Resources for Synching Your Breeding Season

By synching estrus during the breeding season, calving season will be more concentrated.

by Aaron Berger, University of Nebraska Extension

For many producers, the spring breeding season is still a ways off, but now is a good time to review the most current protocols for synchronizing estrus and develop a plan for this year. There are several extension resources that can be helpful in preparing for the upcoming breeding season.

The first resource is the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) website, beefrepro.org. The content for this website is developed and maintained by the Beef Reproduction Task Force, a multistate extension cooperative. The website has the current recommended protocols for synchronizing estrus of both heifers and cows, along with several resources related to understanding the estrous cycle in cattle.

The Beef Reproduction Task Force also hosts an annual symposium. This event is considered the premier national event in beef cattle reproductive management and has a long history of providing the latest information on the application of reproductive technologies. Past proceedings for the event are available at the website and cover a range of topics related to cow herd reproduction — such as nutritional interactions, management and male fertility. The task force also offers monthly webinars you can sign up for and view live or watch from the archive.

A second resource is a webinar titled “Principles for Improving Conception Rates with Estrus Synchronization and AI” by Nebraska Extension Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiologist Rick Funston. The presentation gives an overview of principles to remember and use to enhance the success of estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI).

A third resource that is extremely helpful is the Estrus Synchronization Planner, developed and maintained by the Iowa Beef Center. This free Excel^® spreadsheet tool can be used to help identify the best synchronization protocol based on desired goals. The planner also provides a detailed calendar with the correct products to use, along with dates and times based on the selected protocol. Correctly following the protocol is critical to success of any program to synchronize estrus. This planner helps clarify details in an easy-to-use format.

Are you seeking to evaluate the costs and benefits of AI as compared to natural service? The Breeding Cost Cow-Q-Lator is an Excel spreadsheet tool that can assist producers in calculating the costs and value associated with natural service and AI to help producers compare the two options.

The development of protocols to synchronize estrus in beef cattle for use with either natural service or AI has provided greater opportunities for cattle producers to benefit from these technologies. Taking time to review the options available and evaluate how they might be used can help producers select the tools that are right for them.

More information from University of Nebraska beef specialists is available in the BeefWatch podcast available at https://go.unl.edu/podcast.

Editor’s note: Aaron Berger is a University of Nebraska Extension beef educator. Photo by Troy Walz.

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