How it is calculated
Each eligible cow has one opportunity to be served per 21-day cycle. That is why a month equals 1.4 cycles and a year 17.4. This keeps the result comparable whatever period you evaluate.
Splitting the rate into its two parts shows where the problem lies: in spotting heats or in achieving pregnancy.
How to read the result
Many opportunities are being missed.
There is clear room for improvement.
Top herds exceed 25%.
This calculator uses the average number of eligible cows in the period, which is an approximation. The exact calculation is done cow by cow and cycle by cycle.
Frequently asked questions
What is an eligible cow?
A cow that has completed her voluntary waiting period after calving and is not pregnant. She is the one eligible to be bred.
Which period should I evaluate?
A month is useful for tracking how the herd is doing; a year, for comparing with previous seasons; weeks, for measuring a specific management change.
What should I improve first?
Look at which of the two rates is lower. If it is the service rate, the problem lies in heat detection; if it is the conception rate, in the service, the semen or the condition of the cow.
Keep reading
This calculator is for information only and uses general references. Each farm's targets should be set with its veterinarian or technician.