Reproductive efficiency is one of the most critical drivers of profitability in dairy farming. Every day a cow remains open (not pregnant) costs money—through lost milk production, delayed calving, and increased culling risk. Farmers have long relied on heat detection and veterinary checks to manage reproduction, but these methods can be inconsistent and labour-intensive. Fertility programs offer a way to synchronize ovulation and improve conception rates, yet their adoption varies widely due to management habits.
A recent study published in the Journal of Dairy Science by Wicaksono et al. (2024) sheds light on this debate. Using a sophisticated bioeconomic simulation model, the researchers compared traditional reproductive management—where hormones are used only after a veterinary diagnosis—with systematic programs that proactively apply hormones at specific stages of lactation. The results? Systematic hormone use can significantly boost farm profitability.
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In many European countries, including the Netherlands, which was used as model, following the Guideline: Fertility treatments as part of veterinary support for dairy farms, published in 2021 by the Royal Dutch Society for Veterinary Medicine, as default reproductive management strategy where: cows are inseminated based on observed estrus, and hormones are administered only when a veterinarian diagnoses ovarian dysfunction during a fertility check.
In alternative, 3 systematic programs which take a different route were compared. Instead of waiting for problems, they apply fertility programs to all cows at predetermined days in milk (DIM), ensuring timely insemination and resynchronization for non-pregnant cows. The study evaluated three systematic strategies:
The researchers used a dynamic, stochastic simulation model mimicking a 200-cow herd under Dutch conditions. The model ran daily time steps over multiple years, incorporating milk production, feed requirements, fertility dynamics, and economic flows. It accounted for ovarian disorders such as anestrus, cystic ovarian disease (COD), and subestrus—conditions that often derail reproductive performance.
Economic outputs were expressed as Net Economic Return (NER), calculated from revenues (milk and calves) minus costs (feed, hormones, labor, veterinary services, calving, and culling).
Systematic programs significantly increased Net Economic Return, reduced calving intervals, and improved milk and calf output. FTAI+ED delivered the highest annual gain, followed by FTAI and ED+TAI—all outperforming traditional management. Compared with the default program:
Why? Systematic programs shortened calving intervals (by up to 45 days), reduced infertility-related culling, and increased milk and calf output. For example:
Although systematic programs incurred higher costs—mainly for hormones and labor—the additional revenues from milk and calves outweighed these expenses. For instance, FTAI+ED added €8,953 in costs but generated €32,654 in extra revenue.
Systematic programs ensure timely insemination, improve conception rates through synchronized ovulation, and quickly resynchronize open cows. These factors reduce days open and infertility-related culling, boosting productivity:
These factors collectively reduce the risk of infertility culling and maximize productive days in milk.
Before jumping into systematic programs use, farmers should weigh:
For farms struggling with heat detection or aiming to tighten calving intervals, systematic programs—especially FTAI+ED—offer a compelling economic case. However, farms with high detection rates may find less dramatic benefits.
The message from Wicaksono et al.’s study is clear: the systematic use of fertility programs for reproductive management can transform dairy farm economics. By reducing days open, increasing milk yield, and lowering culling rates, these programs deliver substantial financial gains—even after accounting for higher costs.
For farms with poor estrus detection, the benefits are particularly pronounced. Yet, decisions should remain farm-specific, considering technical, economic, and societal factors. As technology evolves and sustainability pressures grow, the future may lie in hybrid approaches—combining systematic protocols with advanced heat detection tools and precision management.
Bottom line: If your herd struggles with reproduction, systematic hormone use isn’t just a veterinary tool—it’s a business strategy.
Improving reproductive efficiency is one of the strongest levers to enhance dairy farm profitability and animal welfare. Systematic use of fertility programs—especially those combining fixed-time AI with estrus detection—shorten calving intervals, increase milk and calf output, and reduce infertility-related culling. By moving from reactive to proactive reproductive management, farmers can achieve more predictable breeding outcomes and stronger economic performance.
Wicaksono A, Edwardes F, Steeneveld W, van den Borne BHP, Pinho P, Randi F, Hogeveen H.
The economic effect of cow-based reproductive management programs with a systematic use of reproductive hormones. J Dairy Sci. 2024 Dec;107(12):11016-11035. doi: 10.3168/jds.2023-24109. Epub 2024 Aug 16. PMID: 39154727.