Tag: soundness

How to have the most productive breeding season

How to have the most productive breeding seasonBreeding season preparations are crucial for any cow/calf producer’s bottom line. Their steps will determine if they will have a good calf crop. Good quality calves to sell are the defining factor between a successful and a not successful rancher.

As a cow/calf producer, you hold the key to a successful breeding season. Your management decisions before and during the calving season are crucial. The steps you take now will determine whether you start the season on the right footing or find yourself playing catch-up. Remember, your actions directly impact the health and productivity of your herd.

For a cow to produce a calf every year, she must be rebred 80 days after she has calved. This 80-day timeline is crucial because it takes into account the cow’s reproductive cycle. The 80 days may not seem like a short time, but you must 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 three things that you can look at to improve your chances of having a large calf crop.

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5 simple tips on actually managing your bulls

5 simple tips on actually managing your bullsBreeding season is a crucial time on the ranch. We begin with the hope of making a new calf crop to keep the ranch going. In order to have a good calf crop, you will need to ensure that all, or at least 90%, of your cows will be bred.

While many focus on getting their cows ready for this time of year, bringing the bulls you have ready is also a good idea. After all, 50% of your potential calves’ genetics comes from just one animal, the bull.

With the critical role they will play, you may be wondering how you can go about making sure that he will be ready to service the cows. Well, here are five tips that you can follow to do just that.

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How to care for your bulls in the offseason

How to care for your bulls in the offseasonThe bulls in your herd need as much care and attention during this time of year as your cows. You must take steps during this time to ensure they are ready for the next breeding season. It is always a good idea to get started now so you will have plenty of time to make adjustments.

Though their job for the year may be done, their management does not end. Where and how you will keep bulls over the winter months should be considered. It is also a good idea to look at your operation and decide if even keeping him or replacing him is needed.

What you do during this time can impact the readiness of your spring breeding season. If the bull is not in the right shape, he will not be servicing the cows. If the cows are not getting serviced, then that means that next year’s calf crop will be limited. Here are some things that you can do to make sure that he is ready to go.

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The simple way of keeping trichomoniasis out of your herd

The simple way of keeping trichomoniasis out of your herdTrich, or the more scientific name Trichomoniasis, is a severe economic problem for cattle producers. Some of the problems it can cause are a reduced calf crop and lower weaning weights. It can cause this because it makes your breeding cows infertile and possibly causes a more extended breeding season.

But not to worry, all is not lost. Trichomoniasis may seem like a devastating disease, but you can do things to prevent it from showing up. You can take steps to prevent Trich from even showing up in the first place. To that end, here are a few things you should consider:

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How to get the most out of breeding season

How to get the most out of breeding seasonBreeding season preparations are crucial for any cow/calf producer’s bottom line. Their steps will determine if they will have a good calf crop. Good quality calves to sell are 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 you take now will determine if you will be going into the season on the right footing or if you have to play catch up (which will be more expensive in the end).

For a cow to produce a calf every year, she must be rebred 80 days after she has calved. The 80 days may not seem like a short time, but you must 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 three things that you can look at to improve your chances of having a large calf crop.

Continue reading

How to actually manage your bulls with 5 simple tips

How to actually manage your bulls with 5 simple tipsBreeding season is a very important time on the ranch. We begin with the hope of making a new calf crop to keep the ranch going. In order to have a good calf crop, you will need to make sure that all, or at least 90%, of your cows, will be bred.

While many focus on getting their cows ready for this time of year it is also a good idea to get the bulls that you have ready too. After all, 50% of the genetics that each of your potential calves will have comes from just one animal, the bull.

With the important role, they will play you may be wondering just how you can go about making sure that he will be ready to service the cows. Well here are 5 tips that you can follow to do just that.

Continue reading

5 tips to prepare bulls for breeding season

5 tips to prepare bulls for breeding seasonBreeding season is a very important time on the ranch. We begin with the hope of making the new calf crop to keep the ranch going. In order to have a good calf crop, you will need to make sure that all, or at least 90%, of your cows will be bred.

While many focus on getting their cows ready for this time of year it is also a good idea to get the bulls that you have ready too. After all. 50% of the genetics that each of your potential calves will have comes from just one animal, the bull.

With the important role they will play you may be wondering just how you can go about making sure that he will be ready to service the cows. Well here are 5 tips that you can follow to do just that.

Continue reading