Ohio native Skylar Gericke quickly learned how brutal Arizona summers can be on conception rates and getting cows pregnant. He did his best to get cows bred, and when he was done for the day, he started noticing other improvement areas on the dairy.

“Building a better herd gives you more options,” says Dean Meinholz, herdsman at Blue Star Dairy Farms in DeForest and Arlington, Wisconsin. Dean is referring to the decision made eight years ago to genomic test the Holstein herd – creating more flexibility with incoming heifers and additional revenue with beef-on-dairy calves.

Determining the appropriate voluntary waiting period (VWP) is a critical component of any reproductive program. The optimal VWP may vary depending on the lactation number, season and the farm’s breeding strategy, and it is a fine line between maximizing fertility and ensuring timely conception.

If a cow does not get bred, she does not have a calf. That fact alone makes reproduction the number one driver of profitability in a cow-calf operation. But the conversation should not stop there.

Choosing beef replacements is a foundational decision that affects herd productivity, profitability and long-term genetic progress. Whether you raise replacements on-farm or purchase them, understanding the economic, genetic and management implications is key to making informed decisions.

According to the January 2025 USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service Cattle report, the U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest point since the early 1960s.

With feeder calf prices at record highs and USDA predictions for prices to remain at or above $3 per hundredweight (cwt) into 2027, it’s an exciting time to be in the cow-calf business.