Designing effective reproductive management programs for lactating dairy cows

Matching strategies to farm needs and resources

Abstract

A proactive, systematic, and consistent reproductive management program conducted by committed personnel that prioritizes attention to detail usually leads to successful reproductive performance of the dairy herd, regardless of the approach and the level of technology utilized. Programs aimed at maximizing the insemination of cows after a detected estrus can be successful; however, they should be coupled with a synchronization of ovulation protocol for timed artificial insemination (TAI) to assure timely insemination of all cows. Synchronization of ovulation protocols to increase the fertility of first as well as second and subsequent TAI services are available, and can be successfully implemented by dairy farms. Dairy farms seeking to optimize reproductive performance of their herds need to carefully evaluate the resources, personnel, and time available to implement a reproductive management program.