Breeding Back Better

This week our special guest will be Dean Kreager from Ohio State Extension to talk about "Getting Cows Bred Back”. Reproductive efficiency has long been recognized as the most economically important aspect of commercial beef production. Numerous research studies have shown that reproduction is several times more important than growth or carcass traits. Simply put, genetic superiority in any trait doesn’t matter if the beef female doesn’t get bred and deliver a live calf for the producer. Today’s cow-calf producers place high production demands on their beef cows for them to remain in the herd. Producers expect cows to calve without difficulty, provide enough colostrum and milk for a rapidly growing calf, come in heat quickly after calving and conceive early in the breeding season. Dean is an extension educator for Ohio State University Extension and he will share some insights and management practices to get cows bread back sooner, a higher percentage of the herd bread back within 60 days and improve profitability on the farm.