Heifer conception rate - Articles - Page 2

Three ways animal monitoring systems unlock hidden value in your reproduction program

Animal monitoring systems are a proven solution for more accurate heat detection. They can also unlock hidden values, like employee empowerment, adding dollars to your bottom line.

January 15, 2025

Don Gilberg

Animal monitoring systems are a time-tested and proven solution. Plus, they hold the key to unlocking other hidden values that bring more dollars to your bottom line.

Best practices for managing heifer reproduction

Establishing a voluntary waiting period, preparing animals for that period and proper breeding techniques will boost success in a heifer reproduction program.

September 18, 2024

Pete Weber

Your heifers are the future of your herd, and getting them to an ideal weight at the proper age is important to the future success of your business. Following simple protocols to get them bred at the ideal time will pay significant future dividends.

Selecting for and improving cow longevity

Keeping productive cows in your herd as long as possible is a key component of long-term ranch profitability. Here are a few management factors that contribute to your cows’ longevity.

September 10, 2024

Travis Mulliniks

Developing replacement heifers is one of the most expensive and complex management decisions for a cow-calf producer and also has long-term implications for profitability.

Use of estrus synchronization with natural service

While generally thought of as a part of A.I. breeding, synchronization can be equally valuable in natural service systems. These guidelines can help your bulls and females be more successful this breeding season.

March 15, 2024

Jason M. Warner

As managers of cow-calf production systems, we have available to us many different tools that may be used to accomplish tasks within our operations. Every tool, no matter what type, is designed for a specific purpose.

Evaluating fertility in the wake of embryo transfer

Proper data collection can ensure accurate reproductive trend analyses.

October 17, 2023

Asha Miles

Of the many reasons a cow may leave the milking herd, culling for reproductive problems is one of the most common. Commercial embryo transfer (ET) is one technology making waves in reproductive management and how we evaluate fertility.

58031-bechtel-herd-of-cows-with-breeding-indicators.jpg

Sexed semen: An opportunity to capture more value for cattle

Breeding with sexed semen can help your bottom line by creating cattle your particular market demands.

August 3, 2023

Wyatt Bechtel

“Male sexed semen is an opportunity to capture value,” said Kansas State University's Ken Odde, who also helps manage a family cow-calf ranch in South Dakota. “The opportunity’s greater when the price spread between steers and heifers is significant.”

Selecting for reproductive efficiency in beef herds

Keeping your cows on a 12-month calving interval is not an easy task, but understanding what their bodies are going through will help achieve that goal.

July 3, 2023

Dan Busch

The reproductive efficiency of cow-calf operations is one of the most important factors affecting the potential profitability of herds. The ideal cow calves early in the calving season every year, breeds back early in the breeding season and weans off a heavy calf year after year.

West: Breeding season – confirming selection of replacement heifers

April 14, 2023

Meranda Small

We’re fully into spring season by the month of May, and many operations are kicking out bulls or possibly preparing to artificially breed their herds, specifically potential replacement heifers.

Platinum heifers won’t be dropouts

Patience and a focus on a long, productive life and 10-week milk are all key to raising heifers that freshen in well and thrive as cows.

April 10, 2023

Gavin Staley

It’s easy to become impatient and want to breed heifers early to get them into the lactating herd and have them start paying off their debts as soon as possible.