A-OK Farms LLC

Excellence in Genetic and Reproduction Platinum Award Winner

Heifer Category: A-OK Farms LLC, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin

At A-Ok Farms LLC, success starts the day the calf is born. Owner Mark Breunig believes getting calves off on the right foot is what sets them up for success down the road.

Concentrated on Calf Care

Each heifer born on the 500-cow dairy receives two feedings of the highest quality colostrum the farm produces. Colostrum is tested using a refractometer with a target Brix value of 25.

Every heifer is also screened for pneumonia by a veterinarian using ultrasound technology to detect lesions on the calf’s lungs. This allows the team to stay ahead of issues and treat calves sooner rather than later.

Then, calf health information along with the heifers’ ICC$™ parent averages are used to make early culling decisions through the GENEX Sort-Gate program. Results are measured as a combination of animal health and performance. The ICC$™ parent averages are also graphed in DairyComp to show genetic progress over time.

Using all of this information helps us to raise heifers that are set up to reach their genetic potential

“Using all of this information helps us to raise heifers that are set up to reach their genetic potential,” explains Mark.

Performance and Trust

At four months of age, the heifers are taken to Highview Farm & Ag Services, a custom heifer raiser located 40 minutes from the dairy. Here, the heifers continue to receive high-quality feed and care until four weeks from calving, when they are ready to return home.

The heifers average an age at first breeding of about 13 months. They receive two services of GenChoice™ sexed semen and up to two services of conventional semen, if needed.

The Highview Farm team does a tremendous job getting heifers bred. With an average 70% conception rate to sexed semen, they have 87% of the heifers pregnant after the first two services.

Mark trusts the GENEX team to pick bulls that fit his operation. The main focus for sire selection is ICC$™. Other traits considered are Daughter Pregnancy Rate, Fat and Protein Percent, and Calf Wellness. PregCheck+™ sire fertility rankings for GenChoice™ sexed semen are considered as well.

“It’s really about focusing on breeding healthier, more fertile, and more efficient animals,” shares Mark.

Members of the team contributing to A-Ok Farms’ successful heifer program include (left to right) Bryan Hembel of Highview Farm & Ag Services and Jose Pedroza, Maricela Pedroza, Thomas Brunner and Mark Breunig, all of A-Ok Farms.

Success is a Team Effort

“It is certainly a team effort that has led to the success of the reproduction program. Everybody does their part, and they do it well,” says Mark.

When you combine high-quality genetics with a focus on ICC$™ , good things are bound to happen!