Breedback - Articles

Selecting for and improving cow longevity

Keeping productive cows in your herd as long as possible is a key component of long-term ranch profitability. Here are a few management factors that contribute to your cows’ longevity.

September 10, 2024

Travis Mulliniks

Developing replacement heifers is one of the most expensive and complex management decisions for a cow-calf producer and also has long-term implications for profitability.

Midwest/North: Why are my cows open?

August 22, 2024

Travis Meteer

Having some open cows is normal in a 60- to 90-day breeding season. However, if the number of open cows is excessive (greater than 6% to 10%), evaluation of management, nutrition and herd health needs to take place.

Prebiotic tools for heifer development

To make sure replacement females remain capable of performing at their reproductive and genetic best, gut health and immune strength should be top of mind.

July 5, 2024

Chris Cassady

Immediate income opportunities incentivize producers to sell their weaned calves, meaning a greater number of heifers are destined for the cattle feeding sector. Collectively, the cow herd hasn’t expanded as quickly as projected, ushering in amazing value for the replacement female.

Optimizing early-gestation nutrition in beef cattle

Supplying your herd with the right balance of calories, minerals and vitamins during breeding and early gestation can have major impacts on calf health and your operation’s overall profitability.

June 10, 2024

Cadra Krueger

Early gestation is a critical period in the cattle reproductive cycle, laying the foundation for the health, productivity and profitability of both the cow and the developing fetus.

Cow-calf rumen health: The foundation for health and performance

Maintaining a healthy rumen in the cow is the first step to jump-starting calf health, optimizing maternal performance and capitalizing on feed savings.

May 8, 2024

Craig Belknap

Rumen health is the cornerstone of a successful cow-calf operation, impacting calf health, maternal performance, feed utilization and, ultimately, economic profitability.

[Podcast] 2024 forage outlook and monensin for cows and heifers – with Katie Raver and Frank White

April 26, 2024

For the first time, we welcome Progressive Forage’s Joy Hendrix to the podcast studio as she visits with Katie Raver from Rock River Laboratory for a regional analysis of forage quality and what to keep in mind for the 2024 growing season. Then Tyrell and Elanco’s Frank White discuss the results of a recent study analyzing the benefits of monensin products in a cow-calf setting. Finally, don’t miss out on an absolutely riveting conversation on the perils of importing exotic wildlife testicles from overseas.

Preventing early embryonic losses

To avoid the negative economic effects of early embryonic loss in the cow herd, producers should carefully consider stressors such as vaccination, nutrition and transportation.

April 15, 2024

Erika Lundy-Woolfolk

Early embryonic loss is defined as a loss within the first 42 days of pregnancy and has been reported to impact between 20% and 40% of pregnancies in beef cattle.

Cows without crowns

Spring-calving season is an important time for culling decisions. Cows that have been treated well but lack in performance should be evaluated at this time.

February 15, 2024

Christine Gelley

Cows that arrive on the farm with a high price tag have a tendency to be crowned as queens before they prove themselves in the system. Hopefully, they are worth that special treatment and they pay for themselves quickly, but it takes time to find out.

Management strategies for young cows

Managing young cows differently from mature cows – from nutrition to breeding practices – can help set them up for success in the herd.

February 6, 2024

John B. Hall

Young cows in the cow-calf operation are the genetic future of the herd and represent a large economic investment. Unfortunately, young cows leave the herd at a higher rate than other age categories.