Producers Report Improvements in Reproductive Management with Support from the Rio Mais Leite Project

The reproductive management services carried out by the Instituto BioSistêmico (IBS) within the Rio Mais Leite Project throughout 2025 have been directly reflected in the daily routines of the supported farms, particularly in the organization of herd reproduction.

In the municipality of Barra do Piraí, producer Alexandre Vieira reports that he faced recurring conception difficulties before the arrival of the project. “My cows showed estrus, but they wouldn’t conceive. With guidance from the technical team, we implemented vaccination and a Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) protocol. Today, several cows are already pregnant, some on the very first attempt,” he says.

For him, reproductive control is essential to the sustainability of dairy farming. “If a milk producer doesn’t have pregnant cows, the system doesn’t work. One cow dries off, another calves. The calving interval decreases, and that makes a big difference in the farm’s daily operations,” he explains.

Also in Barra do Piraí, producer Wanderson Oliveira highlights the importance of technical monitoring to organize herd reproduction. “The project brought many benefits, such as ultrasound examinations and FTAI. Now we can better understand what is happening with the cows, and when one is delayed, we can adjust the cycle and anticipate pregnancy. We have evolved a lot in this area,” he reports.

More Information for Reproductive Planning

In the second half of 2025, reproductive management services were carried out in July, September, and November, continuing the actions initiated by the project and allowing for more consistent monitoring of the assisted farms.

According to Matheus Henrique Magalhães, Technical Coordinator for Livestock Projects at IBS, this cycle helped producers gain a clearer understanding of their herd’s reproductive status. “Knowing which cows are pregnant, which are open, and at what stage each animal is, is essential for production planning,” he explains.

In addition to reproductive evaluations, the services maintained an advisory approach, addressing factors that directly influence reproductive performance, such as corral handling, hygiene, nutrition, proper use of mineral and protein supplements, and basic animal health care. “These are adjustments that help producers better understand the factors that affect reproduction and organize their production systems,” Magalhães emphasizes.

According to the coordinator, continuous technical assistance helps prevent prolonged reproductive failures and reduces the time cows remain without calving — a common situation in systems without regular technical support.

Reproductive management actions are part of the broader set of strategies of the Rio Mais Leite Project aimed at qualifying regional dairy farming. By combining diagnostics, technology, and practical guidance, the project seeks to strengthen the technical foundation of participating farms and support the long-term sustainability of dairy production.

About the Rio Mais Leite Project

Designed and implemented by the Instituto BioSistêmico, the Rio Mais Leite Project is funded by the Zoetis Foundation and focuses on the development of dairy farming in 100 family-based dairy farms located in the southern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

The initiative includes technological assistance actions organized into four main areas: good practices, reproductive management, nutritional management, sanitary management, and good practices in artisanal cheese processing.

The project uses the CheckMilk methodology, which includes a digital platform with a management system and a mobile application to support the work of technical teams and producers, providing continuous support for farm routines.