Taking care of bovine semen tanks and semen

Although semen costs are only a small fraction of overall dairy farm expenses, the absolute value of the semen inventory at any given time may represent a significant sum of money. Semen is half the investment in a dairy farm, without which the next generation will not be born and hence no milk. It is important to take good care of the semen as well as the tank in which it is stored.

Liquid nitrogen is an atmospheric gas in liquidized form.  It is a cryogenic fluid that can cause almost instant freezing when it comes in contact with living tissue.  A liquid nitrogen tank keeps its materials well below the freezing point of water.  Contact with skin would cause instant frostbite.

Semen is stored in Liquid Nitrogen Tanks (LN2) and the temperature is -195 deg C at the bottom of the tank and there is a gradient from top to bottom.

Although tanks are designed to be sturdy and dependable, they are more fragile than they appear. They require regular care and attention to ensure they function properly for many years. Failure to do so can lead to lost inventory, or reduced pregnancy rates because semen quality is compromised.

A - LID / B - NECK / D - LOCKING TAB / F - CANISTER NUMBERING  (color coded)

Few tips to take care of the LN2 Tank 

1. Store the semen tank in a dry, well-lighted and well-ventilated area but out of direct sunlight. Tank must not be put in a place where there is excessive water or chemical use. Observe the tank daily. Once a tank “goes bad” the nitrogen is lost very rapidly. Develop a plan to have an alternative semen tank available in case your tank is damaged. 

2. Keep the tank elevated above the concrete floor or other wet and poorly ventilated surfaces. Corrosion of the outer shell shortens the functional life of the tank and possibly causes tank failure.

3. Avoid excessive movement or abuse of the tank. Any stress cracks (which normally appear on the neck), must be taken seriously.

4. Frost is one of the key external warning signs prior to tank failure. A properly functioning tank will not develop frost on the outside. Frost buildup around the outside top of your tank, particularly around the neck, indicates a vacuum loss - which results in rapid volatilization of the liquid nitrogen. Semen quality can be compromised under these circumstances. Keep in mind that this frosting usually happens quickly and doesn't last too long because the liquid nitrogen has escaped.

5. Routinely monitor nitrogen levels and keep a record of nitrogen usage. Remember even new tanks can have defects and fail. The temperature in the neck of the tank becomes warmer as the liquid nitrogen level in the tank decreases.  Never let the tank go dry.

6. The tank's cork is handled frequently every time semen is retrieved, it should be inspected monthly to make sure it is doing its job. A poor quality cork increases the boil-off rate by 20 percent to 30 percent. That's because insulation properties decrease for these corks and more heat gets into your tank. Exposing an open tank to the environment and wind can multiply the boil-off rate by up to 8 times the normal amount.

One person should be made responsible for the tank, create a checklist of things to do and check along with a timetable. This will help in plugging any loopholes and minimize damage to the investment.

Retrieval techniques also help in limiting the damage to the semen

When removing a straw from a liquid nitrogen tank, it is imperative that the technician keep the canister, cane and unused semen straws as low as possible in the neck of the tank. A best management practice is to keep all unused straws below the frost-line in the neck of the tank.

Location on the Neck Tube	Range in Temperature in Deg C
TOP	+2.2 to +12.2 Deg C
1 inch from TOP	-15 to - 22.2 Deg C
2 inch from TOP	- 40 to – 46 Deg C
3 inch from TOP	- 75 to – 82 Deg C
4 inch from TOP	- 100 to – 120 Deg C
5 inch from TOP	- 140 to – 160 Deg C
6 Inch from TOP	- 180 to – 197 Deg C
Source: Pennsylvania University newsletter – IRM-11	Typical Temperatures in Field Semen Tanks in USA

Keep in mind that although the temperature of liquid nitrogen is -195 degrees C, there is a temperature gradient in the neck of the tank. For example, a tank with a neck tube that measures six inches long may have a temperature of -75 degrees C in the middle of the neck (3 inches below the top), while the temperature at 1 inch below the top may be + 2.2 degrees C. Reports have shown that sperm injury (as judged by sperm motility) occurs at temperatures as low as -78.8 degrees C. Furthermore, injury to sperm cannot be corrected by returning semen to the liquid nitrogen.

Use tweezers/angled forceps to retrieve the straws and keep the canisters as low as possible and do not use the fingers as they might get damaged due to frostbite. If the technician is unable to retrieve the straw in 10 seconds, the canister should be lowered and allowed to re-cool for 20 seconds before trying again. More time in a warm zone leads to partial thawing and can compromises the semen quality.

More about handling frozen semen in the next blog

Amit Sachdev

India consultant

World Wide Sires

Email: indiawws@gmail.com

Steps to Improve Dairy Herd Performance - 2

I do hope the information in the 5 first set of tips was useful. The second set of 5 tips can be found below.  

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6. Fresh cow monitoring: Develop a program to assess the condition of the herd for at least 15 days after calving. Observations should be made to identify cows that may not be eating well, show signs of a health problem or infection, mastitis, lameness, and any other condition that would affect the cow. Cows that show signs of problems should be treated to correct the problem quickly. This program will have a significant impact on the performance of the herd in terms of both milk production and reproduction.

7. Reproduction Performance is the key to success: A set of goals for reproduction for the farm are a must and the people must strive to achieve those goals. Estrus detection is a key factor in achieving pregnancies. A  program should be made (Standard Operating Procedure- SOP) that ensures cows are observed for estrus, and that appropriate steps are taken. Farms should have an estrus detection rate of 75% or greater if they are to have a good reproduction program. Be sure the people who are to be observing the cows know both the primary and secondary signs of estrus. If  cows are not found in heat, then they can't be inseminated. 

8. A good milking routine is important: It is very important that every cow is milked at the same way every time. A routine prepares the cow for the milk harvesting process and will not only speed the milking process, but will also improve production. Milk the cows on a regular schedule. High quality milk depends on cows being milked properly using good milking hygiene and checking for mastitis in the cows. High Somatic Cell Counts have a negative impact on both milk production and reproduction.

9. The heifer raising program is the key to the future herd: Feeding and management are very important factors in raising heifers that will be high producing cows that are healthy and last in the herd for a long period of time. Monitor the growth of the heifers, they should be strong but not fat, and ensure they are of adequate size to breed at 14 to 15 months of age so they are in the milking herd at 23 to 25 months of age. A poorly managed heifer raising program results in lower producing cows that do not last long in the herd. (http://wwsdairyinfo.blogspot.com/2010/03/calf-rearing-for-successful-dairy.html)

10. Maintain records. Keeping records is essential. Records should be easy to access and should summarize data quickly. Production records should be available to the key personnel on the farm so they can monitor performance. Record keeping and monitoring the records allows the management to identify problems in the herd and it is much easier to correct a small problem before it becomes a large problem. 

Along with all the above tips it is important that the animals are tagged and SOP's are set in place for all the things that are done at the farm. The farm should not be dependent on the persons and missing/absent persons should not mean that the general things will not be done. Anyone and everyone should have access to the SOP's and things should be followed.

Amit Sachdev

India Consultant

World Wide Sires

E mail: indiawws.gmail.com

Steps to Improve Dairy Herd Performance

Steps to Improve Dairy Herd Performance

Herd Management is time management, food and water management and people management. When systems are put in place and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) practiced, a herd or for that matter a any business will flourish. Any change in temperature, feed and people affects the animals more than anything. All beings, including animals are creatures of routine and habit and it helps by not deviating from the routine.

Below are the set of first 5 tips that can help dairy farmers manage their herds better increase production. The second set of tips will be posted next week, Mar 24, 2010.

The tips are contributed by Mr.Lindell Whitelock, Technical Consultant, World Wide Sires, USA, who has traveled the world and has the experience from varied areas that can be used in India. 

The latest news is GOI has allowed import of 30,000 MT of Skimmed Milk Power and 15,000 MT of butter oil at ZERO duty. Both the commodities are under Tariff Rate Quota  (TRQ) regime and imports will be allowed to designated agencies after TRQ allocations are obtained from Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). This also means that milk is deficit and the summer months will be a litmus test for the dairy farmers and companies.

India's population is increasing much faster than the demand for milk and milk products. It is important that farmers manage their herds better and produce enough, quality milk, by using new technologies for breeding, feeding and  management.

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Dairy farmers are always looking for ways to improve the production from the animals and profitability of the farm. Many times a new technology is to be adopted, but most times improvements in production can be made by observing the basic rules of good cow care and management. As farmers or farm mangers go about their daily tasks, they often over look the most basic issues that have a definitive impact on the herd.

1. Forage Quality: The key to a good nutrition program is to have good forage. Forages provide the material needed for good rumination in the cow, and rumination is what provides the buffers to keep a balanced pH in the rumen. Low quality forage reduces intake, leads to sub clinical acidosis, and lameness in the herd. The dairy farmer’s first priority must be to either produce or purchase high quality forages. Most of the farmers depend of more or dry fodder, which may be good fillers, but do not provide the necessary nutrients needed to produce milk or maintain the animal.

2. Consistency in the Feeding Program: It is important that cows be fed the same feeds every day at the same time. A cow likes to eat multiple times throughout the day so it is vital she have access to feeds 24 hours a day. Ensure that the feed is mixed the same way each day, with a correct particle size, and the proper moisture level that will encourage feed intake. It is also important to look at the manure as well as the left over feed in the manger (feed bunk). A monitoring system for nutrition is important and changes in the feed are inevitable, but must be planned and made slowly so as the animals get adjusted to the change in feed ingredient. An immediate change is likely to bring a drop in milk production or cause other problems.

3. Comfortable Cows Make More Milk: Cow comfort means the cows should have a resting place that is clean and dry. It also means they should have walking areas that provide good footing and are comfortable for the cows to walk on. It also means that cows should be kept COOL. High temperatures, high humidity and a stall that is not well designed create stress for the cow. Stress reduces feed consumption that will impact milk production. Make sure your entire facility is cow friendly. Puddles on water. dung heaps or hard floors all cause stress. In hot temperatures, soakers/misters with fans be utilized. In high humidity areas, moving air faster would be a better option.

4. Feed and Water accessibility 24X7 is the key: Cows eat and drink very often, hence it is important that feed and water are always available. Time out of the feeding area should be limited to 1 hour or less. Cows like to eat less at each meal and then ruminate between meals. It is important to observe the resting cows and determine how many are chewing their cuds. Ensure the feed bunk (manger) is correctly constructed and that cows are comfortable while at the bunk. Provide adequate amounts of water and adequate facilities so cows can have access to water (24X7). Animals are creatures of habit, would drink water if it is provided at long intervals and will wait for the next round of water cycle, which is not desirable, hence 24X7 clean water must be made available to the cows.

5. A dry cow management program and transition ration: The dry period is very important and should not be neglected. During the dry period dry cows be segregated from lactating cows and a ration of high fiber, low protein and energy be fed. Avoid letting cows get too much body fat! Three weeks before the expected calving date, a transition ration must be made available. Transition ration is very similar to the lactating ration. It is also important to keep the dry cows in very clean sanitary housing to reduce the risk of infections after calving.

I do hope the information is of value. Watch this space for the next set of tips.

Happy Dairying

Amit Sachdev

India Consultant

World Wide Sires, USA

E mail: indiawws@gmail.com

Calf rearing – for a successful dairy farming operation

Calf rearing – for a successful dairy farming operation 

A healthy female calf is the starting point for a profitable dairy farm business. It is from day one that the foundation for the high milk-yielding animal is laid and proper rearing of the young ones greatly influences the future production.

The first few months in the calf’s life are much more important than most people realize. Proper attention should be paid to the rearing of young calves and there should be no lacunae. The person in charge of calf rearing has one of the most responsible jobs on the farm and he/she must be fully aware of this responsibility.

The main purpose of rearing young ones is to raise well–developed heifers, which will be able to achieve a desired weight for first insemination to calve at an early age to cater to farmer’s own breeding herd or to make available good quality pregnant cows to the industry.

Some of the advantages of early calving are lower rearing costs, early productivity and a higher life-time milk production, thus making the milking animals more profitable.

For the prevention of problems at calving time, it is of utmost importance that the heifers are well developed. The optimal time of first insemination is more depended on body weight than age. Some heifers may be able to achieve the desired weight in 14 months; others may achieve the same in 16 months of age. Thus the proper age for insemination and calving are governed by the development of the heifer. Though good young stock rearing practices, it is possible to inseminate the heifers at an average age of about 14 – 15 months, which results in an average calving of about 24 months.

Feeding Colostrum

Colostrum is defined as the secretion from the mammary gland of the mammals during the first few days of parturition. In the dairy industry, secretions from the milking animal’s udder for one day after the parturition are commonly referred to as COLOSTRUM. Secretions produced second and third day after parturition are called TRANSITION MILK. Colostrum differs from the normal milk in many ways. It is markedly higher in solids, fats, protein, vitamins and Ig (commonly referred as antibodies) and is lower in lactose. The amount of solids and protein (especially Ig), decline rapidly after the first day, so that by day four the milk reaches normal composition.

 It is essential that the calf receives about 1. 5 – 2 liters of Colostrum within the first half an hour of birth. On the first day fresh Colostrum can be fed 3 – 4 times. From day two, twice daily feeding should suffice. With each feeding 2 liters of Colostrum should be given.

If by any chance, the calf is not provided with the Colostrum for the first 6 hours of life, the amount of Colostrum will have to be increased to compensate for the reduced absorption of antibodies (Ig). However, the delay in Colostrum feeding increases the risk of bacterial infection.

The intestines do not discriminate among molecules. If Colostral molecules do not saturate the intestinal absorptive sites, it is possible that bacteria may reach the sites first and be absorbed in the calf system. If bacterial reach the absorptive sites before the Colostral Proteins, the calf will be at great risk of septicemia, which is often fatal. Therefore, it is imperative that Colostrum is fed as soon as possible after birth.

 

Feeding milk and milk replacer

Until he rumen can start supplying energy and microbial protein sufficient for maintenance and growth, the calf must have a high quality liquid milk or milk replacer diet. Emphasis must be placed on the quality as well as quantity of the Milk and Milk Replacer offered. Also, sanitizing Feeding and mixing equipment along with proper handling and storage of milk and milk replacer are essential to avoid bacterial contamination that may lead to calf health problems.

Three days after the birth there should be a gradual change to twice daily feeding of whole milk or MILK REPLACER. Whole milk with a fat content of approximately 4 percent can be fed @ 2 – 2.5 liters per feeding (4 – 5 liters daily). Milk Replacer with a lower fat content of 2 percent will have to be fed @ 2.5 – 3 liters in each feeding (5 – 6 liters / day). Ideally, milk feeding should be adjusted to the size and health of the calf and climatic conditions. In cold conditions, higher quantity may be required  as  the calf requires 25-30 percent additional solids and a third feeding may be required. While feeding too little milk at an early stage depresses growth, too much milk for longtime will depress calf starter intake. An ideal calf starter should be about 16-17% digestible crude protein and should be highly palatable.

The feeding should be done at regular intervals. Ideally milk should always be fed at body temperature. However, daily variations in the temperature of heated milk may cause more digestive disorders than cool milk.

Feeding high quality liquid feed will lead to better early growth, higher rates of calf survival and early dry feed intake.Without adequate nutrition, the calf and its immune system will not grow. Thus it is predisposed to disease, particularly scouring and respiratory problems. The calf must begin to grow it is to have an adequate calf starter intake to promote the necessary Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA’s) for rumen development.

Weaning should be done at a weight of 85 kg or when the chest circumference is 95 cm. A young calf must attain at least 70 percent of calving time weight (24 months) at the time of first insemination (15th month) and the average weight gain from third month to 14/15th month should be about 800 gms/day.  

Amit Sachdev

India Consultant

World Wide Sires

Email: indiawws@gmail.com

Evaluation of cattle in Punjab and some suggestions

This is the first post for this blog. Mr.Tony Evangelo, Area Director of Marketing, World Wide Sires, USA was in India in Feb 2010 and judged the cattle show at Jargaon, Punjab on Feb 13-14, 2010. He has penned his thoughts and what he saw in the Indian cattle (Punjab) and how these cattle could be improved further. 

I had the pleasure of serving as a judge for the PDFA Dairy Cattle show in Jagraon, Punjab on February 13 and 14.

The cow in featured alongside (right and below was the 1^st prize in the Milking Cow group. She won on the merit of her quality udder and dairy characteristics.  Her rear udder exhibited good capacity and width.  She also displays a strong central ligament, which indicates her udder will hold form for many lactations.  She also showed angularity over the shoulder, and a deep, open rib.

A side view of the 1^st prize cow (above) shows her to be good cow, not so large, but has enough size for a commercial dairy operation.  Here, you can see her strong fore udder attachment, correct leg set, and depth of fore rib.  She also has a correct rump, with proper slope from hips to pins.

On the right is a photo of the 1^st prize Mature Bull.  This bull impressed with great size, stature and strength.  He was selected the winner based on his tremendous frame traits.  He also shows a correct leg structure with a steep foot angle.

The picture on the left is an example of a high quality, mature Jersey cow.  She has tremendous depth of rib and openness to her rib.  For a mature cow, she shows strong udder attachments and correct teat placement.  She appears to be a high producing individual, with many productive lactations.

The cow picture below shows outstanding dairy form, with open ribs and plenty of capacity in her barrel.  She has strong udder attachments, and correct teat placement.  She does display some curve to her rear legs, and a bull that sires a straighter leg should be used to improve her rear leg structure.

There are ways to correct the cows in the next generation using set of bulls that are available. Each character has a different heritability and in come cases the correction can happen in one generation or may take 3 in some cases. 

We do hope that the information above will be of value to you.

Amit Sachdev

India Consultant

World Wide Sires

E mail: indiawws@gmail.com