Induction Programs and Inducing Dairy Cows

Why Induce?

Inducing cows to calve early is a very valuable management tool for the seasonal calving farmer, but it should not be used as a substitute for good management.

The aim of inducing cows should be to shift late calving young cows in the current year to become early calving cows the following year. The benefits of inductions are not seen until subsequent years when the cow calves to AI and milks for a full lactation.

Old cows present a significant risk of death or complications following induction. We don't recommend inducing cows after their 3rd lactation. Younger cows are more likely to respond favourably following induction and conceive early the following year.

Inductions are of great benefit when the calving pattern is being tightened, when herd numbers are being increased or after there have been problems with submission rate or conception rate.

Once a herd is at a constant state, the influx of early calving heifers each year will keep the calving pattern constant.

If you find your calving pattern slipping, the solution will not be inducing a large percentage of cows every year but looking to the following areas;

  • Having adequate numbers (20 - 25 % of herd) of well grown, early calving heifers every year.
  • Identifying and treating non cycling cows early. See the Non Cycling Cows page for more information.
  • Using heat detection aids throughout the AI period.
  • Using professional AI technicians.
  • Having adequate numbers (1 bull / 30 empty cows) of fit and healthy bulls that have been vaccinated for vibrio.

back to top

Planning Introductions

Cows are best induced when 9-12 weeks from their natural calving date. To acheive this the most important information needed is when the cow is due to calve. The most accurate method available for knowing when a cow is going to calve is manual rectal palpation. See the Pregnancy Testing page for more information.

Due to the limitations of late gestation preg testing the later the pregnancy testing is done, the harder it is to accurately age the foetus and we are forced to leave inducing cows until we are happy they will respond favourably. This may be only 4-6 weeks before they are due.

These cows may take more than a week to respond to the injection and calve, and are therefore only calving 3-5 weeks before they were due. If the cow has a post calving infection her cycling may be delayed and the end result is she will again be late next season.

There is little if anything gained in this situation. If these cows were identified earlier and the induction planned to occur 9-12 weeks before the due date, the maximum benefit of inductions can be realised.

Induced cows should have a dry period of at least 7 weeks. The condition of induced cows at the time of induction is critical to the success of the program. Cows gain condition easier when lactating, it is easier to feed concentrates at milking time and grain is cheaper than hay on a dollar per energy ratio. In some situations it may be best to delay drying off to get cows in appropriate condition for inducing. This will also delay inductions.


back to top

Summary

  • Don't use inductions as a substitute for good management
  • Induce only young cows.
  • Calving induction provides its greatest benefits when cows are induced 9-12 weeks prior to their natural calving date.
  • Benefits from calving inductions are realised in the following season because of a tighter calving pattern, more cows joined to AI and longer lactations.
  • Induced cows need a minimum seven week dry period.
back to top