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Beef · Reproduction · Fertility

First-calf reconception

72% re-conceiving

The percentage of first-calf heifers that scan pregnant while still rearing their first calf at foot — a young female finishing her own growth, recovering from calving, milking and cycling again inside an 80-day window.

Worked example · Re-conception by age
Target 85% 72% 92% First-calf Mature cows
Re-conception by age
The benchmark

Top herds re-conceive 85%+ of first-calf heifers while they are still lactating; regional averages often fall to 60–70%.

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What it signals

This is the most common point of reproductive and financial loss in Australian herds. A drop flags nutritional stress and condition loss in young breeders before they fall out of the core breeding group.

Data required to calculate
First-calf heifers joinedno.First-calf heifers PTICno.

Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses, and keeps the figure current automatically.

How to improve it
01

Hit optimal body condition before calving for a rapid return to estrus.

02

Early-wean calves at 100–120 days if heifer condition drops below critical scores.

03

Segregate first-calf heifers from mature cows to eliminate feed competition.

Questions & answers

What is first-calf reconception?

The percentage of first-calf heifers that scan pregnant while still rearing their first calf at foot — a young female finishing her own growth, recovering from calving, milking and cycling again inside an 80-day window.

What data do you need to calculate first-calf reconception?

You need: First-calf heifers joined (no.), First-calf heifers PTIC (no.). Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses and keeps the figure current automatically.

What is a good first-calf reconception benchmark?

Top herds re-conceive 85%+ of first-calf heifers while they are still lactating; regional averages often fall to 60–70%.

How do you improve first-calf reconception?

Hit optimal body condition before calving for a rapid return to estrus. Early-wean calves at 100–120 days if heifer condition drops below critical scores. Segregate first-calf heifers from mature cows to eliminate feed competition.

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