Breeding Process Overview

CattleMax makes it easy to manage your breeding records from exposure through calving.

This guide walks through each step of the breeding process so you can get started quickly and keep accurate records throughout the production cycle.

Breeding Overview

In CattleMax, breeding follows a simple flow:

1. Create a breeding record (natural service, AI, or embryo transfer)
2. Track status changes (Exposed → Pregnant → Open)
3. Record outcomes (preg check, calving, etc.)

CattleMax automatically updates breeding status and due dates based on the records you enter.

Step 1: Record a Breeding

Option A: Turn in Bulls (Most Common)

The easiest way to record natural service breedings is using the pasture workflow:

• Move cows into a pasture
• Go to the pasture timeline
• Select Turn in Bulls

This automatically creates breeding records for all cows already in that pasture.

Important:

• Cows must be in the pasture before the bull is turned in
• Cows added later will not automatically receive a breeding record

💡CattleMax Team Tip: Don’t forget to remove the Bulls from your CattleMax pastures once breeding season is over, just as you do in real life! This creates a breeding end date record for any Cows exposed during turn-in. 

Option B: Individual or Group Breeding

You can also:

• Add a breeding from an individual cow record
• Use group updates to breed multiple cows at once

Option C: AI or Embryo Transfer

For artificial insemination:

• Select AI when adding a breeding (either from breeding icon on dashboard, or individually on animal profile) 
• Enter sire (If not in herd, add as a reference animal)

For embryo transfer:

• Available on registered plans
• Must be recorded individually from the animal profile > Embryo tab 

Step 2: Understand Breeding Status

CattleMax automatically updates each cow’s status:

• Open → no active breeding
• Exposed → breeding record added
• Pregnant → positive pregnancy check

Status returns to Open when:

• The Dam calves
• A breeding is closed or archived
• An open preg check is recorded

💡CattleMax Team Tip: Pregnancy checks only update status if there is an active breeding record.

Step 3: Pregnancy Checking

After breedings are recorded:

• Enter pregnancy check results
• Update cows as Pregnant, Open, or Recheck

CattleMax uses this data to:

• Update breeding status
• Refine expected calving dates for Natural Service breedings

Common Scenarios

Using Multiple Bulls

• Each bull creates a separate breeding record
• To simplify, you can create a composite bull to track as one exposure

Bull Turned in After Preg Check

• A new breeding record will still be created
• This ensures all exposures are tracked

Missing Breeding Status Updates

Usually caused by:

• No active breeding record
• Pregnancy check entered before breeding (contact us for help)

Need Help?

Every operation manages breeding records a little differently, and our team is here to help you find the workflow that works best for your herd.

We recommend scheduling a Success Session with our rancher-based support team. During a one-on-one Zoom meeting, we'll answer your questions, review your breeding process, and help you make the most of CattleMax's breeding features.

Need a quick answer? Reach out by email, chat, or phone.