Reproduction & Efficiency

Summary:

Here you’ll find guidance to ensure good cow and heifer health, including managing BCS, supporting heifer growth, improving heat detection and mating results, and making smart genetic decisions to keep your herd productive and healthy year after year.

Improving in-calf rates cuts empties, boosts productivity, and supports sustainability — good for your bottom line and the environment.

Ensure good cow health and nutrition

Track key health numbers and keep cows well‑fed with consistent nutrition so they stay on target for optimal body condition all season.

  • Keep animal records up to date in herd management systems.
  • Review your fertility focus report every year.

  • Aim for BCS 5.0 (cows) and 5.5 (first/second calvers) before calving.
  • If BCS drops below 4, adjust milking frequency or feed.

  • Avoid sudden diet changes.
  • Plan pasture and crop management for pre-calving transition.

What you can do

  • Plan for animal health across the season.
  • Get advice from your vet or read our article on the five key BCS management strategies.
Read about strive for five

Ensure good heifer health and nutrition

Grow strong, healthy heifers by managing colostrum, consistent nutrition, regular weighing, and strong disease‑prevention plans.

  • Healthy calves = productive cows.
  • Focus on early growth efficiency.

  • Heavier heifers produce more milk.
  • Meet liveweight targets with good feed, protein, and trace elements.

  • Maintain pasture quality and avoid sudden diet changes.

  • Protect youngstock from parasites and diseases like coccidiosis and facial eczema.

What you can do

  • Put a heifer development plan in place to ensure they reach target growth rates in their first two years.
See DairyNZ's heifer management plan template

Accurate heat detection

Set clear heat‑detection protocols, use the tools that work best for your farm, and keep your team aligned throughout mating.

  • Use aids like tail paint, technology or recording.
  • Communicate clearly with your team during mating.

What you can do

  • Review your heat detection strategy and check DairyNZ’s list of options and best‑practice guidance.
See a list of heat detection aids

Proactive mating management

Identify health and cycling issues early and work with your vet to give cows the best chance of getting in‑calf.

  • Take bloods pre-mating and calving to check minerals and nutrition.

  • Record cycling cows and follow up on non-cycling cows quickly.
  • Aim for all cows back in-calf within 12 months of calving.

What you can do

  • Work with key advisors, including your vet, to get cows cycling early and maximise in‑calf rates.
  • Review opportunities to improve your mating performance.

Be selective with genetics

Use breeding worth to choose the best cows and bulls for the next generation and prioritise traits that boost herd performance.

  • Choose cows and bulls with the best traits (fertility, calving ease).

What you can do

  • Learn the key traits of highly efficient cows and how to spot them in your herd.
See breeding worth explained

What's the opportunity for your farm?

Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability.

Productivity

  • Higher 6-week in-calf rate = better breeding options and efficiency.

Profitability

  • More days in milk, fewer culls, fewer replacements = stronger bottom line.

Sustainability

  • Higher producing cows = fewer emissions per kg of milk solids.
  • Lower replacement rate reduces absolute emissions.

Need help right now with optimising reproduction? Talk to us

Customer Service Team

Our Farmer Support Team is available 24/7 for urgent help and immediate guidance.

Phone 0800 65 65 68

Local support

The My Co‑op app has contact details for your local Farm Source team for more complex issues. 

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Chat in person

Your Farm Source store is there for local face‑to‑face support with our team. They’re always happy to help.

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