Two projects - one aim

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Whilst milk production of dairy cattle has significantly improved over the past decades, the reproductive performance of dairy cattle has decreased. Cow fertility has declined, particularly in Holstein cattle, from 80% pregnancy at first insemination 20 years ago to less than 40% today.
In order to tackle major societal challenges such as resource efficiency and food security, the European Commission has granted two research projects that focus on increasing efficiency of dairy production via improved cow fertility: FECUND and PROLIFIC. 
The overall aim of both projects is to improve dairy cow fertility in Europe. Each project focuses on other solutions to achieve this, as there are many factors that influence cattle fertility. Both project teams are composed of specialists from across Europe, bringing together their knowledge and expertise to tackle this multi-factorial challenge.

www.cattle-fertility.eu integrates the results of the two projects to move improvements for fertility in cattle forward.
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FECUND investigates the metabolic and genetic causes for differences in reproductive success between heifers and cows. 

Genetic and management factors involved will be identified which will result in better understanding of the impact of energy balance and classical genetic selection on fertility. The project focuses on the early phases of reproduction, when most embryonic loss occurs. The knowledge obtained will be used to develop tools to:
  • more effectively incorporate reproduction into genetic improvement programmes, and:
  • monitor the effects of selection on reproduction.

www.fecund-project.eu

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PROLIFIC aims to develop a proactive herd management by providing the farmer with improved tools for on-farm reproductive monitoring and management.

The project will develop innovative solutions for a robust and sustainable improvement of fertility in cows by eliminating key scientific/methodological blockages. PROLIFIC aims to:
  • find new phenotypic and genetic markers for fertility and identify genes and pathways involved in the adaptation of the reproductive function to environmental conditions;
  • identify the functional mutations associated with fertility and estimate genomic breeding values;
  • study the adaptive response of animals to different feeding systems and management strategies;
  • demonstrate the applicability of the knowledge and tools produced at  farm level allowing the evaluation of the economic and environmental impacts;
  • develop models to support on-farm decisions.

www.euprolific.eu
This website represents the views of the Authors, not the European Commission (EC). The EC is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein. 3SR is a Collaborative Project funded under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7).