Breeding Season

Management objective: Manage cows and bulls for maximum conception rate.

Points to Remember

• Reproductive efficiency has a greater impact on the economic returns of a ranch than any of the more highly heritable traits.
• Fertility records are the easiest of all performance records to keep. They reflect the level of management and environment more accurately than any other record kept.
• Reproductive performance is quite poor in lactating cows with low level energy rations. Cows with adequate or high level of nutrition have excellent reproductive performance.
• Performance is influenced more by environmental factors than genetic factors.
• Economically the early calf is more valuable to the enterprise than the late calf.
• A sound health program and good nutrition are requirements of any breeding program. They become even more important in an AI program.
• Concentrate on improving the genetic potential of the early calf. Do thisby using the genetically superior or proven bull in the bull battery first during the breeding season.
• A higher detection rate of cows in heat has been observed before noon than during the afternoon and evening. Shortly after sunrise a special effort should be made to detect estrus.
• One of the more important management decisions in an artificial breeding program is the length of the breeding season and the use of cleanup bulls.
• Proper facilities are essential to an AI program. They can be very simple or very elaborate.
• Estrus synchronization with prostaglandins has the potential to improve and increase artificial insemination programs with cattle.
• An estrus synchronizing program will not enhance overall pregnancy rates, increase conception or benefit reproductive performance in non-cycling or subfertile cattle, particularly when poor management is responsible for the condition of the cattle.
• Income and labor use can both be improved by shortening the calving season.
• Purchase bulls that will improve the genetic merit of the offspring.

• Keep an eye on the bulls to make sure that they are getting the cows bred. Injuries to bulls during the breeding season are relatively common.
• During the breeding season, ensure that the cows receive an adequate level of nutrient.
• Be sure that the mineral-salt mixture is available for the cattle and that the mixture has adequate levels of necessary minerals for preventing problems such as grass tetany.
• In single bull groups, watch the cows closely during the first 21 days of the breeding season so you will know if the cows are cycling and if the bull is settling the cows.

• Determine if creep feeding is an economically viable alternative.
• Review mineral supplementation program. Be sure consumption level is meeting needs.
• Get up to date on market prices.
• Plan some marketing alternatives.
• Review budget for future needs.

Other Documents in the Series