Page 13 - MWC 04-22-2021s

The Midwest Cattleman · April 22, 2021 · P13
Selecting an Optimum Breeding Season Length

By Joslyn Beard, Livestock Specialist, University of Arizona, Kacie McCarthy, UNL Cow-Calf Specialist, and Travis Mulliniks, UNL
Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Range Production System
Decisions in livestock pro- breeding season (i.e., 45-day in the first 21 days of a calv- performance and potentially
duction are never simple, but breeding season or less), thus ing season results in heavier selling more open cull cows.
rather complex. Each decision producing a shortened calv- weighing calves at weaning Following the traditional
or change in management re- ing season, provides a more and increases her chance to weaning time frame of being
sults in multiple changes or concentrated monitoring pe- cycle back prior to the next in the fall, market prices for
outcomes downstream of the riod during calving, and ul- breeding season. On the other cull cows are going to be lower
resulting change. One exam- timately produces more uni- hand, a shortened breeding when sold in the fall. There-
ple of this would be changing form and heavier calves. For season has its disadvantag- fore, producers may want to
breeding season length. The instance, a cow calving with- es related to reproductive take advantage of seasonal
duration of breeding market trends and
season is often dis- consider holding culls
cussed with two pro- until market prices
duction goals in mind, are higher, which is
1) creating a consis- typically during the
tent calf crop and 2) spring months. An-
increasing pounds of other option with-
weaned calf. Both of in this model to in-
which can be done by crease value in cull
having a shorter breed- cows would be re-
ing season and then breeding open cows
shortened calving peri- for a fall calving sea-
od, which is a positive son. A study done at
and beneficial goal and UNL reported that
change. However, does rebreeding open cows
a shortened breeding and selling in April
season optimize the en- rather than open cull
tire production system? Each decision or change in management in a livestock production system results in multiple changes or
Maintaining a short outcomes downstream of the resulting change. Photo by Troy Walz. continued on page 22

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