Number of Bones in Beef Cattle
Cattle reproduction has a huge impact on the profitability of any beef enterprise. On this page, learn all there is to know about beef cattle gestation, reproduction, crossbreeding, and artificial insemination. Find useful tips on choosing the right bull, storing and handling frozen semen, and enhancing reproduction through dietary fat.
Beef Cattle Reproduction Management – Crossbreeding and AI
Adequate nutrition and healthcare are an essential part of a beef cattle reproductive plan. Genetic practices, while frequently overlooked, are of equal importance. If executed correctly, practices such as breed selection, crossbreeding, and artificial insemination (AI) can improve herd efficiency and productivity.
Breed Selection and Crossbreeding
In the beef industry, crossbreeding cattle provides two main benefits – combining the strengths of various breeds and taking advantage of heterosis.
Today, there is a wide variety of beef cattle breeds and each has its unique traits that allow them to excel in different environments. When selecting a bull, consider your goals and choose an animal that has the potential to improve your operation where needed.
Popular types of beef cattle include Angus, Simmental, Charolais, Salers, and Gelbvieh. Note that genetically different breeds will typically exhibit more heterosis than breeds that are genetically similar.
Artificial Insemination in Cattle
Artificial insemination (AI) in cattle production is among the most effective ways to boost productivity. AI in commercial beef herds provides a number of advantages, such as using superior genetics, producing replacement heifers, and increasing growth performance.
Artificial insemination can bring positive changes to crossbreeding programs, as well. By utilizing AI, beef operations can avoid inbreeding and capture additional heterosis.
Heat Detection and Infertility Issues
When implementing a reproduction plan, efficient heat detection and timely insemination are key. Failing to identify cows on heat – or timing the insemination improperly – can lead to an extended period between calving and additional costs.
To successfully detect heat, producers need to have a good understanding of the estrous cycle. This will help recognize heat signs and see how they fit with other behavioral signs throughout the cycle.
Sometimes, however, cows won't breed despite accurate heat detection. This can be due to many reasons, such as handling bull semen incorrectly, experiencing weather changes, or encountering reproductive issues.
Infertility Problems in Beef Cattle
Poor nutrition is one of the main causes of reproductive difficulties in cattle. Other factors include stress, genetics, incorrect insemination technique, bad body condition, improper drugs/hormones usage, and certain diseases.
Beef Cow Gestation and Calving
Cattle gestation length can vary based on breed, body condition, age, and sex. Typically, gestation ranges between 279 and 287 days.
Calving progresses differently for different cows. During the preparation phase, cows may show signs such as reduced appetite, relaxed pelvic ligaments, a dip between the pin bones and tailhead, and straining. Standard deliveries usually take 30 minutes to an hour. Heifers, however, may take up to 3-4 hours. Check out our resources on calving and calving season preparation.
Immediately after calving, as well as 60 days before, adjusting and meeting your herd's nutritional needs is crucial. This plays a vital role in the diet of the newborn calves and can directly affect mortality and growth rates.
Educational Resources
While it can be a challenging task, maintaining high reproduction rates is critical for profitable beef cattle production. Take the first step by building a reproductive plan and learning more about cow genetics.
For additional information on beef cattle, check out Penn State's articles, workshops, and online courses.
Videos Using estrous synchronization as an effective time management tool in beef production. More
Articles Over the last 3 years, beef semen sales have nearly tripled, due to increased beef on dairy matings. But, not all beef x dairy crossbred cattle meet expectations. Penn State is investigating the optimal beef genetics for crossbreds calves. More
Workshops Learn how to improve your calving season for better profitability and sustainability. More
Workshops Learn how to set up beef cows and calves for a successful fall weaning and winter production! More
Articles Over the last 2 years, beef semen sales grew by 128%, due to increased beef on dairy matings. But, not all beef x dairy crossbred cattle meet expectations. Penn State is investigating the optimal beef genetics for crossbreds calves. More
Videos In recent years, the use of beef semen to breed dairy cows has increased at a dramatic rate. This video will explore a research program designed to investigate the outcomes of those crossbred matings, the calves. More
Webinars Free
Learn about crossbreeding beef and dairy cows! More
Articles Management strategies to insure replacement heifers have the best opportunity to succeed in production. More
Articles EPD accuracy is improved if DNA is available. These calculations are known as a Genomic-enhanced EPD (GE-EPD). This article will walk you through how to use EPDs to improve your beef herd. More
Articles What do you want to achieve with an estrus synchronization program and what methods will you utilize? More
Articles Selecting beef bulls based on EPDs for carcass traits may be one of the first steps necessary to achieve acceptable results in a beef on dairy crossbreeding program. More
Workshops Update meeting for cow and calf management and beef production. More
Free
Looking at genetics and other factors to build your beef herd. Webinar by Dr. Dan Kniffen More
Online Courses $139.00
This online course about raising beef cattle covers breeds, establishing facilities, nutrition and reproduction, and marketing and finances. More
Videos This video will give helpful information for producers to use as they fine tune their heat detection skills. More
Articles An AI program is needed to remain competitive for the sale of breeding stock and to improve traits of economic importance in these herds. More
Articles This article covers proper semen tank management, thawing of semen, insemination of synchronized groups, and additional pointers. More
Articles Reproduction is the most influential factor contributing to the profitability of a cow calf producer. More
Articles The benefits of crossbreeding systems in the beef sector have been extensively researched over the years and they are as relevant and important today as ever. More
Articles Evidence suggests that the addition of limited fat supplements to the diet of beef cows prior to breeding will enhance reproduction. More
Articles The key to successful management in a cow herd is being able to plan health, feeding, and marketing programs that will be effective and efficient. More
Articles Recent studies at Penn State have shown that 20-25% of veal and dairy-beef calves do not receive colostrum prior to sale. More
Articles After baling hay and fighting snow to feed the cows, a dead calf can be a frustrating and costly result. Preparation and timely action will help make a successful calving season. More
Articles Early weaning calves will be an effective management tool for many breeders and will improve subsequent performance of the cow herd. More
Articles There are many advantages to green grass calving when compared to late winter early spring calving. More
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Source: https://extension.psu.edu/animals-and-livestock/beef-cattle/reproduction-and-genetics