As calving season starts heating up in spring-calving herds across the U.S., livestock producers should start planning for the breeding season and managing the postpartum interval, which would be the time frame from calving to the resumption of estrus.

Most producers recognize that anything done on the farm or ranch comes with a cost. This is true with the cow herd for critical functions such as reproduction and health. Common costs include the purchase of bulls or A.I. supplies for breeding.

New technologies are continuously becoming available to improve herd reproduction. Have you recently evaluated your dairy’s program to determine where there is room for improvement?

Herd health morning ... cows are lined up and the vet is putting on a palpation sleeve. In your hand, a clipboard with the list of bred cows to check ... and off you go down the alley. “1520, 41 days ... ”