Selecting heifers that will have the optimum mature size and milk level to fit our production system, breed quickly, wean a calf annually and have longevity is important for the success of your ranch.
Reducing dependence on feeds and susceptibility to poor weather or market conditions, there is growing interest in developing replacement heifers at a lower cost without compromising reproductive performance.
Reproductive Tract Scoring is a measurement involving rectal palpation of the heifer reproductive tract and the subsequent assignment of a reproductive tract score, to assist in making replacement heifer decisions.
Heifers conceiving early in their first breeding season will have increased lifetime production and efficiency. It is critical heifers attain enough weight to initiate their first estrous before the onset of breeding.
One of the things University of Missouri researchers discovered as they looked at heifer development is the importance of identifying the fertility response of heifers before breeding.
University of Missouri's David Patterson gives a detailed look at why we must understand the science behind fixed-time and split-time AI protocols for the overall health and performance of our future cow herds.