1. IRM Farm Program
Dr. Les Anderson

2. Low Market Thoughts Many will not make money
Management usually “pays”
Focus on things you can control
Costs (feed and forage)
Quality (genetics, health)
Quantity (repro)
Marketing plan (also impacted by repro)

3. Impact of Controlling Reproduction
Directly impacts gross income
Increases the number of calves to market
Increases market weight by increasing the age of the average calf
Indirect effects on profitability
Reduces labor
Reduces cost of production

4. Kentucky Cattle Herd Statistics
Over 75% of farms with less than 25 head do not have a controlled calving season
In EKY most farms are small and around 90% of them have extended calving windows

5. Issues with Long Calving
Economic analysis of 394 ranches in TX, OK, NM (Parker et al., 2004)
Positive relationship number of days of the breeding season and the cost of production
Cost per 100# of calf increased 4.7₵ for each day
# of calf weaned per year decreased .158 per day
Year-round calves sold fewer pounds of calf per cow per year and the cost of production was $13.63 per hundredweight more.

6. Data from Univ of Arkansas
6 farms, all year round calvers. Took 3-5 years to transition to one 90-day season.
Production Item
Before…
After….
Length of the calving season
273 ± 85 d
85 ± 5 d
Percentage of cows that calved when desired
46 ± 14%
92 ± 12%
Mature cow calving percentage
89.2 ± 6%
87.2±10%
Herd breakeven ($/lb)
$.61 ± .22
$.43 ± .25
Specified costs per AU ($)
$210 ± 145
$126 ± 40
Income over specified cost per AU ($)
$95 ± 68
$190 ± 134

7. Evolution IRM Farm Program Pilot Program in NKY
Implemented in the Appalachian Region
Basic philosophy = project-based learning
Two educational seminars but emphasis on personal training and field days

8. Changes Interested in Heath Nutrition Genetics Reproduction
Vaccinations
Deworming
Nutrition
BCS
Mineral
Rations
Forage systems
Genetics
Crossbreeding
Matching the environment
Reproduction
Year-round calving to control
Long calving season to controlled
Short/long term impact of AI

9. Goals of the program Change producers behaviors
Implement sound management practices
Control breeding/calving seasons
“Learn-by-doing” emphasis
Improve productivity and profit potential
Measure and quantify the changes

10. Initial farm visit Meeting the producer and county ag agent
Assessing the facilities, cattle, and management practices
Collecting ‘base line’ data
Use as a starting point
Previous calving season lengths, calving dates, weaning weights, BCS, etc.

11. Farms involved A wide variety of management levels present
None
Some (Basic)
Good
Trying to build upon their level of management
Point A to Point B

12. Individual personalized reproduction plan
Specific for each producer for that year/breeding season
What will be entailed:
Vaccination reminder
Pregnancy check date
Groups of cows to be set up and dates for:
TAI
CIDR protocols for bull turnout
MGA feeding schedule

13. More than just reproduction
Nutrition
Mineral program
16/82 had no mineral program
66/82 had poor mineral program
BCS (weaning, calving, breeding)
Winter feeding (feed analysis, ration balancing)
Health
Vaccination program
47/82 farms had limited vaccination program
Deworming (31/82 did not)

14. More than just reproduction
Genetics
Crossbreeding (44/82 did not)
Complements feed resources and market
Reproduction (70/82 did not)
Establish a calving season (or two)
Control estrus
Require BSE
Reduce pregnancy loss and calf death loss

15. Current Farms 2015 2016 Herds range from 7-178 females 82 producers
1,798 cows total
731 cows AI
2016
Added 28 producers
766 cows worked
139 cows AI

16. Farm Program Year # of Producers # Cows Range # FTAI 2015 82 1798
7-178
731
2016 28
766
3-250
139
2017
Total
114
5401

17. Breakdown of Categories
Category
# of producers
# of cows
Avg. Est. CS Reduced
365 SF 23
216
102
365 S 6 73
223
365 F 7
193
180
120 SF 10
266 41
120 S 11
289 33
90 SF 4 77 30
90 S 12
482 16
90 F 3 25
Heifer AI
100 32

18. The Data is the Key!

19. Data Collection All data is recorded
Breeding, Calving, Pregnancy, Weaning
Utilize Google Drive’s function and capabilities
Google Forms
Accessible on smart phones and laptops
Data entries automatically saved
Only have access to their individual folder and data

24. Methods Used to Control Reproduction

25. ES and Natural Service MGA or CIDR Turn in bulls Tues Mon Tues
Talk through slide

26. Pharmaceuticals Used Progestins
Biological Action: Imitates the CL, inhibits estrus if the cows have started cycling, induces estrus in anestrous cows
Products
MGA
Feed additive
Feed at a rate of .5 mg/hd/day
CIDR

27. Estrus Synchronization and Natural Service – whole farm examples
Treatment Numbers Preg Rate 1st 30 d
Control
MGA
Control
CIDR
Bull:Cow range from 1:23 to 1:42 (91% PR )
Results
Pregnancy rate via palpation. Calving rate was unchanged.
1st 40 days is the proportion of cows that calved in the 1st 40 days of the calving season.
Open cows = 1 mature cow in the control group. The rest of the open cows were 2-year olds. Only 2 were pregnant in the control group, 1 was open in the MGA group and all were pregnant in the MGA-Lutalyse group.
Note how well managed the herd is. 89% calved in the 1st 40 days in the control group.

28. Return on Investment 108 cows; 54 MGA-Bull, 54 Corn-bull
15% increase in pregnancy rate
40.4 extra pounds at weaning per calf
Estimated return on investment:
Cost per cow = $2.96/cow for 7 days of MGA
Return per cow
31,110 lbs x $ = $44,761/54 = $828.91
24,510 lbs x $ = $35,265/54 = $653.06
$ return per cow treated
In the next several slides, I am attempting to demonstrate the economic return generated by feeding MGA.
There was about a 15% increase in pregnancy rate (80% versus 95% if combine both MGA groups).
Calves weighed 40 extra pounds on July 11 in the synchronized groups. Some cow-calf pairs were sold before weaning so a pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed calculation is NOT possible.
I am using this model to help understand the economic impact since we cannot get the actual weaning data. If had 100 synchronized cows and a 15% higher preg rate then you will have 15 more calves to sell.

29. Jackson County Farm - Targeted
150 cows that calved from mid-February to mid-May.
Inserted CIDR devices in all cows that calved in April and May. Also, inserted CIDRs in all the two year olds (25).
Turned the bulls out for 70 days.

30. Jackson County Farm - Targeted
Results
Overall pregnancy rate = 94% (141/150).
Percent calved in 30 days = 75% (113/150).
Two year olds:
17 conceived in first 30 days
22 conceived, 3 open (88% pregnancy rate).

31. Campbell Co – Really Targeted!
Inserted CIDR’s on May 14, 2013* 2013 calving date 2014 calving date Days Earlier 1st calf heifer 4/13 3/5 39 days 1st calf heifer 4/27 3/26 31days Cow 4/2 3/10 22 days Cow 4/29 3/21 39 days Inserted CIDR’s on June 17, 2013* 1st calf heifer 5/26 4/7 49 days Cow 5/19 4/30 20 days Cow 5/26 5/ days Cow 5/31 April 8 52 days 7 of the 8 cows calved an average of 36 days earlier in 2014 compared to Additional 90 pounds of WW per calf for a total of 630 additional pounds X $ (average price of steers and heifers weighing 500/550 pounds) = $906 return on a $80 investment.

32. Year-round to Controlled
On-Farm Data
Year-round to Controlled

33. Results

34. Year Round  Fall

35. Year 1 Steps: Pulled the bull late March 2015 Sold 6 “done” cows
2015
Total Cows Exposed to the bull 17
Number of Calves born in:
January 1
February
March
April
May
June 2
July
August
September 6
October
November
December
Date of First Calf
1/14/2015
Date of Last Calf
12/22/2015
Calving Season Length
342
Total # of Calves Born 16
# of cows that did not calve
# of Calves that died 3
Total # of Calves Weaned 13
Calved again in
December and Sold
Held for Fall breeding
Steps:
Pulled the bull late March 2015
Sold 6 “done” cows
Bought 2 replacement heifers
12 head FTAI
Held for Fall breeding (1 sold)
1 sold, 1 = CIDR
Both Sold
Both Sold

36. Year 2 2016 Breeding Season Steps: Added 5 replacement heifers
2015
2016
Total Cows Exposed to the bull 17 13
Number of Calves born in:
January 1
February
March
April
May
June 2
July
August
September 6
October 4
November
December
Date of First Calf
1/14/2015
9/10/2016
Date of Last Calf
12/22/2015
11/9/2016
Calving Season Length
342 60
Total # of Calves Born 16 12
# of cows that did not calve
# of Calves that died 3
Total # of Calves Weaned
Year 2
2016 Breeding Season
Steps:
Added 5 replacement heifers
2 late-calving cows = CIDR
16 head FTAI

37. Year 3 2017 Estimated based on pregnancy diagnosis Sold 1 open cow
2015
2016
2017 (*estimated)
Total Cows Exposed to the bull 17 13 18
Number of Calves born in:
January 1
February
March
April
May
June 2
July
August
September 6
12*
October 4 5*
November
December
Date of First Calf
1/14/2015
9/10/2016
9/8/2017
Date of Last Calf
12/22/2015
11/9/2016
10/14/2017
Calving Season Length
342 60 36
Total # of Calves Born 16 12
# of cows that did not calve 1 
# of Calves that died 3
Total # of Calves Weaned
Year 3
2017
Estimated based on pregnancy diagnosis
Sold 1 open cow

38. Summary What’s it worth? 88 pound increase in WW/cow exposed
2015
2016
2017 (estimated)
Total cows 17 13 18
#calves born 16 12
calving%
94%
92%
# weaned
%weaned/cow exposed
76%
total WW (lbs)
5281
5184
WW/cow exposed (lbs)
310.65
398.77
date first calf
1/14/2015
9/10/2016
9/8/2017
date last calf
12/22/2015
11/9/2016
10/14/2017
CS length
342 60 36
% in desired window
56%
100%
AI%
50%
75%
What’s it worth?
88 pound increase in WW/cow exposed
311 x $152/cwt = $472.72
399 x $150/cwt = $598.50
$125.78/cow increase

39. 2015 2016 Jan 2 Feb Mar 1 Apr May 3 Jun 4 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
# calves 22
Date First
1/24/2015
Date Last
11/28/2015
CS Length
308
Held for May Breeding
Insert CIDR
Held for November Breeding
Used MGA

40. 2015
2016
Jan 2
Feb
Mar 1
3/11/2016
Apr
7/9/2016
May 3
120
Jun 4
Jul
Aug
Sep 16
9/10/2016
Oct
10/15/2016
Nov 35
Dec
# calves 22 23
DateFirst
1/24/2015
DateLast
11/28/2015
CS Length
308

41. Lot Size Impacts (Halich and Burdine, 2015)
Data: Bluegrass Stockyards CPH Sales

42. On-Farm Data
Incorporating AI

43. TAI Breeding Protocols
Cows
7 day CIDR
GnRH at insertion, Lutalyse at removal, GnRH at breeding
Breed 66 h after removing CIDR
Heifers
5 day CIDR
NO GnRH at insertion, Lutalyse at removal, GnRH at breeding
If GnRH is given at CIDR insertion in heifers then two doses of Lutalyse are needed
Breed h after removing CIDR

44. AI Sires Used Angus (Comrade, Bruiser) Charolais (Free Lunch, Target)
Hereford (Ft. Knox, Ribeye)
Simmental (Uno Mas, Grandmaster)
Comrade
Ft. Knox
Uno Mas
Free Lunch

45. Fleming County Producer
- Baseline = Sept-May
- FTAI 10 cows – 70% CR
- April/May FTAI
- Three stragglers
FTAI – 63%
CIDR 14 days after calving

46. IRM Farm Program - Revenue
Pregnancy rate increased from 83% to 89%
Increased WW by 69 pounds
2015
2,280 cows weaned calves that weighed 530 pounds = 1,051,308 pounds
2016
2,316 cows weaned calves that weighed 599 pounds = 1,234,682 pounds

47. Total Potential Economic Impact
1,234,683 – 1,051,308 = 183,375 pounds
= $293,840 ($143.88/cwt)
$3,217.56/producer
24% increase in revenue!

48. Questions/Comments