Reproduction

Weaning is an important management tool that cow-calf producers should use to increase the success and profitability of their operations.

There are advantages and disadvantages to every calving season; producers need to figure out what works best for their own climate and management system.

Circle A Ranch is a 24,000-acre, 7,000-head operation located in Iberia, Missouri. With the motto of “Quality Beef is Our Business,” Circle A makes raising premium beef a priority. With raising quality beef comes something we're all familiar with: crossbreeding.

As a producer, a veterinarian is someone you can call to help with emergency situations and yearly herd health decisions like vaccinations and parasite control. But with years of school and training, he or she can do much more, especially in the field of reproduction. From heifer development to pregnancy diagnosis, a veterinarian can provide reproductive services to your operation that will likely yield you a higher profit margin.

The beef world seems to love acronyms and initialism. ADG, BCS, RFI, RTS, A.I., ET … the list goes on and on. One set of letters I wish we talked more about is ROI: return on investment.

Pregnancies matter. Reproductive efficiency is a priority in beef herds. If producers depend on natural service, then bulls contribute to at least half of reproduction and at least as much to the future of the cow herd through his daughters.