Management Strategies to Optimize Reproductive Efficiency in Dairy Heifers

Abstract

Dairy producers can use various reproductive management programs to breed heifers. Synchronization of estrus or ovulation protocols not only should optimize pregnancy rates, but they must be practical to implement or the protocol will fail due to lack of compliance. Lifetime profi t of dairy replacement heifers is maximized when heifers calve between 23 and 25 months of age. Therefore, in order to maintain genetic progress and maximize profi tability, heifer breeding programs should include artifi cial insemination and calving to occur around 24 months. This chapter discusses reproductive management strategies that can be implemented to obtain an optimal calving age in dairy heifers.