Beef Cow Reproduction Management

Question 1

What is the goal of Beed Cow-Calf Production?

Answer 1

Wean one heavy, healthy calf with the greatest genetic potential to perform per cow per year

Question 2

How do you maximize reproductive efficiency?

Answer 2

maximize preg rate early in breeding season and develop replacement heifers that are highly fertile at the lowest cost

Question 3

What are some factors that cause infertility?

Answer 3

BCS, Stress, Heat, Age, Postpartum anestrus, suckling stimulus, genetics, nutrition, repro management, handling

Question 4

What is the equation for Reproductive Efficiency?

Answer 4

Management + Nutrition and Animal Health + Selection Pressure + Reproductive Technologies

Question 5

What can affect management?

Answer 5

The manager, build partnerships (Vet, other cattlemen, industry), care, detail oriented, data driven, record keeping

Question 6

What’s one uncommon reason that producers call a vet that could increase out utility to consumers?

Answer 6

Reproduction

Question 7

What are some important things a manager should keep in their records?

Answer 7

Dam ID, Sire information, vaccinations, pregnancy dates, temperament, breeding, health, birth weight, weaning weight, date of birth, BCS at calving and breeding, 21 day preg rate, overall preg rate, calving rate, weaning rate, weaning weight

Question 8

What are some descriptors that should be considered for selection pressure?

Answer 8

Calve at 24 months, calve once a year, calve without assistance, genetically perform, resources to help support calf, maintain BCS, not crazy

Question 9

How do you decide when the breeding season and calving season are?

Answer 9

45-120 day ideal (decrease by 10 days per year)

Nutrition, performance of cow and calf, market, time

Question 10

How do you add selection pressure?

Answer 10

Select for cows that get bred early (1st 30 days) in the season and calve early

(Calves born early wean calves at a higher weight)
These cows stay in the herd longer

Cull open cows

Use genomic tools to help

Question 11

What are forms of pregnancy diagnosis and when can you use them?

Answer 11

Rectal palpation - 30 days
Ultrasound - 26 days

Question 12

What are some reproductive technologies?

Answer 12

Cull open cows, fixed time AI, Embryo transfer, preg checks, season breeding, BSE, early wean, cross breed

Question 13

What does a breeding soundness exam not assess?

Answer 13

Libido, mating ability, venereal diseases, long term fertility

Question 14

Why is AI a great tool?

Answer 14

Disease prevention, best genetics, many bulls to select from, improve genetics, reduce cost of keeping bull, uniformity, cross breed

Question 15

What are benefits of estrus synchronization?

Answer 15

No estrus detection, optimize labor, induce cyclicity, increase portion female to AI, more female pregnant in short period

Question 16

What are benefits of timed AI?

Answer 16

More calves born earlier in the season, higher weaning weight

Question 17

What are the down sides to trying to do AI and synch protocols?

Answer 17

Expensive and the profit may not be enough to make it worth it. Also need to have good management and other factors (Body condition and days postpartum)

Question 18

What main factors affect TAI pregnancy rate?

Answer 18

BCS and Days Postpartum

Question 19

Does a cow with a higher or lower BCS have more trouble getting bred?

Answer 19

Higher (skinny cow gains weight then she use it for repro, larger cow has to lose weight and not triggered)

Question 20

If your producer is disappointed by the TAI rates what should you tell them?

Answer 20

It takes time to perfect them. 50% is pretty good for this. 50% of your herd in a day is a lot!