Management factors affecting reproductive performance of dairy cows in the northeastern United States

Dairy herds (476) in seven states in the northeastern United States were surveyed to determine effects of various management factors on reproductive performance. Error of estrus detection (greater than 1 ng/ml of milk progesterone) on the day of service was 5.1% for 4558 cows but was as high as 60% in some herds. Error was not affected by herd size but was greater in freestall (6.8%) than in conventional (5.2%) housing. "Standing" and "riding other cows" were the most accurate signs of estrus. Of cows in or near estrus when serviced, 28.1% were open 3 wk later, 12.9% were probably open, and 59% were probably pregnant based on analysis of milk progesterone. Conception rate, not affected by herd size or housing type, was greater for cows in estrus during the morning and serviced the same afternoon (52.2%) than for cows observed in the afternoon and serviced the next morning (47.1%). Fifty-five percent of cows open to first service were serviced again within 3 days of expected return to estrus. Days to first service and conception rates were correlated positively. Milk progesterone concentration 21 to 24 days after service predicted a cow will calve with 88.6% accuracy and that she will not with 93.9% accuracy. Veterinarians predicted a calf with 92.5% accuracy by rectal palpation.