Effects of Artificial Insemination vs Natural Service Breeding on Production and Reproduction Parameters in Dairy Herds

Abstract

The effects of four combinations of AI and natural service (NS) breeding on production and reproduction parameters were analyzed using Holstein Dairy Herd Improvement herd summary records for years 1999 through 2002. Herds were assigned to breeding systems (BS) by percentage of NS usage as follows: 1) 0%, 2) 1 to 20%, 3) 21 to 89%, and 4) 90 to 100%. Regions were North, Midsouth, and South. Herd sizes were small (<100 cows), medium (100 to 249 cows), and large (>250 cows). The mean percentages of AI and NS usage over 4 yr by BS were 1) 100%, 0%; 2) 92.9%, 7.1%; 3) 54.2%, 45.8%; and 4) 1.0%, 99.0%. Actual calving interval was shorter (P<0.05) for BS4 compared with the other systems. Herds using a combination of AI and NS (BS2 and BS3) had longer actual calving intervals than did herds in BS1 (P<0.05). Days dry and the percentage of dry periods between 40 to70 d were less for BS1 (P<0.05). The percentage of cows leaving the herd was significantly less for BS4. The percentage of cows leaving the herd for reproductive reasons was greater for BS1 (P<0.05). Overall reproductive efficiency as measured by the percentage of cows in milk and herd milk yield was greater (P<0.05) for BS1 and declined as the percentage of NS increased. Actual calving interval, days dry, and percentage of dry periods between 40 to 70 d were less in the North (P<0.05). Percentage of cows in milk and herd milk yield were greater in the North (P<0.05). Herd milk yield was greater (P<0.05) for large-size herds and decreased with declining herd size.