Rebreeding

Rebreeding is the practice of mating a breeding animal again within or after a previous breeding cycle to produce additional offspring or to restore fertility within a breeding program. The term is used most often in animal husbandry and livestock breeding, but can also apply to companion animals and, in some cases, aquaculture. In dairy and beef cattle, rebreeding frequently refers to attempts to conceive after prior inseminations or calving, with the goal of maintaining productive calving and lactation cycles. In other species, rebreeding is planned to sustain production, meet breeding objectives, or increase lineage diversity.

Factors influencing rebreeding success include the animal’s reproductive status and estrous cycle, nutrition and body condition, overall health and reproductive tract status, hormonal balance, and environmental or management stress. Effective rebreeding relies on accurate record-keeping of mating attempts, conception outcomes, and interval data, enabling timely decisions about insemination timing, hormonal treatments, or culling when fertility is unlikely.

Methods vary by species but commonly include timed breeding programs, heat detection, artificial insemination or natural mating, and veterinary management to diagnose and treat reproductive issues. Welfare considerations emphasize minimizing stress, maintaining appropriate housing and handling practices, and avoiding excessive or poorly planned breeding that could compromise health or welfare.

Outcomes of rebreeding strategies can include higher lifetime productivity in livestock, improved genetic progress through better selection, and the continuation of breeding programs for desired traits. Challenges include variable fertility, costs associated with repeated breeding attempts, and potential welfare concerns for repeat breeders.