Beef Producers Learn Value Of Timed Breeding Of Cows; Uniform, High-Value Calves Result


B cial JOPLIN, MO.


reeding beef cows by appointment on one day brings a shorter calving season and a uniform crop of high-quality calves.


“Existing technology is on the shelf and ready to


use,” David Patterson, University of Missouri beef reproduction specialist, told cattle producers at a conference in Joplin. The benefits are less labor for the use of artifi- insemination (AI). Also, premium-quality


calves are worth more money at market. “The technology works,” Patterson said. It can


help meet increasing demand for high-quality beef, domestic and global. “This is an opportunity to add value to Missouri


beef herds,” he said. “We just need to see wider use of what we have.” Research on timed breeding has been underway


at MU Thompson Farm, Spickard, Mo., for 15 years. The results were farm-tested on 73 herds across the state. The MU researchers developed


protocols for Show-Me-Select Re- placement Heifers. The heifer program has been adopted statewide, with both spring and fall sales of bred heifers. Now the heifer program in-


cludes a Tier Two phase that re- sults in high-quality steers for feedlots. Fixed-time AI protocols consis-


tently average 62 percent of the cows bred on the first day of the breeding season. Timed breeding of a herd on one


day produces a more uniform calf crop. In several farm herds bred with fixed-time AI, 65 percent of the calves were born in the first 15 days of the calving season. In three weeks, 70 percent of the calves were born. “The first objection we hear is that


producers fear all calves will be born on the same day,” Patterson said. But not all pregnancies are the same length. In a herd of 100 cows, about 12 calves will be born on the peak calv- ing day. “That doesn’t strain most operations,”


Patterson


said. “In fact, most pro- ducers report they give more attention to grouped calves.” A major advance in the


heifer program was use of calving-ease genetics to cut death losses at birth. Losses are cut in both calves and heifers. Calving ease and a uni-


form calf crop get a lot of attention, Patterson said. But a big advantage most often overlooked is higher- quality calves. With AI breeding, the best sires in a breed can be used by any producer. Timed AI allows herd


owners to add value to what they are already pro- ducing, Patterson said. With AI breeding, it is pos- sible to stack genetics. Both calving ease and growth genetics can be achieved, for example.


“We are making rapid strides in genetics,” he added.


“It is time more producers overcome their reluctance to try new technology. Whether you are selling mar- ket steers or quality replacement heifers, protocols are available.” Thompson Farm sales show the added value. The


herd won first place the last two years in the Angus Source Carcass Challenge, topping all feedlots in the Central Region in the second quarter. MU Thompson Farm sold 189 steers from fixed-


time-AI cows that graded 31 percent USDA Prime and 96 percent Choice and Certified Angus Beef or better. In comparison, the U.S. Prime grade average at all


packing plants is 3 percent. From the Thompson Farm herd, steers that were


bred natural-service by cleanup bulls on cows that did not conceive from AI had a 15 percent rate of Prime grade. “That shows the influence of the longtime genetic


improvement in that cow herd,” Patterson said. Also, it shows another hidden benefit of fixed-time


AI with high-accuracy sires. “One research aim at Thompson Farm has been


to produce premium quality for the white-table- cloth restaurants,” Patterson said. “That is where premium prices are paid for beef. “Certified Angus Beef tells us there is a growing


demand for high-quality beef. The question be- comes, ‘Will Missouri beef producers respond and double the supply of Prime beef to meet that de- mand?’” The two-day conference addressed all aspects,


from breeding to marketing, of high-quality beef. The program is now called “The Missouri Recipe.” Western producers can hear similar talks Sept.


30 and Oct. 1 in Boise, Idaho. The program and registration for the Northwest meeting is on the MU Conference Office website at http://mu- conf.missouri.edu/arsbc-northwest/. Printed proceedings from the Joplin conference


can be purchased for $25. For information on or- dering, send email to muconf6@missouri.edu. ∆


Forage Nitrate Management Workshop In Marshfield Oct. 27


Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Webster County Extension Center, 800 S. Mar- shall St. (S. Highway A), in Marshfield. Program participants will learn which


U


forages and feed sources can accumu- late nitrates, what conditions promote accumulations, symptoms and treat- ment of cattle that have consumed high- nitrate feeds, and management options for forages and cattle. “The drought this summer has in-


creased the likelihood of nitrate accu- mulations in several forages and feed sources such as johnsongrass and


MARSHFIELD, MO.


niversity of Missouri Extension is offering a “Forage Nitrate Work- shop” from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,


silage, and the weather conditions in some areas during early September may have increased the chances for prussic acid,” said Brie Menjoulet, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Ex- tension. Examples of forage test results will be


used during the workshop, and partici- pants are encouraged to bring their test results if they would like help with in- terpretation.


“The majority of the forage samples


submitted this summer tested high for nitrates. Safe feeding strategies will be necessary as producers begin to feed hay this winter,” said Dona Goede, a live- stock specialist with University of Mis-


souri Extension, who will also be in- structing at the workshop. Testing for forage nitrate levels is avail-


able through several private laboratories and universities. Hay probes are avail- able for check-out at the Webster County Extension Center for anyone in- terested in testing their hay. There is no cost for the workshop, but


pre-registration is required by Tuesday, Oct. 26, and, due to room capacity, is limited to the first 45 registrants.


To pre-register, make special arrange-


ment due to a disability, or for more in- formation, contact the Webster County Extension Center at 417-859-2044 or by email at websterco@missouri.edu.


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