69: Cow Reproduction Is Improving… So Why Aren’t Heifers?

69: Cow Reproduction Is Improving… So Why Aren’t Heifers?

From Ruminate This | Agrarian Solutions by Scott Zehr

March 23, 2026 · 13 min · Season 2 · Episode 69

About this episode

Scott Zehr discusses the stagnation of virgin heifer reproduction rates despite advancements in dairy cow reproduction.

Dairy cow reproduction has improved significantly over the past decade, but virgin heifer reproduction has remained relatively flat. Why? In this episode of Ruminate This, Scott Zehr explores whether mycotoxins in virgin heifer TMRs could be quietly influencing heifer conception rates and dairy fertility. While dairies have made major advances in reproductive protocols, genetics, and technology, heifers may represent one of the biggest remaining opportunities for improvement. Scott explores w...

People in this episode

Host: Scott Zehr

Topics covered

  • cow reproduction
  • heifer fertility
  • mycotoxins
  • dairy industry
  • reproductive protocols

Keywords

  • cow reproduction
  • heifer reproduction
  • mycotoxins
  • dairy fertility
  • TMRs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: dairies

Products: mycotoxins, TMRs

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