Breeding season preparations are a very important task for any cow/calf producer’s bottom line. The steps that they take now will determine if they will have a good calf crop or not. Having good quality calves to sell is the defining factor between a successful and a not successful rancher.
Creating a successful breeding season starts with making the right management decisions before and during the calving season. The steps that you take now will determine if you will be going into the season on the right footing or you having to play catch up (which will be more expensive in the end).
In order for a cow to produce a calf every year she will need to be rebred 80 days after she has calved. Now, this may not seem like that short of a time but you will have to remember that she will not be going into estrus for at least 30 days after that calf is born so your window is a little shorter.
So what can you do to prepare for an outstanding breeding season? Well here are 3 things that you can look at to improve your chances of having a large calf crop.
Nutrition
The first step in getting ready for any breeding season is getting your nutrition program on point. Your cows will have a large nutritional requirement with growing a calf as well as providing milk for it once it is born. If you are dealing with first or second calf heifers this requirement is even higher because she will still be growing also.
Just how much will her nutritional requirements change during this time you may ask, well. Cows will need 25% more energy and 41% more protein during the time after calving. If you are lucky enough to have good quality forages they will be adequate to meet these increased demands but honestly, how often does everything work perfectly in ranching?
If her nutritional demands are not being fully met then other areas will be affected such as breeding. Things like her body’s maintenance will take priority over reproduction. Cows that lose weight between calving and breeding season will be delayed in their 1st estrus.
It is easier to have them at a good BCS, usually at a 5 or 6, at calving then maintain it till breeding season. Since she will have a nursing a calf at this time any additional feed that you provide here will be mostly going to milk production rather than improving her BCS.
It is also important to not neglect their mineral needs at this time because they will require more of them. Providing a balanced mineral supplement will go a long way in meeting their needs.
Breeding Season Vaccinations
Cowherd vaccinations are a major component of a complete herd health program. In order for your cows to perform at their best they will need to be in perfect health.
When you vaccinate your cows it is usually for 3 reasons: (1) to prevent any diseases in your cows, (2) to protect the newborn calf from diseases via the colostrum, and (3) to protect the unborn calf from any diseases that may cause abortion.
Depending on where you are located will determine which vaccinations you will be needing to administer but here is a good general guideline to follow:
Cows and Bulls
- A long-acting vaccine that includes at least IBR and BVD
- Long-acting Vibrio/Lepto vaccine
- De-wormer
- 7-way clostridia booster (optional)
- For bulls you will need a Trich booster
- Any other vaccines that are necessary for your area (talk with your local veterinarian)
Replacement heifers (pre-breeding)
- Modified-live IBR, BVD, PI3, and BRSV
- Vibrio and 5-way lepto
- De-wormer
- 7-way clostridia booster (optional)
- Brucellosis (this can be optional and must be given by an accredited veterinarian before 1 year of age)
- Other vaccines that are necessary for your area
Pre-breeding vaccines should be given 14-30 days before the start of the breeding season. This will give them enough time to take effect but also not be completely out of their system.
If you will be using heifers and/or yearling bulls then you will need to administer the vaccines a little earlier than the rest of them. Both doses should be given 21 to 30 days apart with the second dose administered at the 14-30 day window.
Breeding season examinations
If it is feasible for you to do so doing a reproductive examination on your heifers as well as all of your bulls will go a long way in preparing for the breeding season. Performing these tests will let you know if they will do the task that you are needing them to do. Depending on which one you are testing will mean which type of examination you will need to do.
Bulls
A breeding soundness exam should be done 30-60 days before breeding. This will give you enough time to make any adjustments if needed.
During this exam your vet will check for things like the soundness of his legs and his fertility. Checking his soundness will tell you if he will be able to travel your pasture and breed the cows that he needs to. The fertility check will include both a sperm count and a scrotal circumference check. Your vet will also palpate this area to make sure there are no abnormal growths that could affect his fertility.
Course there are other steps to take in preparing a bull for the breeding season. If you would like to read more check out one of my previous posts “5 tips to prepare bulls for breeding season”.
Heifers
Courtesy of Beef Improvement Federation
One of the tried and true methods of reproductive examinations for heifers is a pelvic area measurement. Your heifers should have their pelvic areas measured to determine breed ability.
This particular test is also very useful in a management sense in determining potential culls. Ones with a pelvic area less than 140-150 sq. cm at yearling age or 150-170 sq. cm at breeding should be culled.
Another test that you can consider is called reproductive tract scoring which was developed by Colorado State University. There are many universities that have considered this one to be a very effective one to use.
In this test the ovaries and uterus are palpated much like in a pregnancy exam but with a little difference. The difference is the development of these organs is noted and put on a scale of 1-5.
Heifers at a 4 or 5 on this scale are ready for breeding and the ones at a 1 or 2 should be considered for culling.
