Mark E. Carson BSc. (Agr). MSc., Gencor Herd Reproduction Analyst

Achieving excellent reproductive performance is hard work. Here is a quick reminder about the benefits of working hard and delivering excellent reproductive performance in your herd.

1) Higher reproductive performance equals more milk. The average cow in your herd will spend a great portion of lactation near peak performance. Remember, every day open past 100 days in milk cost you approximately $4.50 US per day per cow.

2) Reduce reproductive culls of profitable cows. With more pregnancies occurring, you will have less forced culls due to reproductive failure, giving your herd more culling options. More culling options provides you the opportunity to cull less profitable cows, such as ones with low milk production.

3) Increase the number calves being born each year. With an increase in the number of pregnancies, your herd will have more heifers. These extra heifers can replace less profitable cows, be sold for more revenue or expand your herd from within.

4) More calves being born equals faster genetic improvement. Top daughters will enter your herd sooner, giving your herd a genetic edge.

5) Decrease transition cow problems. Cows that have long lactations and dry periods are at higher risk of developing health problems during their next transition period. Strong reproductive performances can reduce the number of cows that have extended lactations, providing you with less future transition problems.