The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) is accepting nominations for its 2017 Reproduction Awards program, which recognizes outstanding dairy operations for reproductive efficiency and well-implemented management procedures. This awards program recognizes U.S. dairy producers whose herds excel in getting cows safe in calf. Some key metrics include: voluntary waiting period, interbreeding intervals, heat detection, conception rate, pregnancy rate, value of reproduction and culling rate. Reproduction numbers are based on the 12-month period Jan. 1, 2016-Dec. 31, 2016.

Dairy operations must be nominated by professionals who serve the dairy industry, such as veterinarians, extension agents, artificial insemination (AI) and pharmaceutical company representatives, dairy processor field staff and consultants. Nomination forms are due April 30 and may be completed online or mailed to:

DCRC
605 Columbus Ave South

New Prague, MN 56071

Judges will review applications and select the top herds, which will be asked to provide additional information about their operation. This information will help judges select Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze winners. Award recipients will be honored at the 2017 DCRC Annual Meeting in Reno, Nev., Nov. 8-9, 2017.

For more information about the Reproduction Awards program or to nominate a herd online, visit www.dcrcouncil.org/awards/nominate-a-herd.aspx.

This year's Reproduction Award sponsors include Hoard’s Dairyman and Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council.

The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council is focused on bringing together all sectors of the dairy industry – producers, consultants, academia and allied industry professionals – for improved reproductive performance. DCRC provides an unprecedented opportunity for all groups to work together to take dairy cattle reproduction to the next level.