Reproductive Efficiency Focused on Cattle

Reproductive efficiency is an important contributor to dairy farm profitability. Unfortunately, the reproductive performance of dairy cattle has declined steadily over the last few decades, as evidenced by decreased estrous detection rates, decreased conception rates, and increased number of services per conception.

Professor Amin Ahmadzadeh's research program emphasizes applied research that has a direct impact on reproductive efficiency and management of dairy cows, focusing on cattle reproduction with an emphasis on fertility and management. His goal is to develop a systematic breeding program for dairy cattle to increase fertility rates and improve reproductive and economic advantages of artificial insemination on dairy farms.

Impact

Using exogenous reproductive hormones, the systematic breeding program could provide an organized and efficient approach to administering artificial insemination and improving reproductive efficiency in cattle through increasing heat detection efficiency and enhancing conception rate.
 
Research areas also include:

• Examining the role of environment, management, and diseases on cattle reproduction
• Interaction between nutrition and reproduction
• Enhancing conception rate by reducing early embryonic loss
  

Funding Source

USDA National Research Initiative & Idaho Dairymen’s Association

Principal Contributors

Amin Ahmadzadeh, Ph.D.
Professor
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Tracy Davis, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
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Joe Dalton
University of Idaho dairy extension specialist