Artificial insemination (A.I.) is a great way to advance herd genetics. You can access bulls offering superior traits to what a herd sire might offer and gain the ability to sire more uniform calves.

A complete breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) for every bull, 45 to 60 days before each breeding season, is critical. It takes sperm 60 days to develop and mature.

Countless factors tie into how successful breeding season is. But when you start digging deeper, you might find a common thread – numbers.

There are many components to estrus synchronization protocols, so I’m not surprised when I receive a phone call with questions. To help with your next synchronization project, I’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions.

We often focus primarily on heifer and cow nutrition because it is of great importance; however, it’s also important to remember that 50% of your calf crop’s genetics come from the sire.

The utilization of embryo transfer (ET) offers a great opportunity for genetic improvement in beef cattle operations.

"How much should I spend on a bull?” is a tough question and one that pops up seasonally like the common cold. Bulls are a long-term asset for a beef cow enterprise and can be an expensive asset at that.

One of the most important yearly management decisions facing producers is bull selection. This becomes evident when realizing a bull will influence the genetic makeup of 20-25 calves per bull per year.

What is sexed semen?

Sex-sorted semen, or sexed semen, is a reproductive technology that allows beef producers to generate calves of the desired sex to fit their market and herd needs.

Now more than ever, producers are trying to maximize outputs and herd performance all while reducing costs. Taking advantage of tools that allow for reduced costs and increased productivity and profitability is an essential worth to producers in today’s industry. One tool that has been utilized in the beef industry for several years, and one that has evident value in beef production is crossbreeding. Crossbreeding provides increased performance with minimal, if any additional costs to the producer.