Abstract
Both natural service and artificial insemination programs can work for managing reproduction on dairy farms. This 3-page fact sheet provides comparison of reproductive performance and economic considerations. Written by Fábio S. Lima, Albert De Vries, Carlos A. Risco, and José E.P. Santos, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, June 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo: Thomas Wright).
References
De Vries, A., C. Steenholdt, and C.A. Risco. "Pregnancy Rates and Milk Production in Natural Service and Artificially Inseminated Dairy Herds in Florida and Georgia." J. Dairy Sci. 88 (2005):948-56. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)72762-4
Lima, F.S., R.S. Bisinotto, E.S. Ribeiro, H. Ayres, L.F. Greco, C.A. Risco, W.W. Thatcher, and J.E.P. Santos. "Reproduction of Dairy Cows Receiving 1 vs. 3 Timed AI (TAI) When Not Observed for Estrus and Subjected to Natural Service (NS)." J. Dairy Sci. 94 (2011): Abstract.
Lima, F.S., A. De Vries, C.A. Risco, J.E.P. Santos, and W.W. Thatcher. "Economic Comparison of Natural Service and Timed Artificial Insemination Breeding Programs in Dairy Cattle." J. Dairy Sci. 93 (2010):4404-13. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2789
Lima, F.S., C.A. Risco, M.J. Thatcher, M.E. Benzaquen, L.F. Archbald, J.E.P. Santos, and W.W. Thatcher. "Comparison of Reproductive Performance in Lactating Dairy Cows Bred by Natural Service or Timed Artificial Insemination." J. Dairy Sci. 92 (2009):5456-66. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2197
National Animal Health Monitoring System. Part 1: Reference of Dairy Health and Management in the United States. Fort Collins, CO: Ctr. Epidemiol. Anim. Health, 2002.
Pursley, J.R., M.O. Mee, and M.C. Wiltbank. "Synchronization of Ovulation in Dairy Cows using PGF2α and GnRH." Theriogenology 44 (1995):915-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/0093-691X(95)00279-H