Prepare for Breeding Season
A successful breeding season begins with proactive management, focusing on everything from nutrition to selecting the right genetic traits. The resources found here offer expert guidance on synchronization protocols, bull fertility and the latest reproductive technologies to help you maximize conception rates and herd productivity. By leveraging these practical insights, producers can fine-tune their programs to ensure a more uniform and profitable calf crop.
Getting cows bred and keeping them pregnant is key to capitalizing on the record cattle market.
With high calf prices, now might be the time to consider investing in your nutrition program to maximize reproductive performance.
Bulls with more than 0.5" of backfat have a higher probability of failing the bull soundness exam.
Extension livestock management specialist Lacey Quail shares tips to help producers improve cow herd fertility.
Factors to consider when deciding if it is time to pull bulls.
K-State collaboration results in cattle stress relief product that could increase reproduction rates.
K-State veterinarians review a case of 20% open heifers and discuss potential causes for the reproductive issue.
What is the value of a single cow calving one heat cycle earlier? If calves gain about 2 lb. a day from birth to weaning, in the current market with a pound of weaning weight valued in excess of $3, the added 40 lb. of weaning weight is worth at least $120 per cow.
It is estimated that cattle suffering from fescue toxicosis and heat stress alone cost the beef industry more than a billion dollars a year. University of Missouri demonstrates hair shedding is an economic relevant trait beyond the Southern U.S.
Strategies for evaluating herd performance following calving.
With bulls being an influential genetic piece to the cow herd, producers should consider several aspects of keeping bulls in optimal performance condition.
Cattle producers have been successful applying selection pressure to maintain calving ease while improving the additive genetic merit for weaning and yearling weight performance.
“I have seen minimal problems with scours and pneumonia. I think this set of calves moving to grass is as good as I’ve seen when I look back over the last 10 years,” says one Iowa veterinarian.
Researcher uses pig and bovine reproduction to understand male fertility challenges.
As fall-calving herds get ready to preg check and spring calving wraps up, many producers will be faced with deciding what to do with opens. Consider these tips when deciding which option is best for your herd.
Beef producers have a significant influence on meat quality through breeding choices and nutrition management.
Researchers look at four factors that contribute to early pregnancy loss: embryo, cow, bull and environment.
The first few hours of a calf’s life are critical to its success. Sometimes when producers need to intervene, the new mom goes into protection mode.
Using pre-breeding exams to help make decisions about which heifers should be kept or culled is a cost-effective way to eliminate potential problems.
Heifer development costs to consider include feed, health, breeding and other management expenses.
Mature bull nutrition requirements depend on body condition score and time of year.
Researchers are using gene editing techniques to introduce beneficial traits like polled and disease resistance, as well as exploring innovative approaches like surrogate sires.
Calculate a bull’s value proposition and consider how he can meet a herd’s needs and goals before purchasing.
Wearable technology is becoming more available for ranchers to keep an eye on individual animals in their herds.
With spring bull buying season here, producers should understand their goals for marketing calves and the genetic value to make replacement females.
Understanding the stages is critical in order to know when/if producers need to provide assistance during calving season to increase the likelihood a live calf is born alive and off to a good start.
Crossbreeding has shown increases in growth rate starting in utero, calf survival rate, immune function, average daily gain and longevity in cows.
There are many differences between individuals in the development of these signs and certainly age is a factor.
Both online and in-person sessions in January 2025 will provide information for farmers, ranchers and veterinary professionals involved in the calving process.
Rather than focusing breeding goals on being heavily terminal or primarily maternal, sexed semen allows commercial herds of all sizes to “take both roads.”