Producers of the Leite Seridó project celebrate the birth of the first IATF calves

Lagoa da Serra farm

The birth of the first calves, the result of Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (AITF) of the Leite Seridó project, is a milestone for producers who are part of this initiative carried out by the Instituto BioSistêmico (IBS), with the support of financial resources from the Zoetis Foundation and the Sebrae/RN. The first births were registered in March this year, representing a significant step in the process of genetic improvement of herds in the Seridó region, in Rio Grande do Norte.

Before joining the project, most of the producers served had never used the AITF technique, non even performed an ultrasound exam on the herd, which is essential to check the animal's reproductive conditions and treat possible diseases.

This is the case of producer Rubens Álvares de Faria from the Lagoa da Serra farm, in the municipality of Serra Negra do Norte. “It was the first time we inseminated our cows and the result was very good. From March to May, six AITF calves were born, five females and one male. There is still one more cow pregnant after insemination, which should give birth in June”, celebrates the producer.

Rubens counts on the support of his wife, Kátia Silene, and his oldest daughter, Raila, to manage the property. With the birth of the calves, the company of the youngest daughter, Rhyane, just 4 years old, was guaranteed in the corral. The girl became so attached to the calves that she didn't miss a day of caring for them. She watches her parents work attentively and takes the opportunity to caress the calfs while they are being cared for.

Logradouro das Várzeas farm.

At the Logradouro das Várzeas farm, in Serra Negra do Norte, producer Pedro Gabriel de Araújo also celebrates the good result of the AITF on his property. “We started carrying out AITF in the herd with the Leite Seridó project. Since March, five calves have been born, three males and two females, and there are still four more cows that should give birth soon”, says the producer.

For Pedro Gabriel, the birth of the AITF calves begins an important stage on the Logradouro das Várzeas farm. “This is the result of joint work that began last year, with mineral salt adjustment, for example, which helped the cows get pregnant. With ultrasound exams, we can take better care of the herd's health and improve reproductive planning as a whole. The births mean that our work has been successful and, with genetic improvement, we can increase our productivity and profit from the activity”, says the producer.

Until May 22, the Bela Vista farm, served by Leite Seridó Project in Serra Negra do Norte, recorded nine births of AI offspring, seven females and two males. Producer Jarbas Faria de Araújo says he is very satisfied with the results of the project's AITF round in his herd.

Bela Vista Farm.

“Still in the month of May, we should reach ten AITF offspring, as we are expecting another birth this month. For June, we have 8 pregnant cows that are expected to give birth to more insemination calves. We are waiting for the next appointment with pregnancy diagnosis to confirm the pregnancy of the 15 cows that were registered and inseminated, in the first round of appointments this year”, reports Jarbas Faria.

According to veterinarian Luiz Sartori, technical coordinator of livestock projects at IBS, the project teams work in harmony, seeking to improve aspects of reproductive, health and nutritional management to achieve good results in productivity, Milk quality and genetic improvement. of the herds.

Sartori adds that the teams have reinforced the necessary health and nutrition care for producers after the calves are born. “Calves must remain close to their mother until the cow has finished producing colostrum. Afterwards, they can be free in an area dedicated to the animal category, where they receive breastfeeding at least twice a day”, he points out.

About the Leite Seridó Project

Designed and executed by the Instituto Biosistêmico, the Leite Seridó project is supported by resources from the Zoetis Foundation and Sebrae/RN. The initiative seeks to promote the development of dairy farming on a total of 100 properties, with a family farming profile, in the Seridó region, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast region of Brazil.

It proposes a set of activities and technological assistance resources, structured and modulated into four thematic axes aimed at improving the production process: good practices, reproductive management, nutritional management and health management.

The project uses the CheckMilk methodology, which has a platform with a management system and application for technical teams and producers. The system facilitates project management and the application helps the producer on a daily basis, as support, an extension of IBS consultancy that can be accessed at any time in the palm of your hand.