5 Ways to Improve Breeding Efficiencies in 2025

“The health and success of your cow-calf herd is dependent on the care your cows and heifers receive from the start,” says Dr. Dan Tracy, beef technical services veterinarian with Zoetis.

“The right nutritional plane leading up to the breeding season lays the foundation for cows and replacement heifers to be in the best condition for reproductive success,” he says. “We must also incorporate sound herd health practices that boost immunity and mitigate risks along the way.”

Dr. Sam Ingram, Range & Pasture field scientist with Corteva Agriscience, agrees. “Properly conditioned cows breed back quicker, and tighter calving windows produce more uniform groups of calves that command a premium at market,” he says.

The good news is that a comprehensive herd health program and your pasture management efforts can work in tandem to boost herd performance and drive profitability this year.

“It comes down to finding the right mix of practices and products that fit the management style of your herd,” Tracy says.

Here are their top tips for improving breeding efficiencies on your cow-calf operation:

  1. Evaluate your prebreeding vaccination program. A well-planned heifer and cow vaccination program builds immunity to help protect the cow and her unborn calf. Prebreeding vaccinationsOpens in a new window can help protect the cow herd from costly reproductive diseases that challenge breeding efficiencies. Work with your herd veterinarian to find products that balance efficacy and safety to match the risk of disease exposure for your herd.
  2. Consider a reproduction synchronization program. Utilizing a reproduction synchronization program helps support higher fertility cycles by enabling easier, more accurate heat detection so heifers and cows can come into heat and be bred in a narrower window of time.

    A timed artificial insemination program can help tighten the calving window, and the labor requirements that go with it. Even when a producer isn’t using A.I., synchronization programs still provide a shorter calving period and more cows bred earlier via natural service.

    “A synchronization program helps define the breeding season and frontload calving as much as possible,” Tracy says. “This practice not only provides labor efficiencies during calving, but it also allows calves more time on the cow and more pounds of beef produced at the end of the season.”
  1. Monitor pastures early, even before they start to green up. “This practice allows you to address potential pasture problems while weeds are still small,” Ingram says. A high-quality forage base will keep breeding stock in good body condition, which can help improve conception rates, increase milk production and boost daily gains.

    “Watch for early emerging annual weeds and biennial thistles,” Ingram explains. “Treating early allows grasses more time and space to grow, which will help suppress any additional weeds.”

    He recommends a proven pasture herbicide with residual controlOpens in a new window to manage new weed flushes that pop up well into the grazing season.
  1. Maximize forage production with sound summer pasture management practices. Consider cross-fencing to facilitate cattle movement based on the level of forage production and allow a rest period for the previously grazed pasture. This can increase utilization and per-acre production.
  2. Implement an effective parasite control program. If you have cattle grazing, then you also have a risk of exposure to internal parasites. Control of internal and external parasites is an essential building block for healthy cattle. The goal of a parasite management program is to reduce the parasite burden in the animal and on the pasture. Proper pasture management and not grazing too close to the ground can help here, too.

    There are many variables and practices that can contribute to improved reproductive efficiency and more pounds of beef produced per acre. But Ingram and Tracy recognize each herd is unique, with different management practices already in place.

    “There is more than one way to manage a successful cattle operation,” Tracy says. “Be sure to take full advantage of local expertise to identify and customize management protocols for your herd.” He encourages producers to regularly consult with their local veterinarian, Zoetis representative, nutritionist and pasture management specialist for the best results.

    Learn more about herd health programs at BuildingHealthyHerds.comOpens in a new window.

About Zoetis

As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock farmers and ranchers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $8.5 billion in 2023 with approximately 14,100 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.comOpens in a new window.