Understanding Late Embryonic Mortality and Its Impact on Cow Productivity

By Lucas Melo-Goncalves and Pedro Fontes

In cow-calf operations, reproductive success is the primary driver of productivity. Each cow must produce a healthy calf every year to keep the herd economically sustainable. Most producers are familiar with the challenge of cows that fail to conceive, but fewer recognize the long-term effects of pregnancy losses that occur after a cow has already become pregnant.