With more than 50% of beef operations done calving (USDA, 2020), the time is nearing to begin producing next year’s calf crop. Whether you are going to be using artificial insemination or turning out bulls for natural service, planning plays an essential role in a successful breeding season.
Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination brings high quality genetics chute side for any cattlemen. Buying semen by the unit to plan unique mating decisions for each cow and or heifer is an exciting opportunity to create the next best genetics for the herd. Take time to make mating decisions that will complement herd goals. Consult with herd advisors and breed representatives to find the right genetics to fit your resources and herd needs. Once that’s done, order the semen and breeding supplies so it’s all ready in the barn before cattle start showing estrus. In addition, start with clean equipment and a full nitrogen tank. Print out this Artificial Insemination Checklist to prepare for breeding day.
If you plan to use estrus synchronization, creating a protocol and following the steps closely so that products get administered at the right time is key. Create your own using the Estrus Synch Calculator for free through the Beef Reproduction Task Force or give us a call to help with this.
Natural Service
Turn out day should not be the first time we look at bulls all winter so take time to examine them closely 60 to 90 days before the breeding season. Start with evaluating body condition score and adjust rations to get bulls into a score of 5 to 6 (9-point scale) looking for only 1 to 0 outlined ribs. They need to be in good condition to physically cover 5% of cows that could come in heat on one day in an actively cycling herd. Schedule breeding soundness exams with your veterinarian to get a physical and semen quality evaluation done. Testing semen assures there was no unseen damage to the bull over the winter and sperm is satisfactory. If the semen is unsatisfactory such as low motility or poor morphology, bulls can be retested in two weeks or more. The process of making sperm takes 60 days, so a problem that is showing up today, was due to an ailment almost two months ago. Ongoing sperm production will continually clear semen from the system and so retesting at a later can change the result. Plan enough time to find a replacement bull if needed. It is also critical to ensure there are enough bulls available to properly service the cow herd, with a general guideline of one mature, fertile bull for every 25 to 30 cows under natural service. This ratio may need to be adjusted based on pasture size, terrain, and breeding season length, as larger pastures or shorter breeding windows place greater demand on each bull. Bull age and experience also play an important role, as yearling bulls typically require lower cow-to-bull ratios and may need to be grouped with mature bulls to ensure adequate coverage and reduce breeding stress. For more information on breeding soundness exams, listen to the Cattle HQ podcast episode with Dr. Russ Daly (Link Cattle HQ episode).
Herd Health
Call up your herd vet to plan spring turn out shots for calves and prebreeding vaccinations for the cowherd. Consider a vaccination plan that will protect the herd from infections and reproductive diseases without negatively affecting the reproductive system and breeding season success. Follow label directions for exact timing and booster accordingly so the program is specific to your herds disease risk. Vaccine day is also a good time to check teeth of older or thin cows that might lose condition on grass and could potentially be culled or fed in a confinement setting. Vaccines are best to administer a minimum of 30 days before the breeding season but dewormers and fly control can be delayed until after turnout to grass so the animals are protected during peak forage growth and fly season.
These topics and more are also covered in chapters of the Beef: Best Management Practices for Cow-Calf Production.
