R E P R O D U C T I V E
5OO-2,OOO COWS
M A N A G E M E N T
EXCELLENCE
IN REPRODUCTION
5OO-2,OOO COWS Award Winners
PLAT I N UM
SCHILLING FARMS Darlington, Wis The Schilling family has proudly been a Genex member since August 2001. The management team at Schilling Farms consists of father Bill Schilling and sons, Andy and Brian. Brian Schilling is the herd manager and credits their entire herd management team as having a part in their reproductive success. “Communication between employees, our Genex representatives and veterinarian have been the key to reproductive success,” states Brian Schilling. With a herd of 600 cows, Schilling Farms has a pregnancy rate of 36% and a first service conception rate of 52%. As a dairy planning to expand over the next few years, it is important for heifers to calve in with high genetic levels in a timely manner. By incorporating the use of GenChoice™ semen in their heifer breeding program, Schillings are able to focus on expanding their herd internally. GenChoice 90™ is used on all heifers’ first service and GenChoice 75™ on the second service.
G O LD
J Left to right, Brian Schilling, Andy Schilling and Genex Area Marketing Manager Tony Hoeger
SEIDL'S MOUNTAIN VIEW DAIRY
Luxemburg, Wis.
After building a freestall barn and double-20 parallel parlor in 2003, Al Seidl began milking cows at Seidl’s Mountain View Dairy. The next year, a special needs barn was added, and the herd grew to 600 cows. In 2007, another freestall barn was erected to help house the now 1,100-cow herd. When asked what contributes to the farm’s reproductive success, herd manager Steve Paider (pictured above) answered, “Lots. It’s like a puzzle. If you remove one piece, it’s not complete.” Steve also notes the importance of consistency, “There is a protocol for everything and that protocol must be followed.” In the repro program, which includes a 12-day Presynch program, all shots are given by the same person, shots are given at the same time each week and cows are bred in the same order shots are given. Two individuals handle A.I. One breeds one week and the other the following week. In attaining a 33% pregnancy rate with 86% of cows pregnant by 150 DIM, “It’s about paying attention to the cows,” shares Steve. “It’s about taking the time, having the right people in place and paying attention to the details.”
H O N O RA B LE MENTI O N ©2014 CRI
S I LV ER
SPURLEY DAIRY FARMS
Linden, Wis.
Reproduction is a very important piece of total farm management at Spurley Dairy in Linden, Wis. So important, herd manager Brittany Spurley knew she needed to make a change in their breeding program. This change included bringing Genex sires and service to their herd. Brittany was able to take their reproduction program to the next level of success. In just 15 months, Spurley Dairy increased their pregnancy rate to 29% with 65 DIM at first service with 81% pregnant by 150 DIM.
J Brittany Spurley and Genex Service Specialist Dakota Bockenhauer
Spurley Dairy is another great example of a family owned and operated dairy. Dad, Dan Spurley, is general manager and his wife Cheryl does the accounting. Daughter Brittany is the herd manager, while son Shaun works with the crops and equipment. Brittany takes full advantages of all the options available to dairy producers today to become more profitable. Spurley Dairy uses GenChoice™ semen, genomic tests heifer calves and partakes in the Genex Breeding to Feeding™ program.
CHAPUT FAMILY FARMS North Troy, Vt. H O R I Z O N S
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