Economic impact of the use of prostaglandin to induce estrus in dairy cows.

An economic model concerning the value of using prostaglandin (PG) in dairy cows with nondetected estrus was developed. Considering numerous and varied assumptions, it was more profitable to treat cows with PG and to breed the cows at a detected estrus than it was not to treat the cows and to wait to breed the cows at a detected estrus. Generally, using timed artificial insemination, it was also more profitable to breed PG-treated cows than it was not to use PG. However, timed insemination was less profitable than was breeding PG-treated cows by artificial insemination at a detected estrus.