NUTRITION IS A NECESSITY Tips to building a successful breeding program from Biozyme Cow-calf producers have a checklist of endless options in order to be successful. They can choose the breed or breeds they want to incorporate into their herds. They can choose a time of year to calve based on their marketing strategy and demand. They can choose from a multitude of health and nutrition protocols. And they can choose from several breeding programs to make their operation successful. However, before they make too many choices, the one thing cow-calf producers should do is have a goal in mind. Perhaps Walt Disney said it best, “A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there.” Third-generation Angus producer Britney Creamer from Lazy JB Angus in Montrose, Colo., agrees and reminds readers that all livestock operations are businesses that need a plan to thrive and survive. “When you start, figure out what your overall goals are because that will make a difference in your breeding decisions,” she challenges. “If you are looking to raise commercial calves, are you selling at weaning time or selling your calves as yearlings? From the seedstock side, are you trying to sell bulls? Are you going to sell show heifers? If you start with your goals in mind, that can help establish which direction you need to go with your bull and mating selections.” Producers have the options of natural bull service or the use of advanced reproductive technologies like artificial insemination (A.I.) and embryo transfer (E.T.). Some livestock operations use a combination, while others use one exclusively. Whichever method you choose will ultimately reflect the goals of your operation, and the final
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outcome as you reach your goals. Lazy JB Angus is a seedstock operation that works to produce bulls that will benefit the commercial cattleman while still raising cattle that will work in the show ring, so they spend time evaluating bulls and potential sires for multiple traits. “There are a lot of different bulls for a lot of different uses. We have those bulls that are more targeted toward the show ring. We have those that are targeted more for carcass or more EPD-oriented. For our particular operation, we’re trying to do it all,” Creamer said. Natural Service Saves Labor The primary advantage of using a bull or multiple bulls to breed your cows is the decreased labor it requires. After making sure your bulls are reproductively sound, the bull or bulls are turned out with the cows for a pre-determined amount of time, depending on the length of calving window the producer desires. It is recommended to leave the bulls out for at least 42-63 days to cover two to three cycles. “Obviously having bulls right out there on your cows, you’re guaranteeing that your cows are getting covered. You’re not continually having to set them up or watch them to see if they are cycling, so from a labor standpoint using all-natural service is a good way to go. Of course, you can buy a good bull for $5,000 and cover a lot of cows. With semen, you’re paying per straw, and you have added labor costs when using A.I.” Creamer said. She also reminds producers that when buying bulls to ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 76
VOLUME 7
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FEBRUARY 2021
