Strategies for Managing Reproduction and Controlling Health Problems in Groups of Cows

For group management of reproduction, cows within a herd may be physically segregated according to reproductive status, or cows within larger herd groups may be identified according to reproductive state by utilization of specific identification aids. Partitioning cows and records into unique reproductive management categories allows specific actions to be directed toward all cows which have a common reproductive state. Grouping cows for reproductive management can be compatible with feeding, herd health, and milking management. Primary benefits of grouping are more efficient utilization of management resources and more opportunity to maximize output per cow.