Before “tractor fever” takes over, here are some key herd management practices that need to be done in April.
1. Breeding soundness exams. All bulls, even if they were recently purchased as “satisfactory breeders,” need a complete breeding soundness exam 30 to 60 days before turnout.
If you are in a trichomoniasis-positive state, be sure this test is part of your standard breeding soundness exam for non-virgin bulls. If you believe your herd to be low-risk for trich, multiple samples can be pooled together to reduce costs.
2. Pre-breeding vaccinations. In addition to breeding soundness exams, pre-breeding vaccinations are one of the most overlooked/forgotten practices in spring-calving herds that result in poor pregnancy rates in the fall. Remember, these vaccinations need to be administered at least 30 days prior to initiation of breeding.
3. Reproductive tract scoring and pelvic exams for heifers. Heifer pregnancy and calving ease expected progeny differences have reduced the implementation of these exams over the last couple of decades. However, I still contend this is one of the better returns on investment for the operation when coupled with those expected progeny differences.
Phenotypic identification and removal of heifers likely to be poor breeders or experience dystocia before the breeding season saves a lot of wasted time and money, and prevents a lot of headaches down the road.
4. Herbicide planning for cover crops. It is important for livestock producers to consider restrictions on labels of herbicides used earlier in the growing season if they intend to use the cover crop as a forage source.
In particular, many herbicides used in soybean prohibit grazing or feeding soybean forage, hay or straw, which prohibits using cover crops established in those fields for feed.
As always, consult with the team of experts you have assembled – including your beef extension specialist, nutritionist, veterinarian and agronomist – and visit www.iowabeefcenter.org for all things beef. 
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Patrick Gunn
- Assistant Professor of Animal Science
- Iowa State University
- Email Patrick Gunn
