Impact Statement for   John H. Wilson

Planning Unit	151 - Madison County
Area	310 - Bluegrass
Reporting Year	2001
Last Updated	06/28/2001 12:01:59 PM
CMAP	5 - Farm Marketing/Management Improvement
PAC	220 - Farm profitability will be enhanced
Title	IMPROVING CONCEPTION RATES THRU SYNCHRONIZATION AND MINERALS

Impact Statement

The Madison County Extension Service has emphasized the need to improve genetics, conception rates, mineral supplementation, and shortening calving season on three (3) demonstration farms this past year. The results of these farms and the dollar added values to these farms are listed. All three (3) farms had been having problems with poor conception rates.

Paul Deaton Farm - The conception rate on this farm had been 87%, calf lost 10% and total percent weaned calf at 75%. Blood samples were taken on this farm and results indicated low selenium and copper. The mineral ration that had been used was low at 5 to 3.5 (calcium to phosphorus) and it should be 2 - 2.5 to 1. The producers moved to a 2:1 (calcium to phosphorus) ratio from January to July with Mg and the same ratio but without Mg from July to January. The mineral also had the highest amounts of selenium and copper that could be added.

The herd health program was improved with recommendations on vaccines from the Extension Service, pregnancy checked in the fall, grub and lice controlled. In other words, all recommended procedure that the Extension Service would suggest for a cow/calf producer.

The results were as follows: The conception rate went up 5% from 87% to 92%; the percent calf lost went down from 10% to 6%; and the calves actually weaned went up from 75% to 87%. This all happened due to ➀ increasing the copper and selenium; ➁ better herd health overall and ➂ improved producer management thru A.I. and synchronization.

This farm has 48 Char/Angus cows. The result of this demonstration (increasing selenium and copper, as well as calcium and phosphorus) was as follows: Past years 36 weaned calves (75%) to 42 weaned calves (87%). With a weaned calf market value of $500 per calf, this producer increased the dollars of calves sold by $3,000 (six (6) more weaned calves sold).

Billy Turpin Farm - A second demonstration farm was used to demonstrate the use of MGA and synchronization to shorten the calving season and to use genetically superior bulls. Fifteen virgin heifers were used in this demonstration. MGA was fed for 14 days; Lutalyse injected twice and Estrodial the day before breeding. All 15 heifers were in standing heat the afternoon before breeding and all heifers A.I. with semen representing the top 25% of the breed in calving ease, weaning weights and yearling weights. The result of this demonstration were that 67% of the heifers were breed A.I. and a clean-up bull used on the remaining. The result being ten (10) heifers will calve within a few days and the remaining within 30 days.

This demonstration shows this producer and others in the county that heifers (and cows) can be synchronized to calve in a short period of time and the top semen in a breed can be used to improve genetics.

Francis Leake Farm - This producer had been having problems with cows not getting bred or breeding 2 - 3 months late. Fescue and June heat problems were believed to be a possible problem. However, in evaluating his pastures, he had an excellent clover mix, and his nutritional program seem to be well above the average.

Blood samples were taken by Dr. Sharko and a synchronization program by Dr. Anderson. This 25 cow herd producer had an 84% conception rate in 1999 or 21 calves out of 25 cows and some of these calves were 2 to 3 months late. The blood samples showed a copper and selenium deficiency. A mineral program was used to up the copper and selenium to the maximum recommended, and a health program recommended by U.K. Also, a Haemophiles Somnus vaccination was given to all cows.

Results of this demonstration were as follows: The conception rate improved by 12% to 96%. A synchronization program was used on these cows with 68% of the cows conceiving A.I. and a clean-up bull on the remaining 28% for a total of 96% conception rate. This producer is a purebred Angus producer selling heifers at $1,000 per head and bulls for $1,500 per head. The demonstration improved the total calf crop by three (3) head (from 21 calves in 1999 to 24 calves last year). A total monetary value of $3,500 to the producers ( two (2) more females at $1,000 each and one (1) more bull at $1,500).

These demonstration farms were on a county tour this last fall for 75 local farmers to see results. Not only will the producers involved in the demonstration receive benefit, but the producers in the county see the results.