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.

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.

Higher beef prices have created opportunities for dairy operations to generate additional revenue through dairy-beef crosses, raising an important and recurring question: Should I be breeding more beef semen or more dairy sexed semen in my herd?

Choosing the correct bull(s) for your operation is extremely important. The cows in your operation influence one calf per year, but a bull has the potential to influence up to 25 or more calves per year.

Bull buying strategies are a critical component of success for cow-calf producers across Canada. With operations ranging from small family farms to large-scale commercial enterprises, an important question must be asked: Do purchasing tactics differ depending on the size of the farm or ranch?

Composite breeds of cattle are built on the concept of breed complementarity – combining the desirable characteristics of two or more breeds of cattle in a way that simultaneously masks or lessens each breed’s weaknesses.

Fall calving has its advantages for calf survivability, marketing and reducing calving stress. However, the challenges of fall and winter breeding require some adjustments to management to ensure success.