The main problems of dairy herd reproduction

Ensuring weight gain or high milk productivity in cattle is undoubtedly important in farm management. However, one of the most significant and labor-intensive processes is reproduction, which maintains the optimal calving rate and the recovery of productivity in fresh cows.

For large-scale farms, the annual herd replacement rate should be at least 25%. Insufficient production of replacement stock or low productivity rates lead to future problems: the average age of cows in the herd will increase, older animals will require more resources to maintain their viability, and the breeding value of high-producing animals will decline.

Currently, the optimal strategy for successful reproduction is as follows: one calf per cow per year. To achieve these targets, it is essential to strictly follow the reproduction schedule and ensure a high level of veterinary care for the cows.

One of the main problems in reproduction, obvious as it may sound, is deficiencies in housing and feeding: unbalanced rations, lack of vitamin-mineral supplements, poor bedding quality, inadequate temperature conditions, irregular cleaning and disinfection, or elevated gas levels in the air, among others. All these factors cause stress for the animal, which leads to an extended service period – not to mention diseases that develop against the background of unfavorable conditions.

Gynecological disorders account for more than half of all cases involving impaired reproduction. Endometritis in the postpartum period, caused by contamination of the birth canal with pathogenic microflora, leads to the inability to carry a fetus to term due to inflammation of the uterine mucosa.
Often, after a severe case of endometritis and in the absence of proper treatment, a cow may become permanently infertile.

Most often, the cause of endometritis in cows is uterine trauma and infection during obstetric assistance, retained placenta, lack of uterine sanitation after calving, or violations of disinfection protocols during and after parturition – as a result, pathogenic bacteria enter the uterus and trigger inflammatory processes.

For the prevention of postpartum endometritis, the uterotonic product Uteroton is well suited, reducing the risk of postpartum endometritis in cows by 2.7 times. It belongs to non-hormonal products for uterine stimulation during calving and promotes placental expulsion. For prevention, a single administration during or after calving is sufficient; the therapeutic course as part of complex therapy consists of three administrations at 12-hour intervals.

Another product for the prevention of postpartum endometritis is Sepranol. It is used for uterine cavity sanitation. Thanks to chlorhexidine and propranolol in its composition, it effectively combats infectious lesions caused by a broad spectrum of bacteria while simultaneously cleansing uterine contents through enhanced contractile activity.

Diagnosis is made by a veterinarian based on external examination, rectal and vaginal assessment, and laboratory analysis of vaginal discharge and blood. In the treatment of endometritis in cattle, Lexoflon has proven highly effective – a latest-generation veterinary antibiotic with broad bactericidal activity for intramuscular administration, which is completely absorbed and reaches maximum concentration within 2 hours after injection. Clinical practice demonstrates positive recovery dynamics within 1-2 days. Treatment course: 3-5 days; one injection per day is sufficient. To stimulate uterine activity and eliminate infections, Sepranol is also used.

Antibiotic therapy is selected by the veterinarian based on the identified microbial sensitivity profile. In addition to Lexoflon, options may include: Ceftonit, Ceftonit Forte, Amoxygard, Amoxicillin 150, and others.

Failure to follow the reproduction protocol and errors in monitoring are another common reason for declining reproduction rates. The fact is that before starting estrus synchronization, a thorough assessment of the physiological status of each animal must be conducted: only healthy individuals should be included in the reproduction protocol. Additionally, inaccuracies in the administration of hormonal products – untimely injection, insufficient injection depth, administration into poorly vascularized tissues, or cost-cutting on quality products – lead to low effectiveness of the reproduction program.

High-quality hormonal preparations are effective, such as:

• Regostenol – helps effectively regress the corpus luteum and initiate the estrous cycle
• Fergolin — promotes ovulation and the production of reproductive hormones.

Thus, by following an optimal synchronization protocol, maintaining high standards of housing and feeding for cattle, and ensuring timely veterinary care, reproduction problems in the dairy herd can be minimized, achieving high profitability and economic efficiency for the entire farm.