ABSTRACT
The idea of good reproduction performance developed in dairy cattle management before total herd health programming evolved. There are three basic requirements for a successful reproduction program for a dairy herd: a dedicated dairyman, good records, and a competent veterinarian. Dairymen have learned that heat detection works best when it becomes a near obsession for everybody who works in a dairy herd. More important than the dairyman's dedication and the veterinarian's competence is the absolute necessity for good communication and cooperation to bring out the best in them both. The breeding wheel, a very useful gadget to help the dairyman keep track of breeding, has several helpful variations, but it requires daily attention. Reproductive management of dairy herds has changed tremendously since the time when a bull was turned out with the cows to take care of that chore.
