A dairy cattle's reproductive ability is one of the critical elements in dairy farming. Good reproduction and good milk production are just like two sides of a coin for making the dairy business profitable. Production of one calf per year provides maximum profit to the dairy farmers.

Any kind of reproductive problem ultimately leads to reproduction failure. One of the major loss-making reproductive problems in dairy farming is the existence of a large number of repeat breeder cattle.

A Repeat breeder cattle is the one that will come to heat regularly but will not succeed to conceive even after successful mating. Repeat breeding causes financial loss in terms of repeated inseminations, multiple treatments, cost of feeding without milk production, and milk production loss due to delayed conception.

Causes of Repeat Breeding (RB) Syndrome

The major reasons for repeat breeding are:

• Genetic Abnormality
• Uterine infection and repeat oestrous cycles
• Anatomical defects of the genital tract
• Improper ovarian function
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Artificial insemination: Any disorder at any stage of insemination involving bull preparation, artificial vagina preparation, semen collection, semen processing, storage, incorrect insemination may result in repeat breeding.

Precautions to check repeat breeding problem

A dairy farmer must take these precautions to minimize the risk of repeat breeding in cows.

• Maintain breeding records properly.
• Avoid overcrowding, especially at the time of AI.
• Mineral mixture supplementation should be an integral part of the diet.
• Provide a cool environment to the cattle during summer with heavy plantations around the farm.
• Never inseminate underweight (less than 250 kg), malnourished and anaemic cattle.
• Never use bulls with known genital infections for AI.
• Do not use the same bull again and again for breeding the same cow..
• Do not use a bull for AI with his daughter to check to inbreed. Maintain the record properly and rotate the breeding bull among the dairy farmers minimum after every 3rd year to prevent inbreeding.