“A cow should have a calf every year.” For most cow-calf producers this is a true statement because the cow costs the same amount of money to keep – whether or not it raises and weans a calf to sell.

Pregnancies matter. Reproductive efficiency is a priority in beef herds. If producers depend on natural service, then bulls contribute to at least half of reproduction and at least as much to the future of the cow herd through his daughters.

In forage-based beef systems, balancing the environment (forage quality and quantity) and cow requirements is a driver of production efficiency.

It’s hard to count the number of wonderful things that come along with calving season: sleepless nights, spring storms, frozen ears (yours and the calves), endless chores, mean mamas, and the list goes on and on. And while in the trenches, it can seem like haying season would be a glorious break. Calving is the point at which the reproductive clock is reset for the next year within your cow herd.

Creating a successful calf takes more than strong genetics and proper raising. Much of the influence on a calf’s development happens during gestation. That’s what South Dakota State University Extension Meat Science Specialist Amanda Blair and North Dakota State University Extension Specialist Janna Block told Cattlemen’s College attendees at the NCBA Convention and Trade Show in New Orleans in January.

Spring is on the horizon and will be here before we know it. There is talk of spring bull sales; calving is in full swing for many folks; and planning for the spring works has begun.

When it comes to the topic of beef-on-dairy, industry experts express tentative enthusiasm amid the undercurrent of unanswered questions as dairy producers start to find new ways to add profitability to their industry.

Advanced reproductive technologies have helped the cattle industry make great strides in herd improvement – getting more calves from the best cows and making faster genetic progress.