Breeding: There seems to be a lot of interest in synchronisation programmes for heifers this year. Using hormones reduces the amount of heat detection required and front-loads the majority of heifers to calve at the start of the calving season. There are lots of variations of synchrony programmes. The target should be to get 65% to 70% of heifers in calf to the first service. The lowest-cost approach is to watch heifers for seven days and then inject with prostaglandin (PG) any heifers not served and wait for them to come into heat. Some farmers are using a double shot of PG.