Economic analyses of reproduction management strategies and technologies on U.S. dairy farms

Reproductive management of dairy cattle is crucial to whole-farm profitability as it enables milk sales, provides replacement animals, and is a factor in culling decisions. The dairy industry has responded to challenges in managing dairy cattle reproduction with innovative technologies and reproductive management programs that enable producers to synchronize ovulation, thereby lessening or eliminating the need for visual heat detection, or to make heat detection more efficient through the use of aids or automated computer-based record keeping systems. Dairy producers today face decisions regarding which reproductive management program is optimal for their farm operation. The analyses presented built upon prior reproductive management studies and sought to inform economically sound decision making regarding reproductive program and technology adoption. The varying costs and revenues associated with reproductive performance across farms illustrated the need for farm-specific analysis regarding selection of economically optimal reproductive management programs. Through the use of surveys, sensitivity analyses to reproductive program costs, and assessment of farm manager decision making under risk, the reproductive program decisions made on farms are better understood.