Are cows pregnant all the time?

No. A cow's gestation period is 9 months. During the last two months of gestation, cows are 'dried' (meaning they are not milked) so their energy is focused on the development of the calf. After the calf is born, a cow will ramp up milk production. The optimal timing to breed a cow again is typically 3 -4 months, in concordance with the cow's natural ovulation cycle. It is also the optimal timing to maintain her body condition and avoid metabolic issues. Naturally, cows may not get pregnant instantly each time - it may take a few ovulation cycles.