ARS | Publication request: REPRODUCTION DATA IN USDA DATABASE

Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: February 28, 2005
Publication Date: July 24, 2005
Citation: Wiggans, G.R. 2005. Reproduction data in USDA database [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 88(Suppl. 1):354.

Technical Abstract: The Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory began storing all breedings for cows and heifers in 2003. Some data back to 1997 also were stored. Reproduction data have been acquired for a high proportion of cows in recent years with most herds providing some data. Currently, two record processing centers supply breedings for heifers and up to nine types of reproductive events. The other centers supply the latest breeding each test day and pregnancy confirmation information for cows, but do not supply heifer data and additional reproductive events. Data from 2,336,621 calvings in 2003 and 304,183 heifers born in 2002 were analyzed to determine the portion of data with reproductive events reported. Usable service sire was reported for 89% of the breedings from the two centers with complete reporting, which had 53% of total breeding analyzed. Pregnancy confirmation was reported in 67% of the lactations, of these, 24% were confirmed not pregnant. Of the cows, 86% had at least 1 breeding reported and averaged 2.1 breedings. For heifers, the average number of breedings was 1.5 and breedings were reported for 82% of the heifers. Almost no estrus synchronization and very few cases of embryo transfer, either as a donor or recipient, have been reported. Of herds with 10 or more calvings, 70% had complete reporting and 24% more reported some breedings. Confirmations were reported for 81% of herds with 10 or more calvings. The reproduction data supports daughter pregnancy rate evaluations. For lactations without subsequent calving, pregnancy status is used to improve accuracy of estimates of days open. As pedigree information is added to the database, a calf's sire is checked against its dam's service sire and the provider notified when they differ. The calf's sire is not changed to the service sire because the service sire may be incorrect. This more extensive collection of reproduction information supports improved evaluations of daughter pregnancy rate, planned evaluation of male fertility and further research on fertility.