By the time producers get into the swing of breeding season, most of the outcome has already been written. Previous decisions and the prior calving season will influence the trajectory of your current breeding season. But, not all of it has been set. The next few weeks will determine which cows stay on track and which cows get too far behind. In this discussion, “cows” include both mature cows and first-calf heifers. Stay tuned for a blog about managing heifers in the future!
What's already determined
Body condition scores are important to measure at all times of the year. It’s one of the most valuable tools for a cattleman to assess and utilize for management decisions. Still, BCS at calving is the most critical as it is a large determinant of a cow’s ability to breed back. Research suggests that cows with good body condition scores will re-breed quicker and should have stronger pregnancy rates. Thinner cows will require a longer postpartum interval to get in the condition necessary to rebreed.
When cows calved also influences their ability to cycle early and breed successfully. Cows that calve late don’t have an adequate amount of time to get ready to breed again, which hurts their pregnancy rates and in turn the operation’s number of calves born and production rates. The postpartum interval normally lasts 40-60 days under good conditions. With defined breeding seasons, a late-calving cow may only have 30-40 days before their breeding season ends. This challenge is only intensified for first-calf heifers. In addition to recovering from calving, they are still growing and need to support lactation which lengthens their postpartum interval and will delay their rebreeding compared to mature cows. For mature cows and especially first-calf heifers their time of calving and postpartum interval will determine much of their breeding season outcome.
Influencing nutrition/energy intake
During breeding season providing a balanced and nutritious diet is important for the reproductive process. Working with a nutrition or feed salesmen to develop the right program for your cattle is key. While nutrient requirements and available ingredients may be similar across regions, there is no one-fits-all approach to providing adequate nutrition to your cows. Throughout breeding season, it is necessary to be confident in assessing body condition score and adjusting diets accordingly. Reproduction is a low biological priority, meaning that if nutrition is limited, breeding will suffer. This is especially true for first-calf heifers as they face nutritional demands of growth, lactation, and reproduction, leading to deficiencies. With this in mind, first-calf heifers require a higher plane of nutrition than mature cows. That’s why daily observation and communication with experts is invaluable in nutrition management.
Bull exposure
Making sure your bulls are covering cows is also essential. The bull must be physically capable, adequate in their scrotal circumference, and show libido. Making sure your bulls have passed breeding soundness exams and confirming semen quality are additional checks to make.
Stress, Movement & Handling: Several sources indicate and demonstrate that stress can reduce conception. Transporting or stressing cattle should be avoided during breeding season. Ensuring management practices that limit movement and extra handling should allow your cows to devote their energy to reproduction.
Recognize cows falling behind
During the breeding season, you may identify those cows falling behind and showing reduced reproductive fitness. Thin cows consistently show lower pregnancy rates than those with ideal BCS. It is harder for cows to breed back when they are too thin or experiencing weight loss. First-calf heifers are often found in this group, particularly if they lose body condition after calving. Additionally, cows that are not cycling or showing signs of estrus need to be identified. Recognizing these individuals earlier in the breeding season can help guide expectations and future decisions.
Thinking ahead
No doubt, this year’s challenges often reflect last year’s decisions. As discussed, the BCS of your cows at calving, the time at which they calved, and their resulting postpartum interval play a major role in their ability to re-breed. As you reflect and consider next steps, prioritize management decisions that will tighten the calving window such as using estrus synchronization and controlled breeding seasons. Carefully managing body condition before calving and during breeding season are key for future success. Finally, special emphasis should be placed on nutrition and observation of first-calf heifers.
You may not be able to change much during breeding season. But you can still influence how well your cows stay on track. Focusing on what is in your control should help position your cow herd for the most positive future.
About the Author
Olivia Shike is a student who works in beef production, research, and producer outreach as a University of Illinois Extension intern in the I-BELIEF program through the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. This article has been reviewed by Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Travis Meteer.