition of their herds reproductive efficiency. Nominations for the award are received from CentralStar team members, and a panel of judges review each dairy’s data, considering multiple factors that influence reproductive efficiency. While the data reflects each dairy’s success, it is the unique approach each one takes that proves most interesting. Even still, two consistent themes were identified among the winners. Increasing the number of mature cows. Commodity prices and the cost of raising forages continues to force the cost of replacement heifers up. To counteract this, herds are milking a higher percentage of older cows. This decreases the number of replacement heifers needed, while increasing pounds of milk shipped per stall. Efficient and effective reproductive programs are vital to lowering cull rate, thus replacement needs.
Improving reproductive efficiency in the heifer population.
Properly-managed heifers tend to have very high fertility rates; however, frequently there are opportunities to gain by breeding in a more timely manner. Lack of labor, adequate facilities, and other variables quickly drive up the number of days on feed, which drives down profitability. One tactic implemented to combat these challenges is using CowManager™. Congratulations to this year’s award winners and their teams that make it possible!
A commitment to healthy, well-grown calves; a passionate A.I. Specialist, along with excellent communication and teamwork are at the backbone of Towns Farms, Inc. reaching a 47% pregnancy rate in their heifer herd. “We strive for healthy well-grown heifers, so they are ready to breed when it is time,” shared Pat Towns, co-owner of Towns Farms, Inc. “Then we turn it over to Marley (Malkow, CentralStar A.I. Specialist) who is extremely passionate about her job and does a great job getting heifers bred.” Starting with calf health, the Towns’ use an accelerated-feeding program to help ensure calves have a long, productive life. Identifying calf-health challenges early and using supportive therapy, instead of antibiotics, is the preferred approach. Heifers are raised on-site, up to six months of age, and are then moved to a heifer grower. Heifers are bred off natural heat, with Marley tail-chalking and walking the pens daily. Pregnancy confirmation is performed monthly, with ultrasound at 30 days carried calf. Twenty-five percent of the heifers are bred using sexed semen, with the balance receiving conventional semen. Evaluation of the dam’s combined fat and protein (CFP), along with the Parent Average Net Merit (NM$) of the heifer, are the parameters used to determine the top 25% of the heifer herd. Conventional semen is used for all repeat breeding. The bottom 20% of heifers, and any over three services are bred to beef. “Opening up the line of communication and being able to streamline data has helped eliminate problem heifers and has created more uniformity in calving,” shared Marley. “If a heifer has been in the breeding pen for a month without any estrus activity, she is palpated to identify the best course of action. If a CL is present, Lutalyse® is administered; if large follicles are identified, GnRH is administered followed by Lutalyse 10-14 days later; and if ovaries are static, they are enrolled in a 5-day CIDRsynch program.” “Marley is very conscientious and willing to go the extra mile to make sure our heifers are ready to breed,” said Mark. “She has a good eye for healthy cattle and a great understanding of the reproductive system of cattle.”
Towns Farms, Inc., is owned and managed by Scott, Nancy, Mark and Pat Towns.
Heifers
Pregnancy Rate 47% Conception Rate 69% Submission Rates 69%
Towns Farms, Inc. Janesville, Wis. Photo: Marley Malkow, Pat and Mark Towns
Belief in the team and fine-tuning timed A.I. protocols have helped push Hillside Dairy LLC to a 42% pregnancy rate in their 250-head Holstein herd. “This past year we changed synchronization protocols and that had a big impact,” shared owner, Mark Steffes. Meeting with their veterinarian, as well as CentralStar team members, Reproductive Consultant Scott Hecker and A.I. Specialist Kurt Barnes, the decision was made to move from Ovsynch to a Presynch-Ovsynch program. The reproductive program starts with a 72-day voluntary waiting period (VWP). Along with the synchronization program, Kurt and A.I. Specialist Aaron McMillan provide tail-chalk and breeding services daily. Pregnancy checks are performed at 29, 60 and 175 days in milk during routine herd checks. Open cows with a CL are administered Lutalyse so they can be bred again the same week. A couple years ago, Hillside Dairy implemented a timed-A.I. program and completed a new transition barn. “Those changes are when we first really started to see major improvements in the reproduction program,” recalled Scott. “But even still, we knew we could do better, so we added Presynch to the protocol. The dairy has also completed a new calf barn in the past year which is improving non-completion rate. While we don’t yet see the benefit of the new calf barn in the reproduction program, we know we will.” “Putting up good-quality feed helps with the breeding program,” stated Mark. Along with that Hillside Dairy’s genetic selection includes fertility traits, with a primary emphasis on high CFP. The dairy uses nearly 100% conventional dairy semen, with sexed semen used only on elite < 500 Cows cows.
Pregnancy Rate 41% “We have a strong belief in the people responsible
Conception Rate 52% for the breeding program,” shared Mark. “I’ll be the first to say that I don’t like all the steps in the synchronization program, but when you are committed to the process and see the results it
Herd in 1st Lactation 38% definitely pays to do it.”
Sexed Semen Used 9% Hillside Dairy LLC is owned by Mark and Missy Steffes.
Hillside Dairy LLC
Mt. Calvary, Wis.
Photo: (Back Row) Mark Steffes, Aaron McMillan, Curtis Steffes. (Front Row) Kurt Barnes, Perry Balazs
“The most important contributor to our program’s success is having healthy cows on a good diet,” said Katelyn Packard, co-owner of Horning Farms, LLC. “Specific to reproduction, implementing CowManager has made a huge difference in conception, as well as our entire program. We’ve increased conception by 15% because we catch cows in heat sooner and know when the best time is to breed.” In September 2020, Horning Farms transitioned from a mostly-timed A.I. program to one that includes CowManager and timed A.I. “All cows are enrolled in a Presynch -11 Ovsynch program and the number of cows that complete this program has been drastically reduced because of CowManager,” said Katelyn. Breeding is performed most often twice a day, however Katelyn noted, “CowManager gives us the information and flexibility to breed at different times based on each cow’s window of activity.” Pregnancy confirmation is performed during bi-weekly herd checks at 31 and 85 days. Cows with a CL are enrolled in Ovsynch and those without a CL present are enrolled in GGPG. The GGPG protocol (GnRH – 7 days – GnRH – 7 days – Prostaglandin – 2 days – GnRH – 1 day – breed A.I. ) is a strategy to improve conception rates, particularly in low-progesterone or non-cycling cows. When cows reach 190-200 days in milk with four services, they are marked do not breed (DNB). The Horning’s focus on healthy cows transcends to their genetic selections. “Considering health traits is a bigger part of our selection,” shared Katelyn. “Along with Net Merit, we use Dairy Wellness Profit Index (DWP$®) and Herd Health Profit Dollars (HHP$™) because they factor in health traits.” Additionally, they use the CowManager Health module to manage the herd’s health. “The health module has changed < 500 Cows the way we manage the herd,” shared Katelyn. “We used to check fresh cows weekly. It was a long
Pregnancy Rate 36% process that took a couple people. With CowManager, we can be targeted in our approach of
Conception Rate 50% monitoring and treating animals. It saves us time and disrupts the cows less.”
Herd in 1st Lactation 34% Horning Farms is a sixth-generation family farm owned by Earl, Jeff, and Mason Horning and
Sexed Semen Used 6% Katelyn Packard.
Horning Farms, LLC
Manchester, Mich.
Photo: Earl Horning, Katelyn Packard, Jeff Horning, Mason Horning, Kristin Klager, Bryan Strahle, Matthew Ste. Marie
The adage, one thing leads to another, sums up how the Kenealy Dairy Farms herd reached 40% pregnancy rate this year. According to owner, Jeff Kenealy, “We watch our conception and pregnancy rates, but weren’t really trying to get to this level. We haven’t changed anything in the past two years, but by doing as many things right and consistent, including putting up high-quality forages, the cows proved they could do it.” Kenealy The breeding program at Kenealy Dairy Farms starts with an 83-day VWP. “Four years ago we had a 70-day VWP and we weren’t getting a full 305-day lactation,” recalled Jeff. “We pushed it back to get more peak Dairy Farms milk, and our rolling herd average (RHA) went up. Pushing it out even further is something we’ve talked about with Neil (Estes, CentralStar A.I. Specialist) and our vet, but I’m not sure, yet, about doing that.” Cadott, Wis. For first service, all cows are enrolled in Double Ovsynch. Neil walks the pens, tail chalks and breeds daily. Pregnancy confirmations are performed by ultrasound at 32, 50 and 200 days carried calf. Open cows without a mature CL are enrolled in a CIDR-synch program and cows with a CL are enrolled in Ovsynch. Cows are marked DNB after five services. “Staying on track, and on time with shots is important, but having a really good technician makes it all work,” said Jeff. “Neil’s attention to detail and love for cattle makes him really good at what he does.” Genetic selection that includes health and fertility traits is one of the Photo: (Back Row) Gaudencio Cuahua, Dr. John Gundlach, Jeff “things” that helps get to these levels. Working with CentralStar consultants, Jeff uses Productive Life (PL) as a primary-selection driver. “We’re using the bulls that are better for fertility and that shows in the cows and their offspring,” Kenealy, Neil Estes. said Jeff. (Front Row) Trista, Timothy and Delton Kenealy So, what’s the next “thing” that may lead to another at Kenealy Dairy? “We won 50 free CowManager tags 500 - 1,500 Cows Pregnancy Rate 40% three years ago and we’ve decided to tag the rest of the herd,” said Jeff. “It’s another set of eyes that monitor the herd 24 hours a day and lets us pick up sick cows sooner.” Conception Rate 52% Kenealy Dairy Farm is owned by Jeff and Trista Kenealy. Jeff’s co-owner and father, the late John Herd in 1st Lactation 29% Kenealy, was an integral part of the farm’s success. They continue on in his memory. Sexed Semen Used 7%
Jauquet Hillview Dairy
Luxemburg, Wis.
Photo: Gary Holterman, Rea Dorzak, Stacy and David Jaquet, Laura Styczynski
All the little things make big things happen. That is a sentiment that the Jauquet Hillview Dairy team practices, and one that has helped them reach a 42% pregnancy rate. “There are many contributors that go into hitting high production, high conception and pregnancy, and low herd turnover,” shared owner, David Jauquet. “It’s paying attention to the finite details that really make the difference.” The reproduction program at the 675-cow herd starts with a 78-day VWP after which all cows are enrolled in a Presynch-Ovsynch program. The synchronization schedule is setup uniquely for the age of animal and pen they are in, with mature cows being bred at 2 a.m. and younger cows at 3 a.m. Early morning-breeding times were established to optimize results during the summer months, and remain throughout the year. Although the dairy has always had high reproductive efficiency, in June, 2021, the protocol was changed to include a double dose of GnRH at the first GnRH in the Ovsynch program. “We saw a 3% increase in conception when we implemented this,” said David. First and second pregnancy confirmations are performed with ultrasound at 32-45 days and 55-69 days. One week prior to the first pregnancy check, cows are enrolled in a resynch program, allowing any open cows with a good CL to be re-enrolled in Ovsynch. A final verification is conducted at dry off using the Milk Pregnancy test on routine DHI samples. Strategic use of sexed and beef semen, along with sexing at pregnancy check help the dairy manage inventory levels. “Our goal is to deliver 20 Holstein heifer calves each month,” said David. “Now we work with Laura (Styczynski, CentralStar Records Analysis Consultant) and use parent average to project the value of calves in utero. This allows us to keep the best heifers for our herd.” 500 - 1,500 Cows “When it comes to breeding cows on timed A.I. minutes Pregnancy Rate 42% matter, not hours,” said David. “There’s not a single magic bullet. It’s all the fine details that go into high production and highly-efficient reproduction.” Conception Rate 52%
Jauquet Hillview Dairy is owned by David and Stacy Jauquet. Herd in First Lactation 33%
“It takes a team,” said co-owner, Jeremy Natzke, when asked how the dairy has achieved a 40% pregnancy rate. “From the team who cares for the calves, to the one that ensures shot compliance, as well as the veterinarian, and the breeding team, it takes all of us working together to get these girls pregnant.” The reproduction program at Wayside Dairy has changed considerably in the past two years. Previously the entire program rested on timed A.I. with once-a-week breeding. In August, 2020, CowManager was installed, and the program changed to a combination of timed A.I. and CowManager, with daily breeding by CentralStar A.I. Specialist Garrett Carnahan. A total of three pregnancy checks are performed. The first check is at 32 days and open cows are enrolled in a resynch program. “Because of CowManager we have more pregnant cows,” said Jeremy. “Relying on CowManager to tell us the best time to breed, instead of interpreting tail chalk, has taken the guesswork out of it. It has also improved how quickly we catch cows that need to be rebred. We are now rebreeding cows between 17-23 days, compared to previously at 32 days after pregnancy check.” “Our reproduction results are better because of better cow health,” stated Jeremy. “With CowManger we find cows that look fine but are really a little bit off. With alerts on our phone, we can see when a problem is just starting for a cow before she is visibly sick. Improved health and fertility go hand in hand.” “We want access to the best genetics available that fit our dairy, so we have enrolled in the NxGEN® program,” shared Jeremy. Sires that excel in health traits, DWP$, and NM$ are selected for matings. Strategic-breeding plans, including genomic testing, allow Wayside Dairy to > 1,500 Cows accelerate genetic progress while managing heifer
Pregnancy Rate 40% inventories, all which Jeremy says plays a role in the improved health and reproduction for the herd.
Conception Rate 52% Wayside Dairy is a fifth-generation farm owned by Dan Natzke and his children Jeremy Natzke
Herd in First Lactation 27% and Jenna Nonemacher.
Sexed Semen Used 31%
Wayside Dairy
Greenleaf, Wis.
Photo: Gary Holterman, Garrett Carnahan, Laura Styczynski, Bob Sabo, Jenna Nonemacher, Jeremy Natzke, Fernando Maceda, Dan Natzke
Attention to detail and high conception on sex-sorted semen pushed Kieler Farms’ reproductive efficiency even higher this past year. Consistently near a 40% pregnancy rate for several years, the 2,000-cow dairy averaged 42% this past year. “Synchronization compliance and nutrition are probably the two biggest factors in high reproductive efficiency, here,” shared co-owner Dr. Daniel Kieler. “Using 4M sexed semen on cows has made a big difference for us. It’s increased conception 10%.” The reproduction program at Kieler Farms centers around Double Ovsynch, for all first-service animals. “We’ve been using Double Ovsynch for three years. It’s the gold standard and gets the best conception rates possible,” commented Daniel. CentralStar A.I. Specialist Brandon Klein walks pens, chalks, and breeds cows, daily. Initial pregnancy checks are conducted at 28 days carried calf, with all cows receiving GnRH one week prior. Open cows are resynched according to ovarian structure. Subsequent pregnancy checks are performed at 50 and 150 days. Fertility and health traits are included in genetic selection with heavypriority consideration given to high DWP$ options. Enrolled in NxGEN, Kieler Farms has early access to the highest-genetic-merit sires available from Select Sires. “We genomic test all animals to identify those with the highest-genetic merit,” said Daniel. “Those animals are the ones bred with sexed semen; the rest of the herd is bred to beef.” “Protocols are designed and followed to maximize reproduction and profitability at Kieler Farms,” shared CentralStar Team Leader Jim Galstad. “High reproductive efficiency is only one piece of what makes this farm successful. They continually evaluate and > 1,500 Cows implement new ideas and technology for continual improvement.”
Pregnancy Rate 42% Kieler Farms, Inc., is a third-generation family farm owned by Louis and Ann Kieler, Eric and Leah
Conception Rate 52% Kieler, Matt and Renee Clark, George and Jackie Kieler, and Daniel Kieler.
