“When it comes to genetic selection for fertility, it’s not easy. It is quite slow compared to more straightforward traits like milk production or fat or protein content. This is a complex thing,” said Christine Baes at the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar.

This column brings you information regarding some of the research being done around the world and published in the Journal of Dairy Science. It discusses how lung ultrasonography is improving our understanding and management of respiratory disease in young calves, and the effect of voluntary waiting period length on milk yield, fertility and culling in high-yielding, second-parity cows.

Open. It is a word no veterinarian enjoys saying during the herd check. While researchers continue to look for ways to improve the outcomes of live births, improving the trace mineral status of the cow may be a promising way to reduce hearing that dreaded word: open.

While automated milking systems are widely recognized for their capacity to increase milk yield and enhance cow welfare, their sophisticated data collection capabilities offer substantial advantages for optimizing reproductive management in dairy cattle.

The placenta isn’t just a passive support system; it is an active, highly regulated organ that can make or break a pregnancy. The better we understand how it works, the better we can care for our cows and make smarter breeding decisions.