Short answer
An animal that comes into heat regularly but does not conceive after three or more inseminations is called a repeat breeder. The usual causes are wrong timing of insemination, a shortage of minerals and nutrition, and infection of the uterus. Get the timing right, feed minerals every day, keep her in good body condition, and have the vet examine her if she still does not conceive.
Common causes
- Insemination done too early or too late in the heat.
- A shortage of minerals such as phosphorus, copper and zinc, and of vitamin A.
- Low body condition after calving.
- Infection of the uterus, often after a difficult calving or a retained placenta.
- Heat stress in summer.
What you can do
- Watch for heat signs every morning and evening: restlessness, bellowing, mounting other animals and clear mucus.
- Inseminate about 12 hours after the signs start. Heat seen in the morning: inseminate in the evening. Heat seen in the evening: inseminate the next morning.
- Give a mineral mixture every day, all year, not only around heat.
- Keep her in good condition, neither thin nor fat.
- Write down heat and insemination dates, so you and the vet can see the pattern.
- If she has not conceived after two or three tries, have the vet examine her.
HNC products that help
Dohan Herbal MineralsHelps with repeat breeding and improves fertility and reproductive power.
Maxfat Pro CalciumNatural liquid calcium. Helps with repeat breeding and improves fertility.
Devarshi Herbal MineralsDaily herbal mineral mixture. Improves reproductive capacity.When to call the vet
See the vet if there is pus or a foul smelling discharge, if heat comes at irregular intervals, or if she has not conceived after three inseminations. Herbal minerals support fertility; they do not treat an infection.
Questions farmers ask
What is repeat breeding in cattle?
A cow or buffalo that has normal heat cycles but does not conceive after three or more inseminations is called a repeat breeder.
When should a cow be inseminated after heat?
About 12 hours after the first signs. Heat seen in the morning: inseminate in the evening. Heat seen in the evening: inseminate the next morning. Your AI technician or vet can advise for your animal.
Do minerals help an animal conceive?
A mineral shortage is one of the common causes of repeat breeding, so a daily mineral mixture helps where that is the cause. An infection of the uterus needs the vet.