the
BEEFMASTER Pay Weight
a publication dedicated to serving commercial cattlemen and produced by Beefmaster Breeders United FALL 2016
Vol. 2, No. 2
www.beefmasters.org
Developing Beef Bulls: Simplified
By Shane Gadberry, Ph.D. and Jeremy Powell, D.V.M. - University of Arkansas Developing beef bulls can be both challenging and rewarding. Sale of breeding age bulls is often a significant source of revenue for seedstock producers. A comprehensive bull development program addresses selection and breeding strategies that will target the type of bull that fits production and marketing conditions. Nutrition, health and management strategies are also important components of bull development programs. It is important from a profitability standpoint to keep development costs at acceptable levels while maintaining an effective development program. The product of a successful development program is healthy, well-grown bulls that are ready to serve as effective herd sires.
Goals for a Bull Development Program A good bull development program starts with good planning. Begin by evaluating resources (time, capital, land, labor, facilities, forages, etc.) required to develop a reasonable plan for developing young bulls. A proper bull development program involves cost management and a welldesigned nutrition and herd health program. Goals for a bull development program should include: • Design breeding programs to produce high-quality bulls. • Develop selection criteria for placing weaned bulls in a development program. • Keep costs to a reasonable level without cutting corners.
• Develop forage and feed programs that meet nutritional needs for target weight gains.
differ from one operation to the next depending on production and marketing conditions and personal preferences. Goals may also • Plan for bulls to be well-grown without ex- change over time. Regular cess condition as year- program evaluation can lings. reveal areas where goals may need to be modified to • Have bulls physically fit so they will be active enhance program direction. breeders. • Implement a well-designed herd health program. Goals for a bull development program may
Selection of Bulls for Development
Selection of bulls for a development program begins continued on page 4
8 steps to convert year-round calving to a controlled breeding season Requested in-home September 12-16, 2016
By Les Anderson, Ph.D. - University of Kentucky Maintaining a controlled breeding and calving season can be one of the most important management tools for cow-calf producers. A uniform, heavier, and more valuable calf crop is one key reason for keeping the breeding season short. Plus, more efficient cow supplementation and cow herd health programs are products of a short breeding season. However, converting from a year-long breeding season
to a shortened 2 to 3 month breeding season should not be done haphazardly. A system for converting from year-round to a 75-day controlled calving season over a period of two years would present less loss and fewer problems than to try to convert in one year. The following steps are suggested for getting on a controlled breeding system:
1. Determine the ideal
time of year and the length of your new calving season. For example, my cows will calve from February 15th to April 30th (74 days).
2. Determine the repro-
ductive status of each cow in your herd. First, go to your record book to determine the last date each cow calved. If you don’t keep records, try to match the cows and calves up continued on page 19