THE EDUCATIONAL-IMPLICATIONS OF REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED DURING INVESTIGATIONS AT MICHIGAN DAIRY FARMS

This study constitutes the review of 44 dairy herd investigations that were initiated because of complaints relating to decreased reproducti ve efficiency. Each investigation was conducted at the request of the veterinary practitioner who provided the routine reproductive examinat ions and consultations at the farm. Thus the types of problems identif ied were those not resolved by routine veterinary care and management practices. A total of 4.5, 27.3 and 31.8% of the farms, respectively, failed to keep reproductive records, failed to maintain accurate recor ds on events such as breeding dates, or failed to evaluate available s ummary reports with the local veterinary practitioner. Of the 44 farms , 50.0, 38.6, 54.5 and 11.4%, respectively, reported problems related to estrus detection rate, number of days to first service (for reasons other than estrus detection), conception rate and early embryonic dea th. Within each of these reproductive parameters specific problems wer e defined and discussed. Reproductive inefficiency was found to be mos t commonly associated with ineffective estrus detection and decreased conception rate. Most importantly, farm managers and employees frequen tly misunderstood the relationship between the accuracy of estrus dete ction and the conception rate (61.4% of the farms). We therefore ident ified factors which have an impact on dairy herd reproductive efficien cy to suggest topics for training programs for producers and practicin g veterinarians as well as for elective courses for veterinary student s in the area of theriogenology.