Selecting Heifer Bulls

Calving ease EPDs consider multiple factors.

It is important to select specific bulls when breeding heifers so the heifer’s first calf can be born easily. While using the birth weight (BW) expected progeny difference (EPD) for selection is popular, the calving ease EPD is more important, says Travis Olson at Ole Farms Athabasca, Alta., Canada. This is more important than trying to assess a bull visually, judging him on how big his head is, or how thick his neck and shoulders are, he adds. There’s much more to it than that.

AI in Beef Cattle

Advancements lead to increased profitability for commercial cattlemen.

Artificial insemination (AI) in U.S. cattle was first accomplished in dairy herds in the 1930s with cooled fresh semen — transported in glass vials kept cool in ice water. Most AI studs were local, because fresh semen couldn’t be transported very far. The advent of frozen semen revolutionized this process. Beef AI got started in the early 1950s.

Today the process is easier with synchronization, and conception rates have also improved. Willie Altenburg, a cattleman in northern Colorado with registered Simmental and Angus, works for Select Sires and says heat synchronization has worked very well for heifers for many years.

Using AI in Very Warm Weather

The hottest part of the day should be avoided when breeding, despite traditional a.m./p.m. rule.

As the breeding season for spring-calving herds is getting underway, understanding heat stress in cattle takes an increased importance. Producers who choose to synchronize and then artificially inseminate (AI) replacement heifers or adult cows may have already started, or will begin, the process in the next few weeks. If the hot weather arrives during the AI breeding season, some management and breeding alterations may be helpful.

Three Ways to Improve Efficiency This Breeding Season

Take advantage of technology, including breeding indicators, to improve reproductive results.

Many technologies are available to improve reproductive efficiency, a key performance indicator for herd profitability. Yet, only a handful of producers are using them. Are you among those using the tools at your fingertips?

June is Key Time to Control Brush

K-State’s newest Chemical Weed Control publication is a good guide.

A Kansas State University range management specialist, Walt Fick, says landowners are approaching a key window of opportunity for controlling three woody brush species that are prevalent in pastures.

Offset Hay Costs

Lower feed bills by stockpiling, planting small-grains crops.

Stockpiling forages and feeding small-grains crops year-round can help cattle producers offset the higher costs of hay.

That is the message from Larry Redmon, Extension program leader and associate department head for soil and crop sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station. Redmon said small-grains forage crops should be planted six to eight weeks prior to the first frost of winter. He covered several small-grains forage options for beef cattle producers to consider.

BQA Program Distributes Extensive National Manual

Checkoff-funded effort is a resource for responsible cattle management.

An official manual for the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program that is both detailed and extensive is now being distributed nationwide throughout the cattle industry. The manual and the BQA program are both managed by the producer education team at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.

Angus Advisor

Our team of Angus advisors offer regional tips for herd management for the summer season.