The Economics of reproductive management programs in large and medium sized dairy herds

Abstract

This paper considers some reproductive management programs that have been used by veterinarians to improve reproductive performance in medium to large sized dairy herds. Economic techniques used in the evaluation of various reproductive management programs include simple budgeting techniques and range up to complex computer simulation modelling. The economic advantage of several reproductive management programs is investigated from the reported literature. Programs evaluated in this way include oestrus detection programs, oestrus control programs, conception enhancement programs, pregnancy diagnosis, calving induction and comprehensive whole herd reproductive management programs. In general these programs have proven to be profitable under the circumstances where they have been applied even when evaluated against controls in experimental trials. Calving induction programs appear to be the most economically equivocal of the programs reviewed.