If a dairy cow has not been rebred 150 days after calving, what is the recommended course of action?

In dairy cattle management, time to first breeding after calving is crucial for maintaining a productive herd. If a cow has not been rebred within 150 days of calving, it often indicates potential reproductive problems. At this point, culling and selling her may be considered the most appropriate course of action.

This decision stems from the economic implications of keeping a cow that isn't successfully cycling back to breed. The longer a cow waits to be rebred, the more it costs in terms of feed, care, and lost milk production. Furthermore, a cow that has prolonged intervals without successful breeding may have underlying health or fertility issues that could be detrimental to the overall efficiency of the farm.

Maintaining a profitable operation means ensuring that each animal contributes positively, so if one is not doing so after a significant period, culling can serve as a practical management strategy to enhance the herd's productivity.