The future of inductions
Inductions for this season are essentially all done and dusted but we thought it was prudent to increase awareness around what the future holds for inductions in the coming year prior to mating this season. The guidelines need to be taken into consideration when making management decisions around this year's mating period to hopefully avoid any issues come calving 2012!
So, a brief history ... since 2005 routine calving inductions for management purposes have been carried out according to a Code of Practice under the ACVM Act which expired on 31st May 2010. Following a review by key industry stakeholders, it was agreed that the goal for the future was to decrease routine inductions to 4%. Farms relying heavily on inductions to manipulate seasonal calving patterns have had to make significant changes to their management systems. Such changes take time and, to decrease the negative financial impact of sudden change, a series of annually-reducing targets was set so that within an individual herd, the level of inductions should not exceed a set percentage of the herd's total size. Those targets were/are:
- 01/06/10 to 31/05/11 = 15%
- 01/06/11 to 31/05/12 = 8%
- From 01/06/12 = 4%
As well as these targets, operational guidelines were set to guide and assist vets and farmers to protect animal welfare when inducing cows and to prevent drug residue violations.
NOTE: These targets and guidelines do NOT affect the exisiting therapeutic indications for induction i.e. non-routine cases such as hydrops cows or mismated yearlings etc, or other potential uses of corticosteroids such as an anti-inflammatory treatment or for ketosis, shock, allergies etc.
As vets we are bound by law, including our Code of Professional Conduct to adhere to these guidelines, and you as farmers also have legal obligations according to your dairy supply contracts. As an owner/manager/person in charge, you have certain responsibilities to fulfill that will allow you to continue to induce. Looking ahead to mating in 2011 and possible inductions in 2012, the key ones to be aware of now are:
- You are permitted to induce a maximum of 4% of the spring herd in 2012
- A natural calving date must be determined so pregnancy-testing must be at a stage where date of conception can be confirmed or estimated accurately (6-12 weeks of gestation)
- If purchasing in-calf cows, ensure they come with relevant documentation such as a vet certificate stating their stage of pregnancy
- ALL cows need to be ear-tagged or have other means of accurate identification
- You will need to provide evidence of the total number of cows in the herd at the 2012 planned start of calving
For a more complete copy of the induction guidelines or to discuss this issue further, please don't hesitate to contact us.
