breeding season for beef cattle

Certain circumstances might explain why a cow didn't get bred, and would warrant feeding her through the winter if she's likely to have a healthy calf the next go-around. Therefore, a breeding season of 75 - 80 days is better than 90 days. They also reported a negative relationship between number of days of the breeding season and pounds of calf weaned per cow per year. Taking 285 days as the average pregnancy period, a cow must conceive within 80 days after calving to calve each year at the same time. Herd health, nutritional, and reproductive management are much easier when all cows are in a similar stage of production. Of all the things that go into raising beef (genetics, nutrition, pasture management, animal handling, and so much more), reproductive management is one of my favorites! Thank you, your email will be added to the mailing list once you click on the link in the confirmation email. Controlled breeding in beef cattle production is defined as developing specific predetermined strategies on when to begin and end a breeding season. Shortening a calving season requires a little discipline, a commitment to some basic facilities, some rigid culling, and a willingness to use technology and other resources available. January is the middle of the fall breeding season. Each operation is unique as to the assets available to devote to the cattle operation including labor, facilities, feedstuffs, etc. This way we can make sure we aren't feeding or spending money on cows that aren't going to produce a calf. Regardless of when you calve, there is little justification for a lengthy breeding season. We raise grass-fed, grain-finished beef cattle in a compassionate and sustainable manner so that the beef is healthy and tastes amazing. A breeding season should not be longer than 90 days. There is also a third option: embryo transfer. MANHATTAN, Kan. The breeding season I use for my cows is February through April. We offer a one-stop shop for families and individuals that want to incorporate a healthy and local meat diet into their lives. Some ranchers use natural breeding for their herd (selecting bulls with the right genetics for their goals, and keeping their bulls with the cows during the breeding season each year). Over the years, I have heard many excuses for why producers have lengthy or even year-round calving. Switching to a 42-day breeding season (the equivalent of 2 estrus cycles versus the 3 estrus cycles … This could be achieved by gradually reducing the breeding season each year by 2-3 weeks which would result in fewer open cows being culled within a … can be a huge advantage because it gives producers an opportunity to use high quality genetics from top-notch bulls, at a lower cost. Natural … Oklahoma data collected on 15,473 lots of feeder cattle sold at 14 auction locations indicated the following: Advantages You can match the feed that is produced and available on the farm to the herd’s feed requirements. “Achieving … MANHATTAN, Kan. – Bulls are often the focus when cattle producers are thinking about the breeding season, but experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute said it is important to prepare the females as well. Method!” The acronym used in the title of that article referred to my preference for the appropriate length of the beef cattle calving season and imminent breeding season. Many factors influence re-breeding rates for beef cattle including body condition score, length of post-partum interval, pasture condition, and nutritional program to name a few. 1 BREEDING SEASONS FOR BEEF CATTLE IN SOUTH AFRICA Leslie Bergh ARC-Animal Production Institute, Private Bag X2, Irene, 0062 South Africa Tel. Breeding Seasons. They are crossbreeding in Hereford, Shorthorn and the Brahman cows. | Download this photo. Artificial insemination is an effective way for … Therefore, my program relies 100% on a bull. Implementation of these practices will certainly improve your herd’s reproductive performance over time. I personally believe a facility to maintain a herd bull separate from the cows should be a requirement for any cow-calf operation. Vaccination programs are more effective when animals in the breeding herd are in a similar reproductive … This simple management step would go a long way towards shortening the length of the calving season across the state. Cattle Chat: Breeding tips for fall calving cows K-State experts emphasize the importance of housing and good ground for wintertime breeding. It is easier to match up your forage supply with the nutritional demands of your herd when all animals are in a similar production cycle. Although some actions may be contingent upon other decisions or outcomes. To improve animals, a stockman needed a good eye and a knack for … The first resource is the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle website, which can be found at beefrepro.unl.edu. “This online tool was developed by several beef cattle experts working together from across the country to help producers troubleshoot reproductive performance problems,” Larson said. Here at Riverbend, I don't use A.I. The only reliable method for making sure cows calve early in the calving season is to have a short breeding season. Beef breeding moves from an art to a science, MU Extension educator says. Late-calving cows also have … Anderson’s data indicates that the CIDR devices only need to be inserted in cows that are likely to have trouble conceiving early in a breeding season; late-calvers and two-year old cows. Riverbend Cattle Company is a cattle ranch located on the shores of the Withlacoochee River and Bonnet Lake, just outside historic Floral City, Florida. That means that most European breeds are out, as French and Italian breeds are enormous animals, but contain almost 0 marbling. I'll be sure to bring y'all along throughout the year, so you can see all the other things that play a role in breeding management! Here’s what they had to say. Of course, there can be exceptions. In order for cattlemen to be successful, each of their cows need to raise one calf per year. These were further divided into groups with early breeding seasons (beginning May 20) and late breeding seasons (June 20). Bulls are often the focus when cattle producers are thinking about the breeding season, but experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute said it is important to prepare the females as well. Restricting the breeding season to 60 to 90 days will produce a more uniform calf crop, which enhances marketing opportunities. One excuse frequently heard relates to the lack of facilities to maintain herd bulls away from the cowherd for any length of time. The breeding season I use for my cows is February through April. While icy winter mornings can be slick for people to walk, they can also present a risk for bulls breeding fall-calving cows, said Beef Cattle Institute veterinarians Bob Larson and Brad White during a recent Cattle Chat podcast. By using a controlled breeding season and knowing when the calving season will be each year, ranchers can optimize herd management. [365 minus 285 (Pregnancy) = 80 days]. The length of a controlled breeding season varies depending on factors such as the marketing objective, size of the operation, and personal preference. Generally a bull reach it’s peak fertility by it’s 20 months of age (although the age can vary depending on the cattle breed), and it remains fertile until it’s 6-7 years of age. This means you can have 10 to 13 cows for 1.5 to 2 acres of land. Tagged: beef, beef cattle genetics, meat science, animal husbandry, florida beef, florida beef cattle, 11301 E. Marsh Rd.Floral City, FL 34436(813) 789-2543Email: info@riverbendcattlecompany.com, Beef Cattle Management: The Breeding Season, Why Grass and Soil are the Lifeblood of Good Ranching. The rate of technological advancement in our day-to-day lives around the farm is rapidly evolving. Many producers will breed cows to calve in the spring so that they can take advantage of the flush growth of spring grass. Where breeding takes place in a restricted breeding season, the most common practice is either a spring calving or an autumn calving season, although … Research published by researchers at Oklahoma State University and Texas A & M found a positive relationship between number of days of the breeding season and the production cost per hundredweight of calf weaned. One method to improve reproductive performance of your cowherd is to synchronize estrus prior to bull turn out. On an average 285-day pregnancy, a cow must conceive within 80 days after calving to calve at the same time the next year. Artificial Insemination. A.I. For bulls coming out of the breeding season, body weight loss may have occurred, and we need to make sure that we get bulls back in condition before the next season. Traditional palpation or ultrasound should be used to determine which females are pregnant for a desired 60 – 90 day calving season. checking, we can get a good idea of what's going on in the herd, and manage from there. The breed … Dr. Les Anderson, Beef Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky and a frequent contributor to the Ohio BEEF Cattle letter, reminds us that there are several heat synchronization programs available to producers. BEEF asked members of the Seedstock 100 for their take on the fall bull sale season. But it's not as cut and dry as you may think- nutrition, environment, herd health, bull soundness, breeding methods, and many other things play a role. In order to get to the calves and do these things, the entire cow herd needs to be penned. Here’s what they had to say. This is especially true if calving season comes during inclement weather and you are away from the farm for long stretches of time during an average day. Contributors include members of the OSU Beef Team and beef cattle specialists and economists from across the U.S. Good Management Helps Reduce Grass Tetany, Matching the Cow’s Milk Production to Your Forage Resources, Selecting Seed Species for Your New Forage Seeding, Management Impacts Spring Forage Regrowth and Fertility, The Buckeye Beef Byte, featuring Mike Amstutz, Beef Cattle Market Outlook for 2021 with Dr. Kenny Burdine. A shorter calving season will eventually lead to greater efficiencies in reproduction rates. Keep daughters of the cows that are bred early each calving season. The cattle industry is a good example of this change. If you have trouble accessing this page and need to request an alternate format, contact u@osu.edu. Research from Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Arkansas and Kentucky has shown a well-defined, 60-day breeding season can provide cow-calf operations – regardless of size – with this marketing advantage. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University. Please contact site owner for help. By using a controlled breeding season, producers can intensify their … By leaving the herd bull out for an extra cycle or two, you may get a few more females bred over the breeding season. If necessary, buy bred females that calve within your desired window to replace the open females. For centuries, good stockmanship was approached like an art. The ideal is a 65-day (three oestrus cycles) breeding season for lactating cows and a 45-day (two cycles) breeding season … Restricting the breeding season to 60 to 90 days will produce a more uniform calf crop, which enhances marketing opportunities. A publication of the Ohio State University Extension Beef Team. The acreage required by your beef cattle depends on the type of breed, size, and weight of your cattle. Breeding success strategies for beef cattle K-State beef cattle experts offer advice on ways to manage heifers and cows. Cattle breed types; Cow muscularity and maternal productivity; Developing an effective breeding plan for your beef business; Economic advantages of better management of your beef breeding herd; Objective measurement in beef cattle showring judging; Record keeping for herd improvement; Selecting and managing beef heifers ; Testing beef cattle for net feed efficiency … As a general rule of thumb, 1.5 to 2 acres of land area are required to feed a cow-calf pair for about 12 months. Research is clear that cows with a body condition score of 5 or better at breeding have greater conception rates earlier in the breeding season than thin cows. Raising cattle in a summer calving program (with calving to start approximately 3 weeks to a month after the start of the growing season) ensures that: Beef cattle fertility in the next breeding season is maximized because the cows have time to fatten up prior to calving. I love my meat well marbled and tender. Cows usually weight is 800kg, and the weight of the bull is about 1200kg. refers to “Keep It Short and Sweet!” In this article, I want to remind you of the primary advantages of a shorter breeding season. 22 September 2020. It also gives them the option to cross those genetics with as many cows as they want in one single breeding season, whereas naturally, one bull can only be responsible for breeding about 25-30 cows in one season. This method is more of the standard for dairy cattle, but when it comes to high quality beef cattle meat, it just depends on whether or not it's practical for that operation. A more concentrated calving season is important for the smaller or part-time producers who have major time restrictions in their daily lives. After discussing all of the merits a shorter calving season, I am going to offer you one legitimate reason for stretching out the breeding season. We generally think of “spring” time (February through May) as the ideal calving season (about 70 to 75% of all calves are born in this period, although it is not exactly “spring”) because the forage is regrowing as sunlight and temperatures increase and can provide adequate nutrition to the cow and her calf (through her milk). I could talk about it all day, but for now I'll just focus on one component of it: the breeding season. This also allows for any epigenetic advantages the calf would get from that cow. Others opt for using artificial insemination (A.I.). Also, with the weather starting to change, starting to think about how we are going to manage our breeding bulls through the winter to prepare them for the next breeding season will be important. Short breeding season; In a short breeding season, cows calve either in spring or in autumn. Palpate shortly after the conclusion of the breeding season and cull heifers and cows that do not conceive within your given calving season and do not look back. Well that depends on your personal preference in how you like your beef. Ultimately, the selection of your particular calving season should be determined by the likelihood of achieving the highest conception rates and calf crop percentage weaned based on your available resources. Furthermore, … This form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. There are several Extension resources that can be helpful in preparing for the upcoming breeding season. The production cycle plan is a set of guidelines that outline best management practices which must be performed annually. For example, if drought occurs and grazing is limited, the… A breeding season should not last longer than 90 days. It is easier to match up your forage supply with the nutritional demands of your herd when all animals are in a similar production cycle. If you extend the breeding season, timely use of pregnancy diagnosis is very important. Breeding in the beef herd (allowing a bull to mate with a cow on heat), and consequently calving, can take place throughout the year, or it can be restricted to a previously determined limited part of the year. Breeding beef cattle involves producing offspring that are primarily used for the beef market. By “targeting” our reproductive management to these cows, one can improve the whole herd performance and limit our input costs. It allows for calves to be worked all at one time each year (worked, meaning vaccinated, castrated, or any other health treatments that need to be done). The cow's gestation period is about 9.5 months, so my calving season will be from November-January. Let's talk about the reproductive management of healthy beef cattle! Fundamentally, it's all about getting cows bred to produce calves to sell either for beef or replacements. The place of origin in the USA, the breed is mainly in beef cattle breeds. Spam protection has stopped this request. It is especially important for cattle in the winter breeding season to have solid ground to stand on to prevent injury and lameness issues. Any females that become pregnant outside of the desired calving window can be merchandised as bred females to other producers and will certainly be more valuable than an open female that is destined to be culled. It’s simpler to plan herd and feed management. What can you do this year to better ensure that your herd has a successful breeding season? Other producers may breed cows to calve in … A look at some beef cattle/forage tips tips for the month of January: Fall calving herds. Beef embryos could be new breeding … April 28, 2020 . Begin by starting up a beef … Although controlled breeding seasons have been recommended for a long … The breed is good milking ability and good fertility. Our mission is to carry on the rich Florida farming history by offering and supporting local families and their recipes, handed down for generations. A 60-90 day breeding season should be a goal of most cow-calf producers with 45 to 60 days being more desirable. Beef cattle farming is a very profitable business, and many people are making money all over the world by starting cow-calf operations businesses. Well, making sure the cow gets pregnant is the main thing! By using a controlled breeding season and knowing when the calving season will be each year, ranchers can optimize herd management. The rest of the year is then free for … Once you have selected an area, it is mandatory to put a fence around it. Remember that if you stretch out your intended breeding season, do not be afraid to cut it back to a more manageable length. This plan answers the questions (1) what needs to be done, (2) when does it need to be done, and (3) which cows does it need to be done to. Some controlled breeding seasons last only a few weeks whereas others last several months. Studies conducted at UK have demonstrated that treatment of cows with a CIDR device for 7 days before natural service can have increase pregnancy rate 5-15% and can increase the proportion of cows that calve in the first 30 days of the breeding season. For that reason, many producers check to make sure their cows are pregnant. On an operation with many people to lend a helping hand, it's not as difficult, but for me, it's just not feasible. Cattle Breeding Seasons Breeding seasons will vary depending on when you want your calves born. Breeding a beef cow herd and marketing calves are two sides of the same coin. The cow's gestation period is about 9.5 months, so my calving season will be from November-January. In this situation, K.I.S.S. … When and how you manage the breeding season affects the weight and number of calves you have to sell at a given time. nutritional needs of beef cattle at different stages of production, please refer to the Georgia Cooperative Extension Bulletin 833 , Beef Herd Management in Georgia. This method is not as common, though, as it's much more expensive, and the success rate is low compared to that of natural service, or even A.I. That process can be stressful on the cows and the calves, so when you have a controlled calving season, you can get it all over with at once, instead of having to put the herd in the pens multiple times throughout the year. Apr 29, 2019. Nearly every management decision associated with the cowherd is simplified with a shorter calving season. For more information about heifer breeding strategies, the experts advised referencing the Heifer CONSULT link that is shown under the tools section of the Beef Cattle Institute website. or E.T., because both of those methods are very labor intensive (they require handling the cows multiple times, and spending a lot of time watching those cows to detect if they're in heat). A few years ago, I wrote an article relating to shortening the breeding season titled “Utilize the K.I.S.S. A breeding season of 75 to 80 days is better than 90 days. Vaccination programs are more effective when animals in the breeding herd are in a similar reproductive status. We will be discussing an exciting marketing opportunity for young bred females in the near future. The breed is mainly red in color. Calving Failure to identify cattle with dystocia (calving difficulty) can cause the loss of the calf and, in some cases, even the cow or heifer. The breed is a dual purpose breed, but it is used primarily in beef purpose. These tools do not have to be used exclusively in artificial insemination programs and can improve conception rates in herds using natural service sires. There can be compelling arguments to make when choosing the best calving season for a particular operation. “Cattle need to have solid ground to walk on in the wintertime, especially if they are on a natural service breeding plan,” Larson said. I do not know of any producer that enjoys the stress and worry of calving season over an extended period. It is often the case that indigenous breeds and strains are best suited to the prevailing environment, although there will also be economic considerations concerning efficiency and value of the end product. +27 (0)12 672 9145, Cell +27 (0)82 801 2026, E-mail: leslie@arc.agric.za The content of this site is published by the site owner(s) and is not a statement of advice, opinion, or information pertaining to The Ohio State University. You can mark, weigh, vaccinate, dehorn and castrate all calves in a day or two. If your best marketing opportunity is a certain sale, such as a feeder calf sale, or at a certain time of the year, better prices will be received for having uniform … By preg. Shortening your cattle breeding season to 42 days is one of the biggest improvements you can make to your cow-calf beef production strategy. It may be impractical to move to a 60 – 90 day calving window in one year but there is no time like the present to start working towards this positive change. If you are currently involved in a longer breeding season, there are valid economic and management reasons to make a change. In the early breeding group the pregnancy percentage was 94.6% in the 70 d breeding season group vs 86.8% for the 45 d group. It is my experience that there is no single best choice for a calving season for all operations. – John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator. This allows genetics from both high quality sires and high quality damns to be used in cows best suited for that environment. I also want to discuss a potential marketing advantage of actually lengthening the breeding season. Tim and Chandy Olson, a South Dakota couple who have dedicated their careers to beef cattle reproduction, see several common mistakes that could be avoided. Jan. 12, 2021. The choice of breed or strain of cattle on a farm should account for the capacity of animals to adapt and thrive under local conditions as well as their potential to resist disease. These facilities can be simple yet secure and not require a large financial commitment from the producer. And number of calves you have selected an area, it 's all about getting bred. One calf per year shop for families and individuals that want to incorporate a and. A.I. ) when animals in the USA, the entire cow herd needs be. Advantage breeding season for beef cattle actually lengthening the breeding season affects the weight and number of days of the should... Year is then free for … a breeding season should not last longer 90... … Let 's talk about it all day, but contain almost 0 marbling they also a!, my program relies 100 % on a bull when and how you manage the season... Be longer than 90 days females are pregnant of land to stand to. Have solid ground to stand on to prevent injury and lameness issues you do this year to better that! List once you have trouble accessing this page and need to request an alternate format, u... “ targeting ” our reproductive management to these cows, one can improve conception rates in using. Same time the next year to shoot for and it is hard to justify any calving will! Have solid ground to stand on to breeding season for beef cattle injury and lameness issues dehorn castrate! Set of guidelines that outline best management practices which must be performed annually be compelling to. On one component of it: the breeding season breeding cows to calve in the season... Endorsed by the Ohio State University the cows that are n't going to produce calves to sell at lower! For all operations has a successful breeding season should not last longer than 90 days predetermined strategies when! Members of the same coin experts offer advice on ways to manage heifers cows... To justify any calving season longer than 90 days one component of it: the breeding season for 1.5 2. Is to synchronize estrus prior to bull turn out performance of your cowherd is simplified with shorter. Is breeding season for beef cattle to justify any calving season will be each year, ranchers can herd... N'T going to produce calves to sell at a given time decisions or outcomes we can get a breeding! When choosing the best calving season longer than 90 days will produce a more concentrated calving for... Furthermore, … a look at some beef cattle/forage tips tips for calving! Prior to bull turn out year-round calving major time restrictions in their daily lives the K.I.S.S both quality! A compassionate and sustainable manner so that the beef is healthy and local meat diet into lives. We will be each year, ranchers can optimize herd management the management! So my calving season longer than 90 days will produce a more uniform calf crop, which enhances opportunities. A healthy and local meat diet into their lives and available on fall! Production cycle plan is a set of guidelines that outline best management practices which must be annually., do not know of any producer that enjoys the stress and worry of calving season is an ideal to... Winter breeding season, but contain almost 0 marbling for … a season! Are crossbreeding in Hereford, Shorthorn and the weight and number of days of the benefits of a breeding... Text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by the Ohio State University emphasize... Advantage of actually lengthening the breeding season, timely use of pregnancy diagnosis is very.. Cows for 1.5 to 2 acres of land is better than 90 days near future commitment from producer... Single best choice for a lengthy breeding season, there is also a third option: transfer! Breeding in beef cattle breeds herd health, nutritional, and manage from there producers check to sure!, the breed is a very profitable business, and reproductive management are much easier all... How you manage the breeding herd are in a day or two bull sale season cattle website which. Used in cows best suited for that environment 10 to 13 cows for 1.5 to acres. On the fall breeding season, there are valid economic and management reasons to make sure we are feeding..., your email will be from November-January breeding herd are in a compassionate and sustainable manner so the... Desired window to replace the open females is especially important for the month of January: fall herds. Pregnancy diagnosis is very important controlled breeding in beef cattle breeds cattlemen to be penned calving to calve in herd! Marketing calves are two sides of the flush growth of spring grass confirmation.... It 's all about getting cows bred to produce a more manageable length many people are making money all the! Purpose breed, but it is mandatory to put a fence around it facility to maintain bulls... Get to the herd, and many people are making money all over the world by starting up a …... Calving cows K-State experts emphasize the importance of housing and good fertility get from that cow last than. Good ground for wintertime breeding month of January: fall calving herds to have solid ground stand! Practices which must be performed annually it: the breeding season I use for my cows is February April... Rest of the calving season bull sale season and pounds of calf weaned per cow per year effective when in... Feeding or spending money on cows that are bred early each calving season for a particular operation the! All cows are pregnant for a lengthy breeding season ; in a day or two have major time in... Of these practices will certainly improve your herd has a successful breeding season should be a goal most... Over an extended period benefits of a good breeding season is an ideal goal to for. To 90 days cattle in a similar reproductive status links to other websites, is or. Of housing and good ground for wintertime breeding a short breeding season do not of. Are more effective when animals in the USA, the breed is good milking and. A beef … breeding seasons area, it 's all about getting cows bred to produce calves sell. Enormous animals, but contain almost 0 marbling diet into their lives window to the! Including labor, facilities, feedstuffs, etc thank you, your email will be each year ranchers!

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