Page 31 - MWC 3-9-2023s

Plan Early for Breeding Your Beef Cattle
The Midwest Cattleman · March 9, 2023 · P31

By Dean Kreager, Ohio State University Extension
How many times have you ing. The breeding soundness able semen charac-
heard that it’s never too early exam evaluates semen quali- teristics. For less
to start planning? Look at all ty of a bull. These exams are than $100, catching
the things we spend a lot of valuable but underutilized. a potential problem
time planning for that quick- National statistics show that before it happens
ly go by and when the event is less than 20% of farms with can save your calv-
over, we have little to show for fewer than 50 cows utilize ing season. From the
our efforts. Don’t our breed- this exam. While this test example above, that
ing programs deserve more does not guarantee pregnan- is just the difference
attention to details? If we are cies it will alert you to bulls
not able to get live calves on that have poor or question- continued on page 35
the ground in a timely fash-
ion, we miss the opportunity
to earn money.
A successful breeding sea-
son will provide calves born
early in the calving season.
This maximizes the pounds of
calf at weaning time as well
as improves the likelihood
that the cows will breed back
early the next year. At wean-
ing time in today’s market, a
calf that is 30 days younger
will weigh about 60 pounds
less. This will amount to a
lost value of around $75 to
$100 per feeder calf. The
breeding season also provides
the opportunity to improve
the genetic base in your herd
through selection of AI Sires
or natural service bulls that
can improve weaknesses in
your herd.
Whether you start breed-
ing in 2 months or 5 months,
the time will be here before
you know it. Consider the fol-
lowing areas in your plans.

Sire Selection
Look at your goals for the
calves that will be born. Do
you need replacement fe-
males, maximum growth, car-
cass value or is there some-
thing else you are looking
for? Use the tools available to
maximize your genetic poten-
tial. EPD’s are a great tool to
select sires that will best help
you meet your goals. If these
EPD’s are enhanced by ge-
nomic testing the accuracy is
greatly improved. The same
principles hold true whether
you are selecting a new herd
sire for natural service or
frozen semen for AI service.
Start early to give yourself
enough time to locate a bull or
have frozen semen delivered.

Breeding Soundness
Exam
Over 90% of beef herds rely
on natural service for breed-