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OSU Extension BEEF Team

BEEF Cattle questions may be directed to the OSU Extension BEEF Team through Stephen Boyles or Stan Smith, Editor

You may subscribe to the weekly Ohio BEEF Cattle letter by sending an e-mail to smith.263@osu.edu

Previous issues of the BEEF Cattle letter

Issue # 633

April 22, 2009

Improving Reproduction Management, Part 2 - John Grimes, OSU Extension Educator, Highland County

Last week in the Ohio BEEF Cattle newsletter, we addressed improving reproductive management by discussing the impact of the timing of calving seasons on Ohio's cow-calf producers. Once a producer has determined what time of year is the best calving season for them, it is imperative that they get as many cows bred as possible in the shortest amount of time.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently released the results of a very important study of the nation's cow-calf producers. This study, the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), is designed to collect data on cattle health and management practices on cow-calf operations from across the country. The 2007-08 NAHMS Beef study was conducted in 24 states gathering information from operations representing 79.6% of the U.S. cow-calf operations and 87.8 % of the beef cows. Results from the 2007-08 NAHMS Beef study give us insight about producer's attitudes and management practices relating to reproduction.

A defined breeding season is a sound management practice that allows producers to devote more attention to animals during the calving season. In this study, a defined calving season was determined by removal of the bull from the female herd for at least 30 days. The survey indicated that over one-half of the operations (54.5%) - accounting for about one-third of beef cows (34.1%) - had no defined breeding season.

A short calving season allows for more intense monitoring of animals during calving and can result in a more uniform calf crop. For operations with one breeding season, a significant portion of the operations (26.2%) had their most recent breeding season last 64 days or less. Extending the breeding season an additional 21 days added another 12.7% of the operations. However, 61.1% of the operations indicated that they had a breeding season 85 days or more.

There are several reproductive technologies available to beef producers including practices such as semen evaluation, palpation, body condition scoring, artificial insemination, estrus synchronization, and others. The 2007-08 NAHMS beef study indicated that these practices are underutilized by all operations. Semen evaluation was the practice most frequently used by operations at 19.5% followed by palpation for pregnancy (18.0%), body condition scoring (14.3%), estrus synchronization (7.9%), and artificial insemination (7.6%). Utilization of these practices varied greatly by the size of the operation. In operations with 200 or more cows, 78.5% used at least one of the reproductive technologies listed, compared to 25.3% of the operations with less than 50 cows. For each of the reproductive technologies listed, the top- ranked reason given each time for not using a technology was labor/time.

I believe that the results of this study mirror the practices carried out by Ohio's cow-calf producers. What can we do to improve the reproductive efficiency of our beef herds? One thing is for sure, nothing will improve unless we are willing to make some basic changes in our management practices.

Regardless of the size and scope of your operation, I doubt you prefer that your breeding season and the resulting calving season should extend longer. The easiest practice that any producer can implement to improve reproductive performance is to shorten the calving season. All it takes is some discipline and perseverance to see the benefits of a shorter schedule. A shorter breeding season will probably result in more open cows in the short-term. However, this can be a long-term reproductive benefit for your herd. Females that are slower to breed or unable to conceive will be more quickly identified through a shorter breeding season and can be culled from the herd. Culling hard for poor reproductive performance will eventually result in a very fertile herd over time. You can love your wife, love your children, but don't love your cows! WARNING: The implementation of a shorter breeding season is significantly complicated by the presence of former show heifers in the herd owned by children! This author has vast experience with this situation.

Estrus synchronization has historically been used to enhance the use of artificial insemination. However, producers unwilling or unable to utilize artificial insemination can use estrus synchronization to improve reproductive performance in natural mating systems. Data from the University of Kentucky illustrates that estrus can be synchronized before a natural breeding season. In this trial, mature cows and 2-year-old cows approximately 65 days after calving were assigned to one of three treatments. The cows in the first group were not treated (CONT) and were exposed to natural service for 60 days. The cows in the second group (MGA) were fed the orally active progestin melengestrol acetate (MGA, .5 mg/hd/d) for 7 days and were exposed to natural service for 60 days beginning the day after MGA feeding ended. Cows in the third group (CIDR) had an EAZI-BREED CIDR device inserted for 7 days before being exposed to a 60-day natural service season. All bulls used in this experiment were mature and were subjected to breeding soundness exams approximately 30 days before the breeding season. Bull-to-cow ratios (BCR) ranged from 1:23 up to 1:42. Date of conception was determined using rectal palpation approximately 30 days after the end of the breeding season. The results of this experiment are illustrated in Table 1. More cows conceived and conceived earlier in the treated than in control groups. Treatments did not differ because of BCR.

Table 1. Effects of estrus synchronization prior to natural service on reproductive response in postpartum beef cows.

Those individuals willing to use estrus synchronization and artificial insemination have many options available to impact reproductive rates and potentially shorten the breeding season. Producer testimonials and surveys speak loud and clear that time and labor are the main reasons that artificial insemination is not a more widely used practice. Several universities have worked together to help perfect many different synchronization protocols to enable producers to more easily implement an artificial insemination program. Outlines of these protocols can be obtained through your local Extension office or in bull catalogs from major A.I. studs.

If a producer is willing to devote 10 days or less to an artificial insemination program, there are certainly viable options available. One of the more popular heat synchronization programs has been the "7 day CO-Synch + CIDR" program for observed heat and timed A.I. systems. Here is a basic outline of this program: Today you insert a CIDR and administer a shot of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Seven days later you remove the CIDR and administer a shot of prostaglandin (PGF). You can breed A.I. based on observed heat or utilize timed breeding at 60-72 hours following the administration of PGF. If you utilize timed breeding, administer another shot of GnRH at the time of breeding. Research involving over 3,000 cows in this program with a 60-72 hour timed breeding system resulted in average conception rates of 51-54%.

Modifications to the "7 day CO-Synch + CIDR" program have been recently investigated to determine if timed-AI pregnancy rates could be improved. Although similar in design to the 7 day program, the "5 day CO-Synch + CIDR" program pioneered at The Ohio State University by Dr. Mike Day and collaborators was demonstrated to be a more effective program for timed-AI in postpartum beef cows than the "7 day CO-Synch + CIDR" program. The primary differences between the two programs is that the "5 day program" features two days shorter use of the CIDR, a second shot of PGF 8-12 hours after the CIDR removal, and timed breeding at 72 hours after the first PGF shot.

The "5 day program" requires one additional trip through the chute. This extra trip through the chute can pay big rewards. Successful results have been observed by several institutions with the "5 day CO-Synch + CIDR" program in cows with pregnancy rates averaging 68.2% in 1,162 cows. Remember, this program requires an eight day commitment to artificial insemination. This would seem to be a natural fit for a producer wanting to add high quality, proven genetics and eventually shorten the length of the calving season.

Hopefully this discussion has given you some ideas that can be practically implemented in your operation to improving your reproduction management. This is a good time to remind you of one of my favorite definitions of insanity. It goes something like this: Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. You can't expect better success with reproduction in your herd without trying something different!

Forage Focus: Cut Feed Costs by Grazing Your Small Grains - Marvin Hall, Penn State Forage Specialist

Winter cereal crops such as wheat, barley, rye or triticale can usually provide grazing, silage and/or grain options. If these crops are used for spring grazing, certain management practices need to be modified from what is normally done for grain production.

Grazing Management: One acre of properly fertilized and managed small grain pasture should support one animal unit (feeding value of a 1000 lb. dry cow) on a limited grazing basis. Stocking rate and time of grazing will be somewhat determined by the intended use of the crop. If you are planning to take a silage or grain harvest, grazing should only be moderate. Heavy grazing can reduce grain yields.

Spring grazing may be started when they begin to grow. If a grain or silage crop is to be harvested, grazing should be discontinued when the plants start to grow erect just previous to jointing. Small grain plants will be injured by grazing at any time after their growing points are above the ground.

The use of temporary electric fencing should provide a practical way to manage these pastures. Rotational or strip grazing can allow for a higher carrying capacity because of improved forage utilization by reduced wastage and trampling.

Small grain pasture is lush, high in protein, and low in fiber early in the spring. Crude protein levels can range from 15% to 34%, making them an excellent protein supplement for many classes of livestock.

Animal Health Precautions: Grass tetany can occur when small grain forage is grazed in the spring by cows about to calve or those which have recently calved. Animals that are spring-grazing small grains should be supplemented with a mineral mix that contains magnesium. Lactating dairy cows that are grazing small grain pasture should receive an additional 1 ounce of magnesium oxide per cow per day.

There is a risk of nitrate poisoning if animals graze rapidly growing, recently fertilized small grain. Avoid this situation by applying N fertilizer well before the intended grazing period.

Although it is rare, bloat may also be a health risk when animals graze small grains. This most likely can occur when animals are first turned on small grain pasture in early spring and they gorge themselves with the lush forage. Bloat can be prevented by feeding some stored forage just before introducing the animals to the pasture.

Heat unit accumulations continue to accumulate in Ohio. Scouting should begin when heat unit accumulations reach between 250 - 300 heat units (HU). These levels have been reached in southern Ohio, and thus, growers in that region should begin scouting. Central and northern Ohio will reach these levels in the coming weeks. Remember that fields that have a south facing slope tend to warm up sooner and need to be checked for weevil earlier. As of April 20, southern locations in Ohio are now around 425 HU, central Ohio around 300, northwest and north central sites between 250 and 275, with northeast only around 160. We will continue to update heat unit accumulations in the coming weeks in the C.O.R.N. newsletter. See last week's C.O.R.N. newsletter on how to scout for alfalfa weevil in alfalfa. For more information on the weevil, see the OSU Alfalfa Weevil Fact Sheet http://ohioline.osu.edu/ent-fact/pdf/0032.pdf

Weekly Roberts Agricultural Commodity Market Report - Mike Roberts, Commodity Marketing Agent, Virginia Tech

LIVE CATTLE futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) finished off on Monday. The APR''09LC contract closed at $87.375/cwt; off $0.950/cwt and $0.10.cwt lower than a week ago. The AUG''09LC contract was down $1.925/cwt at $83.200/cwt; $0.100/cwt over last week and $1.975/cwt under last Monday''s close. DEC''09LC futures closed at $89.150/cwt; off $1.600/cwt and $1.725/cwt lower than my last report. Plunging stock prices, lower crude, and a stronger U.S. dollar pressured prices. Sell stops and other technical signals triggered chart-based selling. The USDA Cattle on Feed report issued last Friday is seen as neutral however heavier-weighted cattle placed in March depressed prices. The USDA 5-area price came in at $88.89/cwt last Friday. USDA early on Monday placed Choice Boxed Beef at $150.86/cwt, up $1.66/cwt and $10.68/cwt higher than this time last week. According to HedgersEdge.com average packer margins were $61.10/head over last week. The average processor margin was placed at a positive $11.95/head based on the average buy of $87.50/cwt vs. the average breakeven of $88.40/cwt. Feed buyers should consider buying more feed needs again this week.

FEEDER CATTLE at the CME closed down on Monday. The APR''09FC contract closed at $98.550 /cwt; off $0.625cwt and $0.400/cwt under last week. The April futures contract will expire on April 30. AUG''09FC futures finished at $100.700/cwt; down $1.250/cwt and $0.775/cwt lower than last report. Feeders followed all the other commodity pits; and for much the same reasons. Cash feeders were the only bright spot on the day. In Oklahoma City where the market is closely watched feeders were $1- $3/cwt over last week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index for April 16 was placed at $97.92/cwt; up $0.03/cwt. It should still pay to hold feeders to heavier weights if you have the grass and good growing conditions.

Visit the OSU Beef Team calendar of meetings and upcoming events

BEEF Cattle is a weekly publication of Ohio State University Extension in Fairfield County and the OSU Beef Team. Contributors include members of the Beef Team and other beef cattle specialists and economists from across the U.S.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension. TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868

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