Breeding Statuses and Lifecycle
This article explains how breeding statuses change throughout the breeding lifecycle and what each status means.
Breeding Status Flow
An animal’s breeding status progresses through these stages:
- Open — The animal has no active breeding record. It is available for breeding.
- Exposed — A breeding record has been created. The animal is bred but not yet confirmed pregnant.
- Pregnant — A pregnancy check has confirmed the animal is pregnant.
Status Transitions
| Event | Status Before | Status After |
|---|---|---|
| Breeding record created | Open | Exposed |
| Pregnancy check positive | Exposed | Pregnant |
| Calf born (calving recorded) | Pregnant | Open (after calving) |
| No calf marked | Exposed or Pregnant | Open |
Breeding Record Lifecycle
| State | Description |
|---|---|
| Active | The breeding is current and in progress. Not archived. |
| Produced Calf | The breeding resulted in a live calf. Linked to the offspring record. |
| Archived (No Calf) | The breeding did not result in a calf. The record is kept for history. |
Due Date Calculation
The expected due date is automatically calculated as:
Due Date = Breeding Date + 283 days
This is the standard gestation period for cattle. The due date helps you plan for calving season and monitor animals approaching their due dates.
Using Breeding Status in Smart Groups
You can filter smart groups by breeding status to create dynamic views:
- All pregnant cows — Breeding Status = Pregnant.
- All exposed animals — Breeding Status = Exposed.
- Open cows — Breeding Status = Open (useful for identifying animals to breed or cull).
Tips
- Keep breeding records current. Prompt recording of breedings, pregnancy checks, and calving events ensures statuses are always accurate.
- Close out failed breedings. Mark “no calf” on breedings that don’t result in offspring to keep the animal’s status correct.
- Use the Watch Close flag. For animals approaching their due date or with a history of calving difficulty, set the Watch Close flag so they stand out.