Switching Gears for Next Year’s Calf Crop

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cow calf angusAs many producers wrap up calving season, it’s time to switch gears and start thinking about next year’s calf crop. Here are seven things to put on your pre-breeding checklist:

  1. Don’t forget the breeding soundness exam

A herd sire is often one of the largest investments a cow-calf producer makes. Be sure to have a veterinarian conduct a breeding soundness examination to ensure that your bull’s battery is ready to get to work. In addition, make sure non-virgin bulls are tested for trich to avoid a major train wreck with the spread of disease, abortions and open cows.

  1. Purchase semen

If you’re planning to artificially inseminate (AI) cows and heifers, it’s time to pour over those semen catalogs and select the genetics you want to incorporate into next year’s calf crop. Keep in mind the goals of your operation, and write down your planned breedings. It’s easy to forget when it’s actually time to breed, so having a written plan of attack can keep you and your help on track on breeding day.

  1. Choose your artificial insemination breeding protocol

Do you plan to synchronize your cows for artificial insemination? If so, which breeding protocol do you plan to follow? Producers can choose the vaginal implant CIDR, the oral feed additive Melengestrol Acetate (MGA), or GnRH products such as Cystrorelin, Factrel, and Fertagyl to synchronize estrus in cows.

  1. Evaluate body condition scores

Females that are on an upward plane of nutrition tend to have an easier time getting pregnant. Make sure your cows are in good breeding shape and supplemental feed any heifers or lactating cows that might need a little extra help getting there.

  1. List matings for pastures

When it’s time to haul pairs to pasture, it’s important to note the grazing capacity of each pasture, which bull you plan to have where, and which cows will be the best mating for each bull or group of bulls you plan to expose them to. Double check your pairings to avoid line breeding or any mismatches that could potentially cause dystocia problems next calving season. Make your list and check it twice to make things easier at turnout time.

  1. Purchase pre-breeding vaccines

If you work your cow-calf pairs before turnout time, now is a great time to check in with your veterinarian (maybe when he comes out to conduct the breeding soundness exams on your bulls) and purchase any pre-breeding medicines and de-wormers. Remember to read through the vaccine protocols to refresh yourself on proper handling, injection methods and other considerations and check it twice to make things easier at turnout time.

  1. Fix fences, check water sources

Before turnout for the breeding season, it’s important to double check that your fences survived the summer storms and are in good working order. Check your water sources to make sure tanks are in working order or cattle have access to fresh water. Add an electric fence, if needed, to keep your bulls in and the neighbors’ bulls out.

Beef Daily

Written By

John Cothren, N.C. Cooperative ExtensionJohn CothrenCounty Extension Director, Wilkes & Interim CED, Ashe Call John Email John N.C. Cooperative Extension, Wilkes County Center
Updated on Jan 6, 2023
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