Reproduction - Articles

Why early lameness detection matters for reproductive performance

Lameness impacts reproduction earlier and more significantly than you might think, making early detection and timely intervention vital to herd performance.

June 1, 2026

Arnold Harbers

Mildly lame cows, or those just starting to decline, often go unnoticed. This hidden group is where the real losses begin to accumulate, especially when it comes to reproduction.

Reproductive performance evaluations enter a new era

In the August 2026 genetic evaluations, the four female reproductive performance traits (DPR, CCR, HCR and EFC) will be revised and a new reproductive trait, First Service to Conception, will debut.

May 22, 2026

Taylor McWhorter

Ateam from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) and the USDA’s Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (AGIL) began a review process to find a way to modernize the traits to make sure genetic ability was being accurately measured.

Why embryo production is a worthy investment for your operation

Reproductive strategy in dairies is no longer just about pregnancy rates. Embryo technologies are helping dairy producers accelerate and compound genetic progress across their herds.

May 18, 2026

Raegan Jacobs Bell

If your herd looks the same year after year, your genetics – and your profitability – are standing still. In today’s dairy landscape, standing still isn’t neutral. It’s falling behind. Reproductive strategy in dairies is no longer just about pregnancy rates; it’s about compounding progress across generations.

From the experts: A genetic planning guide for dairy producers

To create a successful genetic plan for your herd, establish a baseline, create a strategy and stick to it.

May 14, 2026

Matti McBride

Progressive Dairy interviewed genetic experts from across the industry with one goal in mind: to arm you with the knowledge and questions needed to make an effective genetic plan.

Real Producer Exchange Episode 4: Skylar Gericke

How an Arizona dairy maintains 40% conception rate in the summertime

May 7, 2026

Walt Cooley

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.

Creating pregnancies in the heat: Dickman and Sons Dairy

Prioritizing cow comfort aids this Arizona dairy in creating pregnancies during the summer months.

May 7, 2026

Matti McBride

How does a dairy that regularly sees temperatures over 110°F create pregnancies? Keeping cows cool. For Dickman and Sons Dairy, it really is that simple.

Gestation calculations: A better management lever than ‘days carried calf’

Gestation length is variable. Understanding what it is and how to manage it will benefit your herd.

April 15, 2026

Peter Jackson

”Days carried calf” (DCC) is a familiar number – easy to filter and easy to build protocols around – but it can also be misleading. The issue is that DCC typically assumes a single fixed gestation length (often 280 days), while real-world gestation length shifts meaningfully with breed, parity, season/month, twinning, calf sex and sire genetics.

Planning your herd’s genetic future: 4 points to consider

When planning for your herd's genetic future, there are multiple points to consider to maximize genetic progress and capitalize on the valuable beef-on-dairy calf market.

April 13, 2026

Gwen Powers

Although the industry has achieved rapid genetic advancement, with today’s competitive market, return on investment (ROI) is imperative. Here are several steps to consider when planning your herd’s genetic future for the best possible return on investment.