8 BREDSUM commands to add to your repro analysis
To really understand how your reproductive program is performing, you need to look at your repro numbers in a way that makes sense for your dairy. This can look a little different from farm to farm depending on your setup and management style.
BREDSUM has long been a trusted tool in DairyComp for analyzing key reproductive metrics like services per conception and conception rate. Pair it with the flexibility of the Command Line, and you can take your analysis to the next level. Beyond standard reports, you can build commands that answer the specific questions you have about your herd or dig into more complex relationships within your data almost instantly.
Curious what’s hiding in your repro data? Here are 8 BREDSUM commands to help you dig a little deeper into your breeding program.
Use first service conception risk to measure transition success
BREDSUM\B looks at conception risk, or otherwise commonly referred to as conception rate (CR), by times bred and is a great place to start when reviewing overall reproductive performance. This report not only shows herd CR over a given time period, but also highlights first service CR, which is often one of the most important indicators of program success. Strong first service CR typically signals that cows are transitioning well after freshening, and that synchronization protocols are being followed consistently.
Visualize conception risk changes over time
BREDSUM\C breaks conception risk down by calendar month, making it especially useful for uncovering seasonal shifts. Many farms will see summer declines in conception risk related to heat stress, but this report can also help highlight the impact of other changes happening on-farm. Shifts in nutrition, management practices, facility changes or even expansions can all show up here, making it a helpful tool for linking reproductive performance with other factors influencing the herd.
Compare performance by semen type
BREDSUM\* takes a different angle by analyzing CR based on semen type. It separates results into categories such as sexed semen, conventional, beef, male sexed beef and embryo transfer or unknown. With the growth of beef-on-dairy breeding strategies and limited heifer inventories, this report is especially valuable for understanding how different semen types are performing under your management.
Evaluate breeding strategies
BREDSUM\XB* uses a cross-table analysis to compare two variables at once. Instead of looking at a single factor in isolation, it allows you to compare scenarios like first service beef versus first service sexed semen, or evaluate how conception changes from first to second service across different semen types. This helps give a clear picture of what is truly driving reproductive performance and allows you to test and refine your strategy for the best return.
Understand differences between lactation groups
BREDSUM\XB BY LCTGP adds another layer by incorporating lactation group into the analysis. This allows you to compare reproductive performance across first lactation cows and older cows, which can become more important if different groups are managed differently. Whether it’s varying synchronization protocols or different voluntary waiting periods, this report helps you quickly see if your program is performing consistently across all segments of the herd.
Track semen usage by month
BREDSUM\XCSU shifts the focus from performance to usage. By combining service sire and calendar month, this report shows how many units of each bull were used over time. It provides a usage breakdown that can be used to track breeding decisions, identify shifts in sire selection and some producers even use this report to double-check semen invoices. It’s a practical tool to cross-reference breeding records with what is actually happening in the tank and on paper.
Measure repro efficiency by date
BREDSUM\E introduces pregnancy risk (PR), which is based on 21-day breeding cycles, along with insemination risk (IR), also known as service rate. This analysis relies on a defined voluntary waiting period, typically 50 days in milk for cows and 365 days of age for heifers. Because of this structure, it provides one of the best views into how quickly cows are getting pregnant and how efficiently the breeding program is moving through cycles.
Measure repro efficiency by DIM
BREDSUM\ER is a variation of the PR report that displays results by days in milk instead of calendar date ranges. This format is especially useful for visual analysis in the graphing tab, where it also includes the days open survival curve. It allows farms to evaluate metrics like percent pregnant by 150 days in milk and provides a great overview of how cows progress not only after first service, but through subsequent breedings as well.
Bonus: Reproduction Insights in PULSE Platform
If you want another quick way to keep an eye on key reproduction metrics, Reproduction Insights pulls together numbers like conception rate, pregnancy rate, DIM at first breeding, missed breeding, actual voluntary waiting period, services per conception and more in an easy to read dashboard in PULSE Platform.
Because PULSE Platform is cloud-based and included in every DairyComp subscription at no additional cost, you can share access with your veterinarian, nutritionist or other trusted team members so everyone is working from the same data in real time. Log in or create a free account to get started.
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