The current trend in the dairy industry is to decrease age at conception, thereby decreasing age at first calving (AFC) to decrease raising costs by generating income from milk production sooner.

The reproductive efficiency of cow-calf operations is one of the most important factors affecting the potential profitability of herds. The ideal cow calves early in the calving season every year, breeds back early in the breeding season and weans off a heavy calf year after year.

Rising operating costs, global competition and societal concerns about energy and the environment have created many economic challenges for the U.S. beef industry.