Breeding Protocols

Across the country: Using sort gates to improve reproduction

matti@agproud.com — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Technology continues to push the envelope when it comes to reproductive efficiency. Automated monitoring systems and sort gates have proven to be productive investments for dairy farms across the country.

Measure It to Manage It: Cow monitoring system transforms herd health and reproduction efficiency

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Managing herd health and reproduction on a dairy farm is a constant challenge that requires keen observation, experience and timely interventions. For Calori-D Dairy, implementing the CowManager monitoring system in December 2022 marked a turning point in how they managed their cows – both for health and reproduction.

Beyond heat detection: Combining technology and synchronization for reproductive success

glaucio.lopes@merck.com — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Researchers are exploring advanced methods that combine activity monitoring technology with fertility programs to take reproductive outcomes to an even higher level. One approach is called targeted reproductive management (TRM), and here's what it could mean for your herd.

Don't let poor fertility and pregnancy losses impact the proportion of multiparous cows in your herd

pursleyr@msu.edu — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

From reducing unnecessary culling to enhancing milk production, there are numerous opportunities to improve the efficiency and profitability of dairy farming. Here are five tips to improve reproduction on the dairy.

The devil is in the details: Proper semen handling

rellerbrock@selectsires.com — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Proper semen handling may sound commonsensical to many; however, these are the factors that are often the easiest to overlook.

Progressive Events: ‘Build the best cow for the race’

matti@agproud.com — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

The 2023 Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) annual meeting had an agenda packed with presentations discussing reproductive health, new approaches to management, beef-on-dairy markets, fertility, and calfhood health effects on reproductive performance that kept the more than 200 attendees busy over the three-day event.

[Podcast] Revolutionize Your Breeding Program with Beef Embryos

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

The integration of beef into the dairy industry has reshaped the market as we know it today and has furthered the potential to foster the development of a sustainable beef industry. Simplot Animal Sciences has elected Luis Davalos, who is a farm manager for Corrales Dairy in Roswell, New Mexico, to speak on this topic as he has extensive knowledge in what it takes to run a successful breeding program.

Efficiency a priority in Victory Farm's reproduction program

matti@agproud.com — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

“I used to raise a lot of heifers just because it was cheap to raise them and if one didn’t work out, there were others to replace her,” Souza says. “That doesn’t work anymore. You have to be very intentional with the heifers you choose to raise.”

[Podcast] Integrating HerdFlex beef embryos into your beef-on-dairy program

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Beef on dairy has been in the news over the past few years as dairy farmers search for ways to add value to their businesses. In today’s episode Brady Hicks with Simplot Animal Sciences, along with Nampa, Idaho, dairy farmer Joe Stewart to talk about using full beef embryos to take advantage of this trend and create new revenue opportunities for dairy farmers.

What does an open heifer cost you?

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:00:01 -0400

“The three largest expenses of a dairy business are feed costs for the lactating herd, labor and raising replacement heifers,” Dr. Joseph Dalton of the University of Idaho stated as he opened his presentation at the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference recently in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

5 ways monitoring systems can modify your repro protocol

matti@agproud.com — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 14:00:01 -0500

Twenty-five years ago, reproduction protocols changed for the better with the introduction of Ovsynch to the dairy industry.

Reevaluating reproductive programs for improved herd fertility

todd.bilby@merck.com — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 18:53:54 -0500

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?

DCRC reveals updated synch protocols

jodee@dcrcouncil.org — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 14:00:01 -0500

During 2018, Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) members, who are also researchers, reviewed and updated DCRC’s recommended list of estrous synchronization protocols.

Ovsynch: Know the options for timing, treatments and protocols

jodee@dcrcouncil.org — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 16:19:33 -0400

Since the introduction of Ovsynch more than two decades ago, dairy cattle estrous synchronization programs have been revamped, tweaked and refined in the quest to boost dairy cattle fertility and optimize reproductive management programs.

Safe storage, handling and administration of synchronization products

jennifer.spencer@ag.tamu.edu — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 16:07:25 -0400

During synchronization protocols, there are a variety of products which are used to manipulate the estrous cycle. Synchronization protocols are not “band-aids” and should not be used to overcome mismanagement. To achieve desired results, cows should be healthy, ready to breed and in appropriate body condition.

Synchronizing estrus in heifers

gheersch@uky.edu — Mon, 28 May 2018 22:13:18 -0400

I belong to an internet service called ResearchGate. ResearchGate keeps track of the research articles one has published and who is reading them. As an old school extension person, my list of peer-reviewed scientific publications is not massive, but I have been involved in several interesting research projects.