
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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- [Bonus Interview] The Dairy Podcast Show - Dr. Larry Roth: Mycotoxins and Dairy Gut Health · May 19, 2026 · 30 min
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- 71: Forage Quality ROI: Stop Losing Money in the Bunk · April 27, 2026 · 45 min
- 70: Forage Quality Decisions That Drive Dairy Profitability · April 13, 2026 · 42 min
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