Smart and Efficient Management of Reproductive Performance on Dairy Farms

Abstract

Reproductive efficiency is essential for the profitability of dairy farms. The key to profitability and sustainability lies in herd management and operational efficiency. From an economic standpoint, poor management leads to increased involuntary culling (removal of cows from the farm) and longer calving intervals, directly resulting in a reduction in the number of calves born and in the total amount of milk produced over the cow’s productive life. To determine the intelligent and efficient management of reproductive performance on dairy farms, research was conducted at the SC Agro Chirea SRL farm in the village of Rusănești, Rusănești commune, Olt County, with an average herd size of 581 Holstein-Friesian cows, a breed specialized for milk production, during the analyzed period (January 1, 2023 – June 20, 2025). To evaluate the reproductive efficiency and performance of cows used for milk production, the study analyzes the following reproductive indices as key parameters: age at first calving, average calving interval, service interval, insemination rate, and pregnancy rate.