REPRODUCTION WITHOUT A BULL: How Hedl Ranch manages the herd with MooHero technology

At the Hedl Ranch, a family farm near Maribor, they have proven that it is possible to successfully manage the rearing of suckler cows (beef cattle) even without a breeding bull. With the help of the MooHero system, they have complete control over the reproduction, genetics, and health of their herd.

The farm is focused on the organic rearing of Angus cattle and meat processing, and their breeding herd consists of 15 suckler cows and heifers. Due to the diverse and scattered pastures, the rearing conditions change frequently, which requires a great deal of flexibility and precise monitoring of the animals from the breeder. To nevertheless achieve rapid genetic progress, they decided on a unique approach: breeding without a bull, supported by smart technology.

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Why they decided on breeding without a bull

The introduction of smart collars is more common in dairy herds, as the investment quickly pays for itself through daily milk yield. The economics of suckler cows, however, are much more specific, as a suckler cow rears only one calf per year, which represents her sole income. Therefore, an investment in technology in this type of rearing must have a very clear purpose.

The decision was made based on a precise calculation. They determined that one bull occupies the feed and space capacity of approximately 1.5 cows. Rearing a bull thus costs not only feed, but primarily the lost income that an additional cow would generate.

For their smaller, yet premium herd, the calculation was clear: the combination of smart collars and artificial insemination is financially more favorable, while also providing safety—they avoid risks such as animal diseases, bull infertility, injuries, and dangers when working with the animals.

The reason for the decision was simple: reliable control of reproduction without a bull.
- Vid Gerhard Hedl

At the Hedl Ranch, they are aware that premium rearing conditions and high-quality feed are not enough without an adequate genetic foundation. Therefore, fertility is not a "bonus" for them, but a basic condition for the survival and development of the herd. 

A good breeding cow is distinguished by productivity, functionality, fertility, and clearly expressed heats.

 Silent heats and reproduction problems are insidious, as they are difficult to notice on the pasture.

With MooHero collars, we don't just search for heats; we manage reproduction.
- Vid Gerhard Hedl

Because the system detects heats even at night or in the absence of the breeder, it enables timely insemination and thereby planned genetic progress. For each of the three basic lines (Greta, Ava, and Milka), they thus select the best sire according to the breeding goal, instead of being limited to the genetics of a single bull for the entire season.

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From Reproduction to Insights into Nutrition and Health

Although the system was introduced for reproduction, it has also proven indispensable for monitoring nutrition and feed quality. Due to the scattered agricultural land across different locations, the composition and quality of the forage and pasture vary considerably throughout the season.

In many herds, fluctuations in quality are addressed by adding grains and concentrates. At the Hedl Ranch, however, they believe that supplements cannot fix a poor foundation. The bulk of the ration must consist of high-quality forage, which is a prerequisite for stable digestion.

We do not want the cows to eat every last bit at any cost. We want them to remain ruminants—to select and ruminate their feed, which ensures stable digestion.
- Vid Gerhard Hedl

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This is precisely why rumination is their most important indicator of the suitability and quality of feed and cow nutrition, and consequently, their health. MooHero monitors eating and rumination, alerting to drops in rumination, which is often the first sign that something is amiss with the feed or the animal's health.

https://www.moohero.com/sl/blog/rumination-as-an-indicator

A practical example - a drop in rumination despite a full feeder

The application reported a drop in rumination for the cow Ava, but a look at the data quickly showed a drop across the entire herd. This was a clear signal: the problem was not with an individual animal or the whole herd, but with the feed.

Although the feeder was full and the hay looked adequate, the data showed otherwise. Therefore, they removed the old bale and used it for bedding, offering the animals a new and fresh one. Shortly thereafter, rumination stabilized.

Without this insight, lower feed consumption would have brought serious consequences, which in suckler cows appear with a delay—through a drop in the cows body condition and productivity, deteriorating health, and, in the long term, poorer reproduction and a shorter lifespan.

The difference is that we have control: we can quickly see when deviations start appearing in the basic feed, and we take action before there is a noticeable drop in calf weight gain and poorer cow condition.
- Vid Gerhard Hedl

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The Hedl Ranch experience confirms that efficiency in suckler cow breeding does not stem from shortcuts, but from good fundamentals, consistent prevention, and precise control. MooHero smart collars have enabled them to transition from guesswork to reliable herd management—from timely inseminations to swift responses to changes in feed.

The result is not only financial savings, but above all, peace of mind and reliable support in making timely decisions regarding the selection, health, and nutrition of the herd.

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Vid Gerhard Hedl

We wanted more control over our herd's reproduction without a bull, as well as a smart solution to simplify our work. With MooHero, we successfully manage breeding without a breeding bull, while maintaining a complete overview of our cows' genetics, reproduction, and health.

Reproduction without a bull: How Hedl Ranch manages their herd with MooHero

Why Reproduction Cannot Be Successful Without Accurate Heat Detection and Recording

Accurate and efficient heat detection in breeding cows is one of the most important factors for successful reproduction management on cattle farms. However, in practice, a large number of heats are still missed—mostly due to lack of time, inadequate observation methods, or the absence of modern technology. Missed or undetected heats lead to higher rearing costs, longer unproductive periods, and lost economic opportunities. The solution lies in precision and efficiency in heat detection. The MooHero system helps by continuously monitoring animal activity, effectively detecting anomalies, and promptly notifying the farmer of what's happening.

The success of heat detection depends on the farmer and their methods of monitoring breeding cows. Two key factors are especially important: the 

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 is the most basic method, where it is recommended to monitor animal behavior multiple times a day and look for typical signs of estrus, such as increased activity, restlessness, mounting or standing to be mounted, reduced rumination, decreased milk yield, and mucus discharge. Regular patrols, observation, and familiarity with the herd often take up a lot of time, and the accuracy of this work tends to decline as the herd size increases.As farmers have less and less time for such tasks—especially during seasonal fieldwork—and because many heats occur at night, are less intense, or last only a few hours, the use of modern technologies such as sensors, smart collars, cameras, and milk or mucus analyzers is recommended—or even essential.

 and reproductive events enables successful reproductive management, tracking of fertility parameters, and the prediction of possible returns to heat or the optimal time for insemination.For heifers, it is highly recommended to record each heat from puberty until reproductive maturity or the first insemination. From the onset of puberty, the average interval between two heats can be used to predict the timing of first insemination. Likewise, recording heats in cows after calving is very beneficial, as the timing of future insemination can be estimated based on event dates and the length of reproductive phases.

With proper records, events can be anticipated in advance and appropriate actions can be planned. That’s why regular monitoring of the herd and proper record-keeping are crucial for successful reproductive management of breeding animals.

Accurate Heat Detection as a Prerequisite for Successful Reproduction

Timely insemination—and consequently successful conception and a new lactation—depends heavily on the accuracy and efficiency of heat detection.

By regularly detecting and recording heats, farmers can monitor the reproductive cycle of each animal, assess fertility, and plan mating or insemination at the right time. Accurate heat detection affects:

determining the timing of first mating after puberty (heifers) or after calving (cows)

timely identification of animals in estrus, pinpointing the optimal time for insemination, and thereby improving reproductive success

the length of reproductive periods (service interval and period, postpartum interval, and calving interval)

early detection of fertility disorders and thus better reproductive health

reduced veterinary costs (fewer repeat inseminations or treatments) and fewer breeding animal culls

improved reproductive management and outcomes (insemination index, insemination success rate, pregnancy rate)

higher farm profitability through greater productivity—more calvings/calves, higher yields, and improved animal longevity

As herd sizes increase, new challenges arise. In larger herds, the accuracy and efficiency of heat detection often decline without the use of modern technology, as observing all animals becomes more time-consuming and less reliable. This increases the risk of errors in estrus detection and recording, leading to incorrect or inefficient decisions that can result in significant economic losses.

Therefore, the use of digital tools is a smart choice. It enables farmers to make timely and informed decisions and plays a key role in the success of reproduction.

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Digital Tools for Greater Accuracy and Fewer Errors in Farming

As modern agriculture keeps pace with rapid development and digitalization, more and more farmers are turning to advanced technologies that enable herd activity monitoring—including precise heat detection.

These advanced solutions operate by tracking behavioral and physiological changes in individual animals. Using sensors and algorithms, the technology automatically detects deviations and alerts the farmer. This brings several concrete advantages:

greater accuracy in detecting important health and reproductive deviations, including subtle changes that are difficult for farmers to notice

monitoring without physical presence, saving time and labor

instant alerts when deviations are detected, enabling immediate and timely intervention

herd monitoring via mobile apps, allowing quick responses even when away from the barn

a comprehensive overview of herd reproduction through regular digital data recording and analysis

reduced reliance on human observation, leading to fewer errors and more reliable, higher-quality decision-making

In addition to general monitoring of animal health and welfare, modern technologies have particular value in managing reproduction—one of the key factors in successful farming. That’s why it makes sense to take advantage of the benefits that digital tracking and recording of reproductive processes offer.

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shorten calving intervals (DMT – days between calvings)

increase milk production and the number of calvings/calves

increase income while reducing rearing costs

reduce the need for regular physical rounds

A System That Thinks About Reproduction, So You Can Focus on Everything Else

Heat detection is the foundation of successful reproduction and cost-effective breeding. On farms without technological support, mistakes are common—leading to significant losses in both time and money. 

enable precise, automated, and reliable heat monitoring, helping farmers achieve higher insemination success, fewer missed cycles, and significantly improved reproductive efficiency.

By implementing modern solutions like the MooHero system, heat detection becomes simpler, faster, and—most importantly—more reliable. A solution that not only makes farmers' work easier but also improves the long-term performance of the entire herd.

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Accurate Heat Detection: The Key to Successful Reproduction

Ruminating as an Indicator of Cattle Health

Ruminating in cattle is more than just a routine – it is a key physiological process that directly reflects the health status, welfare, and production efficiency of the animals. Changes in the time, frequency, or intensity of rumination often signal health disorders even before clinical signs appear. Since it can be difficult to detect these changes in time, in modern practice the use of technologies such as MooHero smart collars is increasingly reasonable, as they allow farmers to monitor cow behavior and act promptly to maintain herd stability.

Understanding the principles of rumination, monitoring behavioral patterns, and taking timely action when deviations occur are becoming an indispensable part of modern cattle farming practice.

Rumination as the Basis of Effective Digestion

Cattle usually consume or graze feed quickly, swallowing it without thorough chewing. The feed that has already been ingested is later thoroughly chewed, either while standing during milking or lying down at rest – this process is called rumination.

Rumination is a physiological process of mechanical digestion in ruminants, which takes place in separate, rhythmic rumination cycles, during which cattle re-chew already ingested feed thoroughly.

Rumination appears in young animals in the second to third week of age, when, in addition to milk, we start offering solid feed and fiber, which stimulate the development of the rumen and its microflora. The main purpose of rumination is the fundamental mechanical processing and thus the breakdown of fibrous feed, which increases digestibility. At the same time, saliva with bicarbonates is produced, which helps regulate the pH in the rumen and prevents the occurrence of acidosis, which significantly contributes to the health and efficiency of the digestive system.

Every Jaw Movement Counts – Signs of Healthy Rumination

A healthy cow has a highly organized daily rhythm that includes feeding, resting, ruminating, milking, and other activities. Each day it spends 4 to 6 hours feeding in 9 to 14 meals, during which it consumes 40 to 60 kg of feed. It ruminates between 7 and 9 hours, divided into 8 to 20 rumination periods, and lies down approximately 12 to 14 hours, usually divided into 11 lying bouts.

Characteristics of rumination in a healthy cow:

7 to 9 hours of rumination daily or 450 to 550 minutes daily, mostly in a lying position

8 to 20 rumination periods, each lasting from 1 minute to 1 hour

1 rumination bout lasts 40 seconds, during which 30 to 60 chews per bolus are made, of which 15 to 30 chews on each side of the jaw

Pauses between cycles last 4 to 8 seconds

Approximately 30,000 to 45,000 jaw movements are made during daily rumination

The Importance of Decline in Rumination as an Early Warning Sign

Reduced time and frequency of rumination not only affect the health and productivity of the animals but also have serious economic consequences. With a decline in rumination, the risk of disease increases, especially digestive and metabolic, and consequently, digestibility and feed efficiency also decrease. This is often reflected in a drop in milk yield, more difficult treatments, and longer recovery.

For this reason, a decrease in rumination is considered a warning sign that requires the farmer’s attention. While a healthy cow ruminates approximately 450–550 minutes daily, rumination time below approximately 400 minutes daily is considered a warning threshold. Such a decline often predicts diseases and infections, but it can also be the result of stressful factors or physiologically normal events such as calving and estrus.

It is generally known that rumination decreases already 12 to 24 hours before the clinical signs of disease appear, such as: malaise and loss of appetite, decline in feed intake and rumination, weakness, loss of condition, and a drop in milk yield. By monitoring the time and intensity of rumination, declines can be detected early, which also enables timely action.

A decline can also occur as a result of inappropriate handling of animals, sudden changes in the environment, or other stress factors – in these cases, it decreases by about 20%. Heat stress in summer is the most common reason for such deviation – rumination falls by 20 to 30% at THI values above 75, which seriously threatens the health and production performance of cows. A decline in rumination is characteristic at estrus (up to 24%) and calving (up to 27%). Drops in rumination are very common on the day of calving or just before it, then usually stabilize in the first hours after calving. If a cow does not start ruminating sufficiently soon after calving, this often indicates a risk or occurrence of postpartum complications such as hypocalcemia, metritis, or mastitis.

Factors Affecting Rumination Time and Intensity

Feed and water (composition, amount, quality, and access)

Environmental conditions (heat, humidity, and stress) and management practices

Differences between individual animals can be very large, so monitoring rumination at herd level is less effective – it is more reliable to compare each cow with her own average values.

 allow continuous recording of behavioral parameters, thereby creating a behavioral profile of each animal. With every deviation from this personal pattern, the system can alert the farmer to a possible health problem even before the first visible (clinical) signs appear.

Monitoring rumination is also useful after the onset of disease, since the return of rumination to normal levels is a good indicator of the success of treatment and the general recovery of the animal.

Diseases and Conditions Associated with a Decline in Rumination

Rumination in cattle is closely related to overall health and welfare. Any disorder that affects appetite, movement, comfort, or well-being of the animal almost always results in a change in the rumination rhythm.

The most common and at the same time the most undesirable causes of decline are diseases, infections, and injuries. Compared to other factors, they represent the greatest health, production, and economic threat, as they often lead to complications, prolonged treatment, reduced production, and higher costs.

The most common disease conditions associated with reduced rumination include:

Inflammatory and infectious diseases: mastitis, metritis

Digestive disorders: rumen indigestion (acidosis) and bloat, foreign bodies, and mechanical injuries of the digestive tract

Metabolic disorders: milk fever (hypocalcemia) and ketosis

The dynamics of rumination can differ between diseases. Some diseases can be consequences of reduced rumination, such as acidosis. In certain conditions such as injuries, infections, mastitis, hypocalcemia, and bloat, rumination decreases sharply or even stops completely in a very short time. In other cases such as ketosis, metritis, moderate metabolic disorders, or chronic diseases, the decline is gradual and harder to detect without precise monitoring.

With advanced MooHero technology, today we can monitor the duration, frequency, and distribution of rumination and quickly detect both sudden and gradual deviations that could otherwise remain unnoticed.

A Healthy Cow Makes at Least 30,000 Chews Daily – Does Yours?

Maintaining stable rumination is the basis of health, metabolic balance, and successful milk production. The key to this is proper nutrition, hygiene, animal welfare, and control of environmental conditions.

Modern solutions allow continuous recording and early detection of deviations even before visible signs of disease appear. This way the farmer can act in time and avoid health complications and economic damage, while maintaining the health and productivity of the herd.

Every cow tells more than we think – if we know how to listen. MooHero does it for you – quietly, precisely, and every day.

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rumination

Rumination in cattle is a crucial indicator of their health, welfare, and productivity.

MooHero – CPZ Govedo Integration that Saves Farmers Time

The development of cattle farming has advanced significantly in recent years — from modern equipment and technology to increasingly precise animal monitoring. At the same time, this progress has also brought more administrative requirements: more data, records, and documentation of various events in the herd.

Some data must be reported to official registries, which is why breeders still face searching for, copying, and filling out documents. Precisely because of these challenges, a connection has been established that brings the main benefits:

bull information is available instantly, with no rewriting

no more manually completed insemination forms

More data – more challenges in management

Most data in cattle farming is still kept in several places at the same time – in a calendar, a notebook, cards, software, and official registers. This means that information is often written down by hand and then needs to be rewritten into other records. As a result, data gets duplicated, differs, or some of it is simply missing.

When information is scattered across so many different places, typical challenges arise:

data about cows and bulls must be found and then rewritten

insemination slips are still written by hand and accumulate in folders

the same data is entered twice or even multiple times

the overview of animal data is not always complete or accessible when the farmer needs it

Such fragmentation leads to more errors and less reliable data. Checking a cow's card, searching for bull information, or entering an insemination takes valuable time that the farmer could otherwise devote to the animals.

A connection for less administration and easy herd management

The connection makes it possible for data about animals and their events, bulls, and their official information to be transferred automatically and with one click from CPZ Govedo into MooHero, and inseminations in the opposite direction – directly from MooHero into CPZ Govedo.

of all animals from CPZ Govedo (and their latest events).

 – with just one click and with all official data.

directly from MooHero, without additional logins to CPZ.

The connection is designed to simplify data management as much as possible, reduce manual entries, and eliminate duplicated work.

MooHero reads CPZ Govedo and transfers animal data from it, while sending insemination data directly to CPZ Govedo – which means all key data is transferred with one click, quickly and without errors.

1. import of cows and heifers from CPZ Govedo

when the system is set up, the MooHero team takes care of the initial entry of all animals, so the farmer can start using it immediately – later, new animals can be easily imported on an ongoing basis, without manual rewriting

only the animal’s ear tag number is entered, and MooHero automatically retrieves all known data from CPZ Govedo (name, birth, sex) and the latest events of the current lactation

the farmer enters one piece of data about the bull (name/national number/ear tag number), and MooHero finds and imports the official bull data from CPZ Govedo with one click

the app allows keeping a personal list of bulls, which can be easily added when entering inseminations

farmers with a valid inseminator code can enter inseminations into MooHero and send them directly to CPZ Govedo, without additional logins

the system automatically creates an insemination slip, which is available digitally both in MooHero and in CPZ Govedo

The connection brings more transparency, less administration, and above all more time for the animals.

one-time data entry – no double typing or rewriting, which means fewer errors and more reliability

automatic imports of cow and bull data from CPZ Govedo – with just a few clicks and without manual inputs

access to all key data – an overview of all known events for cows and official data about bulls, all in one place

simple exports of inseminations – reporting directly to CPZ Govedo and automatic creation of insemination slips in digital form

no more cards, papers, and folders for storing slips – everything is stored digitally and always at hand

always accurate and synchronized data – greater transparency and more reliable decisions

Continuous development – for even more functionality and integrations

The MooHero team will continue developing 

 for even easier work and more integrated records with official systems.

 less administration, more time for the animals.

At MooHero, we continuously develop new integrations – in addition to CPZ Govedo, we are already preparing 

 (milking robots) and opening possibilities for other integrations that will enable farmers even more connected digital farm management.

Start using MooHero with the CPZ Govedo connection

With the connection, data management is simple, transparent, and efficient. In just a few clicks, you can import animals with all key data, enter and export inseminations, and at the same time update the official records – without additional typing. This gives you more time for what really matters – effective care and growth of the herd.

The connection combines digital transparency, official data, and practicality in one place, which is a step forward toward modern, simple, and efficient farm management.

CPZ Govedo Integration that Saves Farmers Time

MooHero - CPZ Cattle Connection, Saving Farmers Time

Lemež Farm increased milk production by 40% in six years through improvements and smart collars.

A Family Farm now in its fifth generation

. On the outskirts of Maribor, in Zrkovci, the Lemež family farm is now successfully run by the fifth generation. Lea Lemež Bohak manages the farm together with her mother Danica and father Ciril. An essential part of the team are also her husband Boštjan and brother Boštjan. Together, they raise around 100 head of cattle, milking up to 45 cows daily. Their teamwork ensures that all key processes on the farm – from insemination to hoof trimming – are performed timely and with quality.

Fleckvieh Dual-Purpose Breed as the Foundation

The Fleckvieh breed, which they’ve raised from the beginning, remains the core of their herd.

The breed is highly adaptable, healthy, and resilient, which allows cows to stay in the herd longer. On top of that, it provides high milk quality and good meat yield, which is a big advantage for us.

Kmetija Lemež

Lemež Farm increased milk production by 40% in six years through improvements and smart collars

Blog

Reproduction without a bull: How Hedl Ranch manages their herd with MooHero

Accurate Heat Detection: The Key to Successful Reproduction

Ruminating as an Indicator of Cattle Health

MooHero - CPZ Cattle Connection, Saving Farmers Time

Lemež Farm increased milk production by 40% in six years through improvements and smart collars

MooHero detects all heats – even those I would otherwise miss.

A Smart Decision for Better Reproduction

Silent Heats Are No Longer a Problem – MooHero Detects What I Can't See with the Naked Eye

Pregnancy checks and their simplification with the MooHero system