2. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Introduction
The lessons covered in this module include Key Performance Measures, Benchmarking, Performance Improvement Strategies, Technologies, and Action Planning.
Although it is recommended that you move through this course from beginning to end in order, you may come back to any section you would like to review by returning to the main page.

3. Welcome
Welcome to “Prevention Programs and Technologies to Improve Reproductive Performance”
This training module will:
Help you better manage and reduce
your herd’s reproductive losses
Introduce you to appropriate prevention strategies and reproductive technologies
Welcome to "Prevention Programs and Technologies to Improve Reproductive Performance".
This training module is designed to help you better manage and reduce reproductive losses in your herd through the use of appropriate prevention strategies and reproductive technologies.

4. Module Contents
References to documents providing additional / expanded information
Review sections with activities to check your understanding of topics presented
As you work through the pages of this module you will notice references to documents that provide additional or expanded information related to module content, and review sections where you will be asked to complete an activity to check your understanding of the topics presented.
At this time, you may want to include the optional Activity #1.

5. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Key Performance Measures

6. Key Performance Measures
Is there is a need to improve reproductive performance?
Preventing and managing herd reproductive losses can make huge differences in yearly profitability
After completing this lesson, you
will be able to:
Evaluate herd performance data
needed to measure reproductive
performance
Calculate key performance measures
Preventing and managing reproductive losses in your herd can make a huge difference in your profitability from year to year. As you look at your operation, ask yourself: “Do I need to improve my reproductive performance?”.
After completing this lesson, you will be able to evaluate performance data needed to measure reproductive performance in a herd and calculate key performance measures.

7. Record Keeping “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”
Impossible to reverse losses once they’ve occurred
Keeping key herd production records:
Provides baseline data required to see if reproductive performance is where it should be
Helps identify herd strengths and weaknesses
Helps make good management decisions resulting in future improvements
Referring to the old saying, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure”, keeping a few key production records will provide the baseline data you need to find out if your herd’s reproductive performance is where it should be.
Remember, it’s impossible to reverse losses once they’ve occurred. However, your records can help you identify strengths and weaknesses in your herd so you can make management decisions that result in improvements down the road.

8. Record Keeping (continued)
You may already track and record herd data. Are you using those numbers to help pinpoint losses?
Look at this sample data from the Peterson Ranch.
With this information alone, you can calculate some of your herd’s key reproductive performance measures.
You may already track and record herd data, but are you really using those numbers to help you pinpoint where losses are occurring in your herd?
Look at the sample data on your screen. With this information alone, you are ready to calculate some key reproductive performance measures for your herd.

9. Performance Measures
With the current baseline data, you can calculate:
Pregnancy Percent
Calving Percent
Weaned Calf Crop Percent
Pounds Weaned per Female Exposed
Calving Distribution
An efficient herd
The investment made in cost of production turns into a return, or profit.
An inefficient herd
The returns from calf sales may simply offset the costs of production.
With the baseline data you already have, you can calculate Pregnancy Percent, Calving Percent, Weaned Calf Crop Percent, Pounds Weaned per Female Exposed, and Calving Distribution.
These calculations can help you determine if your herd is efficient. In an efficient herd, the investment made in cost of production turns into a return, or profit.
In an inefficient herd, the returns from calf sales may simply offset the costs of production.

10. Pregnancy Percent - Conception Rate
Number of cows that actually conceived a calf after being exposed to the bull
Low pregnancy percentage means:
Fewer calves on the ground to sell
Money must be spent to maintain cows that won’t provide any return
Let’s look at each production measure in more detail, starting with Pregnancy Percent.
Pregnancy percentage, or conception rate, simply tells you how many cows actually conceived a calf after being exposed to the bull. This is important because if you have a low pregnancy percentage, you know right away that you will have fewer calves on the ground to sell. It also means that you have to spend money to maintain cows that won’t provide any return.

11. Calving Percent Number of cows that actually gave birth to a live calf
Lower calving rate than pregnancy rate is significant
Losses occurring during gestation or at calving
Money being spent to maintain cows that won’t produce a calf to sell
Calving percent is another important production measure. It tells you how many cows actually gave birth to a live calf. If your calving rate is lower than your pregnancy rate, it’s significant—it means that losses are occurring during gestation or at calving. It also means that you are spending money to maintain cows that won’t produce a calf to sell.

12. Weaned Calf Crop Percent
Number of cows that fail to wean a live calf
Can be calculated even if regular pregnancy checks not performed
Cost same to feed and require same amount of labor as cows that do wean a calf
Producers see no return from non-productive cows
Determine calves lost between calving and weaning
Compare percentages of calving and weaned calf crop
If excessive calf loss, troubleshoot to find the cause
Weaned calf crop percent is a critical measure of production efficiency. This calculation can be done even if you don’t do regular pregnancy checks.
Cows failing to wean a live calf cost about the same to feed and require the same amount of labor as cows that do wean a calf. However, producers see no return from non-productive cows.
You can determine the calves lost between calving and weaning by comparing the calving percentage and the weaned calf crop percentage. If you have excessive calf loss, you should troubleshoot to find the cause.

13. Pounds Weaned per Female Exposed
Factors in production costs with generated return
If measure is too low, directly affects profitability
Key indicator of herd reproductive performance issues that may require management changes
Pounds weaned per female exposed is another critical measure of efficiency.
This figure factors in the costs of production with the return generated. If this measure is too low, it will directly affect your profitability. It can be a key indicator of reproductive performance issues in your herd that may require management changes.
At this time, you may want to include the optional Activity #2.

14. Calving Distribution Charts
Number of calves born alive in each 21-day period
In this example, most of the herd’s calves were born in the 3rd period
You can also measure your herd’s reproductive efficiency by analyzing calving distribution. Calving distribution is essentially a timeline showing when calves were born. It can help you pinpoint where losses are occurring.
The chart shown here is an example of a calving distribution chart. It shows how many calves were born alive during each 21-day period of the calving season.
If you chart when calves are born, it’s easier to see where reproductive losses are occurring and take steps to resolve the problem for the next calving season. A calving distribution table allows a producer to follow how cows are calving within the calving season, as well as the percentage that are calving within 21 days, 42 days, 63 days or later.
These percentages can be compared with the benchmarks for overall herd evaluation or used to follow how individual cows calve within the herd.

15. Calving Distribution Charts
These calves are lbs lighter than calves born in the first 21 days.
These calves will be older at weaning and have the heaviest weaning weights.
These calves may be up to 120 lbs lighter than calves born in the first 21 days.
In a commercial herd, all calves should be born in a 75 to 90 day period so that you have a heavier, more uniform calf crop to sell.
For every 21 days later a calf is born in the calving season, it will be 35 to 40 lbs lighter at weaning.
A “tight” calving season—with most calves being born in the first 42 days—increases calf uniformity and weight, which is a benefit when it’s time to go to market. Also, if you’re able to get most of the cows pregnant early, the likelihood of having open cows decreases.

16. Ideal Calving Distribution
Let’s look at an example. This chart represents an ideal calving distribution for a 100-cow herd. Notice how most of the calves born in the first 21 days will average around 600 lbs at weaning, while the calves born between 42 and 63 days average only 520 pounds at weaning. In this case, the producer loses around 80 lbs of weaning weight on average between calves born in the first 21 days and calves born between 42 and 63 days.
Why is this important? Let’s do the math.
The total average weaning weight for the calves born in the first 21 days is 600 lbs. Let’s say the 25 calves born between 21 and 42 days average about 40 pounds lighter per calf. That’s a difference of one thousand pounds! The difference is even more pronounced between calves born in the first 21 days and calves between 42 and 63 days. Let’s assume there’s a difference of 80 lbs per calf on average because the calves born later in the season will be much younger and have less time to gain before going to market. The difference between these groups is 560 lbs!
If you add together the pounds lost on average, you can see why it’s important to try to get as many calves born early in the season as possible.
Even in this ideal distribution, this producer loses 1560 lbs due to the lower weights of calves born later in the season.

17. Poor Calving Distribution
Now, let’s look at what happens during a longer calving season with poor distribution. In this example, only 10 cows out of 100 have calved in the first 21 days.
It’s taking longer for the cows to get pregnant. In fact, there are more open cows as a result, implying that the cows weren’t cycling or there was an issue with the bull.

18. Comparing Calving Distributions
What does this mean financially? Fewer pounds to sell!
Figure this out by adding together the total pounds for each herd. Now, subtract the Poor distribution herd’s total from the ideal Distribution’s herd’s total.
When you compare the two distributions, the difference in pounds weaned is more than eight thousand pounds!
Additionally, if you calculate the pounds produced per female exposed, you’ll notice that your cost of production increased because you had to pay to maintain seven additional cows that didn’t produce calves. As you can see, tracking your calving distribution can provide some important insights on your reproductive performance.
56,600 lbs weaned
48,400 lbs weaned -
8,200 lbs

19. Constructing a Calving Distribution Chart
Step 1: Count and record the number of mature cows calving.
Now that you see how a calving distribution chart can be a useful tool, let’s look at how simple it is to construct.
First, use your Redbook or BRS book to record the total number of mature cows that calved. Disregard first calf heifers, as the bull turnout dates or AI dates can be different than those of a mature cow.

20. Constructing a Calving Distribution Chart
Step 2: Circle the third mature cow calving.
Next, circle the third mature cow calving.

21. Constructing a Calving Distribution Chart
Step 3: Count down 21 days from when the 3rd cow calved and draw a line.
Now, count down 21 days from when the third cow calved and draw a line. Count the number of calves and divide by the total number of mature cows.
From the line, count down 21 days again and draw another line. Count the number of calves between the first two lines and divide by the total number of mature cows.
Repeat this process until all calves have been counted.

22. Calving Distribution
Calculating production measures helps identify herd performance improvements.
Pregnancy and Calving Percents directly relate to performance issues.
Too many open cows
Too many calves lost during gestation or calving
Weaned Calf Crop Percent and Pounds Weaned per Female Exposed relate to herd efficiencies. Helps determine:
If cows are getting pregnant early enough in the season
Health or nutrition problems that require management changes
This data helps reduce reproductive and financial losses.
Calculating these production measures can help you identify where herd performance can be improved.
For instance, Pregnancy Percent and Calving Percent directly relate to performance issues (like too many open cows or too many calves lost during gestation or calving), while Weaned Calf Crop Percent and Pounds Weaned per Female Exposed relate to efficiencies in your herd.
Calving distribution helps determine whether your cows are getting pregnant early enough in the season. Using this data can help you, your vet or nutritionist determine if there are some health or nutrition problems that will require management changes.
In the end, this will help you reduce reproductive losses and financial losses as well.

23. Calving Distribution Activity
Let’s practice!
Open your Calving Distribution spreadsheet
Sample data
Calculate your own data
What did you learn from your calving distribution?
Does your distribution seem to be improving from year to year?
What could be the cause of poor distribution?
Using data from your own herd and the Calving Distribution Chart provided, calculate your calving distribution.
At this time, you may want to include the optional Activity #3.

24. Key Performance Measures Summary
In most cases, data collected in the Red Book or BRS Book can be used to calculate:
Pregnancy percent
Calving percent
Weaned calf crop percent
Pounds weaned per female exposed
Calving distribution
In most cases, the data you collect in your Red Book or BRS Book today can be used to calculate pregnancy percent, calving percent, weaned calf crop percent, the pounds weaned per female exposed, and calving distribution.
With these key performance measures, you can get an excellent idea of what is going on in your herd.

25. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Benchmarking

26. Comparative Analysis: Benchmarking
In this lesson, you’ll learn:
How to conduct a comparative analysis
Step-by-step comparison of the herd’s production data with the production facts from other herds in the region
To assess the herd’s strengths and weaknesses.
Now that you know how to calculate some key production measures, what comes next? If you have a pregnancy percentage of 85%, does that mean your herd is efficient, inefficient, or somewhere in between?
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to conduct a comparative analysis—a step-by-step comparison of your herd’s production data with the production facts from other herds in the region—to assess your herd’s strengths and weaknesses.

27. Benchmark Data Overview
To successfully use herd records and production measures, compare them to some kind of standard or point of reference
See where you are “beating” the standards and where the standards are “beating” you
Known as benchmarking, or conducting a comparative analysis
Helps quickly identify areas of herd strength, weakness, and opportunity
To use your herd’s records and production measures successfully, you need to be able to compare them to some kind of standard or point of reference. When you take this approach, it becomes relatively easy to see where you are “beating” the standards and where the standards are “beating” you.
This practice is generally known as benchmarking, or conducting a comparative analysis. It’s valuable because it helps you quickly identify areas of strength, weakness, and opportunity in your herd.

28. Benchmark Data Overview (continued)
Where can you find benchmark data?
Many farms and ranches don’t use benchmark herd data
Benchmark data, like Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) is more available now
The Beef Cattle SPA page on the Texas A&M Agricultural Extension site
The SPA records page on the Iowa State Extension site
Where can you find the benchmark data to use to compare your own numbers?
Many farms and ranches don’t use benchmark herd data because they don’t generally have access to other beef producers’ production facts. However, benchmark data is becoming more available as producers use systems like Standardized Performance Analysis, or SPA, to reduce costs of production and improve efficiency.
The Beef Cattle SPA page on the Texas A&M Agricultural Extension site or the SPA records page on the Iowa State Extension site are good places to start.

29. Benchmark Data Overview (continued)
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by a benchmark summary report. This course will review the production data only.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by a benchmark summary report. Look at the example on your screen. Generally, summary reports include production and financial measures. For the purpose of this course, you’ll use the production data only.
If you’d like to learn more about the financial records and benchmark data, refer to the Economics of Beef Reproduction course on the Cattle Learning Center.
To begin your comparative analysis, start small—find the measures you calculate on the benchmark report and use those. When you feel proficient, you can begin collecting and analyzing more data.

30. Comparative Analysis
You are the final decision maker when it comes to determining your herd’s strengths and weaknesses.
There may be unique circumstances that make your herd’s performance differences a logical variation rather than a sign of weakness.
Conducting a comparative analysis is a great way to identify potential strengths and weaknesses so you can make better future management decisions.
Remember, you have to be the final decision maker when it comes to determining your herd’s strengths and weaknesses. There may be unique circumstances that make your herd’s performance differences a logical variation rather than a sign of weakness.
There’s no rule that says you have to accept the results of your comparative analysis. However, in general, this activity is a great way to identify potential strengths and weaknesses so you can make better management decisions for the next production year.
At this time, you may want to include the optional Activity #4.

31. Comparative Analysis: Benchmarking Summary
Comparing a herd’s production data to benchmark data allows:
Assessment of how the herd is doing
Where improvements can be made
Production measures simple to calculate with current herd production records
Recognize improvement opportunities for the reproductive performance of the herd
Comparing your herd’s production data to benchmark data allows you to assess how your herd is doing and where improvements can be made. These production measures are simple to calculate with production records that you already keep. It is important to recognize opportunities for improvement to improve the reproductive performance of your herd.
Remember, you can’t monitor what you don’t measure!

32. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Performance Improvement Strategies

33. Performance Improvement Strategies
What is the best action to take to reduce or manage potential herd weaknesses?
In this lesson, you will learn about:
Factors that influence reproductive performance
How these factors relate to performance measures
How implementing a balanced management strategy can help prevent losses
Remember, even though benchmark comparisons may help you identify potential weaknesses in your herd, they DO NOT tell you how to reduce or manage those weaknesses.
So how do you determine the best course of action to take? Do you even need to take action?
In this lesson, you will learn about the factors that influence reproductive performance and how these factors relate to the performance measures. Then, you will learn how implementing a balanced management strategy can help prevent losses.

34. Five Key Influencers Identify areas for improvement
Understand what items contribute to good reproductive performance:
Nutrition
Environment
Genetics
Health
Handling
Identifying areas for improvement is a good starting point.
Before you can make the best decision about how to address weaknesses or capitalize on strengths, you need to understand what items contribute to good reproductive performance. In general there are five factors to consider: Nutrition, Environment, Genetics, Health, and Handling.

35. Nutrition Nutrition affects reproduction:
Inability to return to heat after calving
Slow rebreeding performance or inability to rebreed
Poor milk production and weaker calves
Slow fetal growth
Calves with low birth weights
Low weaning weights
Calf death loss
Poor nutrition also affects beef production.
High nutrition levels can lead to over conditioning and high feed costs.
Let’s start by looking at how nutrition affects reproduction.
Nutrition can influence reproduction in a number of ways, including those listed on your screen. For example, the body condition of heifers and cows can directly affect reproductive performance. Cows in poor body condition will take longer to come back into heat. Thus, how you formulate your rations prior to or during the breeding season could have a huge effect on how many open cows you have or how many cows get pregnant early in the breeding season.
Poor nutrition also affects beef production in general.
However, keep in mind that nutrition levels that are too high can lead to over conditioning and high feed costs.

36. Environment
Environmental conditions impact herd reproductive performance and play key role in nutrition
Droughts and storms directly affect availability and quality of feedstuffs
Muddy conditions drag down cow condition and affect nutritional requirements
Temperature extremes stress cows and reduce fertility
Herd reproductive performance impacted most when conditions occur soon after breeding, during fetal development of calf
Environmental conditions can also impact reproductive performance.
For cows on pasture, environment can play a key role in nutrition. Droughts or storms can directly affect the availability and quality of feedstuffs. Muddy conditions can drag down cow condition and affect nutritional requirements.
Additionally, temperature extremes can stress cows and reduce fertility. These conditions impact reproductive performance the most when they occur soon after breeding, during fetal development of the calf. Stress can also lead to inefficient conversion of nutrients, or poor metabolism, meaning that the cow doesn’t have the proper nutrients for lactation and fetal development.

37. Environment (continued)
During extreme heat or drought conditions
Make sure cows have access to shade and adequate air movement.
Provide plenty of cool water
Don’t force recently inseminated cows to stand in treeless, dry lot situations
Avoid working or stressing cattle during hottest times of the day
During cold, wet or windy conditions
Be diligent about checking cows for signs of calving
Make sure cows calve in clean, well-drained calving location with windbreaks or woods
Use commercial calf blankets to increase calf survivability
Strategies to help you reduce environmental stress start with keeping cows well fed and in good body condition.
During extreme heat or drought conditions, make sure cows have access to shade and adequate air movement at breeding and immediately following breeding. Provide cows plenty of cool water. Do not force recently inseminated cows to stand in treeless, dry lot situations where there is no relief from the sun. Avoid working or stressing cattle during the hottest times of the day.
During cold, wet or windy conditions, be diligent about checking cows for signs of calving as calves need to nurse within 2 to 4 hours of birth or sooner. Make sure cows calve in clean, well-drained calving location with windbreaks or woods. Use commercial calf blankets to help increase calf survivability.

38. Genetics
Genetics can have a major impact on herd reproductive performance
Directly impact heifer development
Timing of first heat
Fertility
Ability to carry a healthy calf to full term
Ease of birthing
Milking ability
How soon the cow comes back into heat after calving
Although the effects of genetics can sometimes be difficult to see, they have a major impact on reproductive performance. It is easiest to notice the effects when there is poor reproductive performance.
For example, genetics can directly impact heifer development, the timing of first heat, fertility, ability to carry a healthy calf to full term, ease of birthing, milking ability, and how soon the cow comes back into heat after calving. Poor genetic selection decisions can result in a loss of cow productivity.

39. Genetics (continued)
Performing Breeding Soundness Exams (BSE) prior to breeding season helps evaluate overall quality and effectiveness of bulls
Helps assess bull for characteristics / right traits to pass on to heifers and cows
Ask beef cattle veterinarian to conduct annual BSE on all breeding bulls
Implementing Artificial Insemination (AI)
introduces higher quality genetics from
outside the herd
Opportunity to use bulls possessing
superior genetics
Economically feasible
Expected Progeny Differences (EPD)
allows selection of sire
Performing Breeding Soundness Exams (BSE) prior to the breeding season is one way a producer can evaluate the overall quality and effectiveness of bulls.
Conducting an initial Breeding Soundness Exam on bulls you would like to introduce to your herd is one way to ensure that you’re passing on the right traits. Before you introduce a new bull into the herd, assess him for characteristics that you would like to pass on to the heifers and cows in your herd. Be sure to ask a veterinarian who works with beef cattle to conduct an annual BSE on all bulls to be used for breeding.
Artificial Insemination (AI) gives you an opportunity to use bull possessing superior genetics that may other wise be unavailable due to costs. Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) allows selection of a sire.

40. Herd Health
The effects health has on reproductive performance are less obvious
When a cow’s health is sub-par, certain diseases impact cow productivity
Timing of heat
Ability to carry a healthy calf to full term
Body condition
Milking ability
Ability to come back into heat
after calving
The introduction of new cows (or bulls)
to the breeding herd, clothing,
equipment, and vehicles can be
disease agents.
While it may be easy to detect the health of animals in your herd, the effects that health has on reproductive performance may be less obvious. However, when the cow’s health status is sub-par, many issues could arise.
Certain diseases can impact cow productivity in several ways, including the timing of heat, the ability to carry a healthy calf to full term, body condition, milking ability, and the ability to come back into heat after calving.
The introduction of new cows (or bulls) to the breeding herd, as well as clothing, equipment, and vehicles, can be a point of entrance for disease agents.

41. Herd Health (continued)
How can you manage herd health to improve performance?
Develop comprehensive herd health program
Improves herd’s ability to resist disease
Preventive medicine in preparation of future challenges
Utilize biosecurity and biocontainment protocols to reduce introduction and spread of disease agents
Control / eliminate diseases already present
Disease prevention
Disease immunity
What are some ways you can manage the health of your herd to improve reproductive performance?
First, by developing a comprehensive herd health program, you can manage the overall health of your herd to improve the herd’s ability to resist disease. Herd health is preventive medicine to help prepare you for what may occur in the future.
Then, by utilizing biosecurity and biocontainment protocols, you can reduce the introduction and spread of disease agents in the herd. Biosecurity and biocontainment protocols include disease control / elimination, disease prevention, and increasing immunity to disease challenges.

42. Handling / Transportation
How cows are handled can affect their reproductive performance
Poor handling can result in stressed animals
Reduced conception rates
Limit cow’s ability to carry a calf to full-term
Increase interval between calving and return to heat
Finally, how your cows are handled can affect their reproductive performance.
Poor handling can result in stressed animals, and stress can cause reduced conception rates or limit a cow’s ability to carry a calf to full-term.  Stress resulting from poor handling can also increase the interval between calving and return to heat

43. Handling / Transportation (continued)
For appropriate handling:
Implement protocols outlined in state Beef Quality Assurance programs
Adopt team management approach
Now that you know how handling can impact cow productivity, how can you make improvements to your herd?
First, by implementing handling protocols, such as those outlined in state Beef Quality Assurance programs, cows will be consistently handled in an appropriate manner. In general, when handling cattle, avoid slippery surfaces in chutes and move them using their flight zone and point of balance.
When transporting cattle, make sure the transport vehicle provides adequate space and all ramps are properly designed. Do not ship cattle that can’t withstand the rigors of transportation.
Also, by adopting a team management approach, producers can assure that all animals are handled appropriately and consistently, no matter which handler is caring for them. Examples of team management strategies include: establishing a network of resources on cattle care; following the Cattle Care and Handling Guidelines; keeping track of training and education activities; and conducting self or external audits of animal care and handling procedures.

44. Performance Measures
So, how do these influencers—nutrition, environment, genetics, health, and handling—relate to your performance measures?
Look at the chart on your screen to review a summary of how deficiencies in any of the key influencers can affect your production measures.

45. Diagnosing a Problem Identify causes of poor reproductive performance
Design balanced management strategies to improve results
Use these diagnostic tips to effectively find problems:
Observe cattle
Keep detailed records
Communicate frequently with your management team
If you can accurately identify the causes of poor reproductive performance, you can design balanced management strategies that will result in improvements. The tips on your screen can help you diagnose where problems are occurring so you can address them properly and effectively.

46. Performance Improvement Strategies Summary
Key influencers of a herd’s performance include:
Nutrition
Environment
Genetics
Herd Health
Handling and Transportation
Relate to each other and affect each other
Effect key performance measures and impact bottom line
It is important to properly diagnose source of the issue and balance management approach.
Using a balanced management approach helps improve reproductive and production performance.
Nutrition, environment, genetics, herd health, and handling and transportation practices are key influencers in your herd’s performance. They have an effect on key performance measures and can also impact your bottom line. These influencers relate to each other and affect each other, so it’s important to properly diagnose the source of the issue and balance your management approach so you can address your weaknesses without compromising areas of strength.
A balanced management approach will help improve reproductive and production performance when you compare your data to benchmark herds.
At this time, you may want to include the optional Activity #5.

47. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Technologies

48. Technologies Reproductive technologies
Another option to enhance a herd’s reproductive performance
After completing this lesson, you will be able to identify technologies to help prevent loss and improve reproductive efficiencies.
Incorporating reproductive technologies may be another option to consider when trying to enhance your herd’s reproductive performance.
After completing this lesson, you will be able to identify technologies that may help you prevent loss or improve reproductive efficiency in your operation.

49. Why Technology?
Producers today have many options when it comes to technologies.
Technologies require proper implementation and attention to detail in order to be useful.
Improper implementation of technology can cause increased costs and frustration.
Proper planning and implementation strategies are necessary to receive full benefits technologies can provide.
Producers today have many options when it comes to technologies. Technologies require proper implementation and attention to detail in order to be useful. Improper implementation of technology can cause increased costs and frustration. Proper planning and implementation strategies are necessary to receive the full benefits technologies can provide.

50. Identify Herd Goals
Improving reproductive management through adoption and successful implementation of reproductive technologies
Adds value to a herd and increases long-term profitability
Identify goals before choosing or
evaluating improvement
technologies
What are you trying to accomplish?
Improving reproductive management through adoption and successful implementation of reproductive technologies will add value to your herd and increase long-term profitability of your operation.
But before you decide what technologies could help you improve your herd’s efficiency, you should identify your goals. What are you trying to accomplish? When you’ve answered that question, you will be better able to evaluate the technologies that can help you get there.
You’ll learn more about identifying goals for your herd in Lesson 5.

51. Cow-Calf Producers
Commercial cow-calf producers must consider cost-effective technology applications
Improved reproductive performance can increase:
Number of calves weaned
Weaning weights
Ability to market uniform calf crop
Returns must outweigh costs of
implementing technology to remain
profitable
Technologies that provide good returns:
Artificial insemination
Estrus synchronization
Ultrasound technology
Commercial cow-calf producers must consider technology applications that are cost-effective. Improved reproductive performance can increase the number of calves weaned, weaning weights, and ability to market a uniform calf crop. However, the returns must outweigh the costs of implementing the technology for you to remain profitable.
Technologies that provide good returns for commercial producers include artificial insemination, estrus synchronization, and ultrasound technology.

52. Artificial Insemination (AI)
AI is technology used to breed animals without using a bull.
Sperm from bull is inserted into cow’s reproductive tract using an AI gun
Semen from high quality bulls
Purchased from CSS or Certified Semen Sales supplier
Fewer bulls need to be kept on farm
Improves conception rates
Artificial Insemination, or AI, is a technology used to breed animals without using a bull.
Instead, sperm is collected from a bull, and inserted into the cow’s reproductive tract with a Cassou pipette, or AI gun. Once sperm is collected from the bull, it is examined, processed, and frozen for storage. With AI, semen from high quality bulls can be purchased from a CSS or Certified Semen Sales supplier, and fewer bulls need to be kept on your farm.
When performed at the proper time by an experienced technician, AI can improve conception rates.

53. Artificial Insemination (continued)
To implement AI procedures on your farm:
Excellent herd management
Attention to detail
Managerial decisions (feeding, facilities, sire selection) should be made before using AI
Experienced, trained technicians should perform AI procedures
Heat detection is crucial
To implement AI procedures on your farm, there are a few factors to consider.
First, in order to see improved conception rates, excellent herd management and attention to detail is required. Managerial decisions related to feeding, facilities, and sire selection should be made before using AI.
Next, experienced, trained technicians who work with estrus synchronization in beef females and are experienced with breeding large groups should perform AI procedures. AI technicians attend periodic training sessions to improve their techniques.
Finally, heat detection is crucial. Even a trained professional cannot breed a cow who isn’t in standing heat.

54. Artificial Insemination (continued)
Costs to utilize AI
Experienced AI technician
Increased management
More handling facilities
Semen / Semen Storage Tank
AI Gun
You may be wondering how much it costs to utilize AI on your farm. Let’s break down the costs so you can make an informed decision.
Remember, it takes an experienced AI technician to improve conception rates, so be sure to factor those labor costs in when you're considering AI. Trying to save on labor costs up front could actually cost you more in the long run.
While the cost factors associated with implementing an AI program on your farm are listed here, remember that there will be a reduction in your investment to purchase and maintain bulls used for natural service.

55. Estrus Synchronization
Estrus synchronization is a way to time reproduction by administering naturally occurring reproductive hormones at specific time intervals to make a majority of the breeding females come into heat at the same time.
Improves efficiency of AI program
Helps market more uniform, consistent calf crop
Heavier calves at distinct times of year
Helps control calving distribution
Helps shorten length of postpartum anestrous
Estrus synchronization is a way to time reproduction so a majority of your herd comes into heat at the same time. Injections or placement of naturally occurring reproductive hormones administered at specific time intervals cause the cows to come into heat, breed, and calve during the same time period.
This improves efficiency of an AI program. It helps you market a more uniform, consistent calf crop with heavier calves at distinct times of the year. It can also help you control your calving distribution. Following estrus synchronization protocols can also help shorten the length of postpartum anestrous.

56. Estrus Synchronization (continued)
Three types of Synch programs
Heat detection and breed upon observation
Heat detection and breed upon observation, followed by a "clean-up" AI session;
Fixed-time AI
All programs require attention to detail
Body condition score of cows evaluated / adjusted at calving
Proper heat detection
Pregnancy checks done early (60 to 70 days after end of season)
Facilities well-designed / reliable
Use estrus synchronization planner
Fundamentally, there are three types of Synch programs available: Heat detection and breed upon observation; Heat detection and breed upon observation, followed by a "clean-up" AI session; and Fixed-time AI.
All of these programs require attention to detail. For example, with Estrus synchronization, the body condition score of cows should be evaluated at calving and adjusted to ensure cows receive proper postpartum nutrition.
Proper heat detection is also important to ensure breeding is done at the right time. Pregnancy checks should be done early (60 to 70 days after the end of the AI season) to identify open cows quickly so they can be rebred at the next heat.
Finally, facilities must be well-designed and reliable so more cows can be processed at the same time. Use the estrus synchronization planner to figure out which protocol is right for your herd.

57. Estrus Synchronization (continued)
Implementing an estrus synchronization program requires:
Skilled technicians / labor
More management time
Increased concentration on facility design / equipment
Additional costs (determined by protocol used)
Consultation with synchronization-experienced individual helpful in selection and implementation of best program
AI industry representative
Veterinarian
University specialist
How much will it cost to implement an estrus synchronization program on your farm? All synchronization protocols require skilled labor, more management time, and increased concentration on facility design and equipment. The exact protocol used will determine additional costs.
Consultation with an individual experienced with synchronization, such as an AI industry representative, veterinarian, or university specialist, can be helpful to select the best synchronization program for your operation as well as to assist with management and implementation of the plan. You can also utilize sites in the Resources section to figure out what protocol is right for your herd.

58. Ultrasound Technology
Ultrasound technology (ultrasonography)
Used to improve your herd’s reproductive performance
Used for early pregnancy detection
Used to detect pregnancy
Between 60 to 80 days post
insemination
Cows identified as “open” earlier
reduces costs of non-producing
females
Moved to earlier breeding season
Culled earlier
Ultrasound technology, or ultrasonography, can also be used to improve your herd’s reproductive performance.
While you may be familiar with ultrasound applications for carcass traits, the technology can also be used for early pregnancy detection. High frequency sound waves are emitted from a probe to produce pictures of tissues and organs. Ultrasound technology can be used to detect pregnancy between 60 to 80 days post insemination or exposure to the bull. Cows identified as “open” earlier can be either moved to a different breeding season earlier or culled earlier, thus reducing costs associated with non-producing females.

59. Ultrasound Technology (continued)
Requires skilled technicians
Attention to detailed records
Allows for early pregnancy detection
Utilized to perform embryo sexing
While Ultrasound requires skilled technicians and attention to detailed records, it allows for early pregnancy detection using key fetal structures and also can be utilized to perform embryo sexing, which can be used in female marketing programs.

60. Ultrasound Technology (continued)
Costs of using Ultrasound Technology
Labor to gather and handle cattle
Ultrasound technicians
Time keeping records to make ultrasound applications successful
Costs for utilizing ultrasound technology on your farm come from a few sources.
You must pay an ultrasound technician to perform ultrasound procedures. Generally these costs are on a per/head basis and vary by technician.
You will also need to spend more time keeping records to make ultrasound applications successful.

61. Early Pregnancy Tests
Early pregnancy tests help improve herd reproductive performance
Simple blood tests available today to detect if cows are pregnant or open
Identifies open cows earlier
Ensures cows are rebred as soon as they cycle again
Early pregnancy tests can help you improve the reproductive performance of your herd. T
he versions of tests available on the market today are simple blood tests that can quickly detect whether cows are pregnant or open. Over 10 percent of cows pregnant at day 18 lose the pregnancy before the end of the term; thus, this technology can help you reduce production costs by identifying open cows earlier and ensuring they are rebred as soon as they cycle again.

62. Embryo Transfer (ET)
Embryo Transfer produces calves from a genetically superior cow.
Embryos (eggs) collected from superior cow
Embryos are inserted into recipient cows with good mothering abilities
Advantages:
Allows cow to produce larger number of offspring earlier in life
Improves her EPDs
Provides the producer additional marketing opportunities from calves, pregnancies, and embryos
Producers may also be interested in embryo transfer, or ET.
ET is a way to produce a number of calves from a genetically superior cow. Embryos, or eggs, are collected from the genetically superior cow, and inserted into a number of recipient cows with good mothering abilities. This allows the cow to produce a larger number of offspring earlier in life to improve her EPDs, and can provide the producer with additional marketing opportunities from calves, pregnancies, and embryos.

63. Embryo Transfer (continued)
Factors to consider before using ET technology
Select superior donor cows
Administer hormones at right time
Use proper artificial insemination techniques to ensure fertilization
Adequate flushing to recover embryos for transfer
Diligent evaluation and processing for viable embryos
Selection of adequate recipient cows
Successful transfer
Proper management of the recipient herd
Marketability of the calves
You should consider several factors before using ET technology.
Selecting superior donor cows is the first key to success. Next, you’ll need to administer hormones at the right time and ensure proper artificial insemination techniques are used to help ensure fertilization. Adequate flushing recovers embryos for transfer. Diligent evaluation and processing ensures only viable embryos are transferred. Selection of adequate recipient cows, successful transfer, and proper management of the recipient herd are ways you can ensure superior calves are born.
Finally, marketability of the calves is a key consideration for producers.

64. Embryo Transfer (continued)
Embryo transfer technology costs are high
Can be recovered if calves marketed appropriately
Highest cost is maintaining recipient herd
Extra labor necessary to administer
Injections
Heat detection
Artificial insemination
Facility costs similar
to other AI systems
operations
Costs for utilizing embryo transfer technology are quite high, but can be recovered if calves are marketed appropriately.
The highest cost associated with ET is maintaining the recipient herd. Besides the time required to maintain the recipient herd, extra labor is necessary for administration of injections, heat detection, and artificial insemination. To perform a typical ET procedure, the average donor cow will go through the chute 12 times, and recipient cows twice.
Facility costs are similar to other operations using AI systems.

65. Sexed Semen Sexed semen used to achieve gender-specific calf crop
Female-sexed semen used to inseminate cows / heifers to get replacement heifers
Semen from superior bulls processed and sex sorted
Sexed semen can be used by producers to achieve a gender-specific calf crop. For example, producers can use female-sexed semen to inseminate cows or heifers to get replacement heifers. Semen collected from superior bulls is processed and sex sorted. Because male and female chromosomes are different sizes, semen can be dyed and when exposed to light sorted based on the amount of light emitted.
However, the process isn’t flawless. When sorted, only 30% of the sperm is viable. Therefore, only 15% of the original dose is contained in the marketable product. Also, research has shown reduced conception rates when using sexed semen.
For these reasons, it is recommended that sexed semen be used in virgin heifers for best results. Although sexed semen has some drawbacks today, future research will likely overcome these deficiencies, thus making this process the method of choice for many producers.

66. Cloning Cloning technologies available, but not yet practical
Used to research reproductive management practices
More control of reproductive processes
Procedure used to copy genetic material of one animal to create new individual from same genetic information
During fertilization, egg and sperm join
together to form genetic material
for embryo
Genetic material removed from egg,
fertilized by somatic (body type) cell
New embryo made of identical
genetic material to somatic cell
New individual will have characteristics
similar to original animal
A few technologies are currently available, but not yet practical for producers. However, they are used to research reproductive management practices. By using cloning techniques, researchers have more control of reproductive processes.
Cloning is a procedure used to copy the genetic material of one animal to create a new individual from the same genetic information. During fertilization, the egg and sperm join together to form the genetic material for the embryo. However, in cloning, the genetic material is removed from the egg, and it is basically fertilized by a somatic (or body type) cell. The new embryo is made up of identical genetic material to the somatic cell. This means that the new individual will have many characteristics similar to the original animal.

67. Cloning (continued) Cloning procedures valuable to researchers
Can create several individuals with same genetic material
Can differentiate between genetic and environmentally controlled factors
Research trials can be performed studying fertility of genetically identical cows
Differences in fertility rates can be attributed to management factors
Genetic material from genetically outstanding animals can be copied
Cloning procedures can be valuable to researchers because they can create several individuals with the same genetic material.
With this information, they can differentiate between genetic and environmentally controlled factors. For example, research trials can be performed studying the fertility of genetically identical cows. Differences in fertility rates can then be attributed to management factors. Also, the genetic material from genetically outstanding animals can be copied and used to create new individuals with the same genetics.
At this time, you may want to include the optional Activity #6.

68. Technologies Summary
Technologies used to improve reproductive performance
Important to consider herd’s characteristics before deciding to implement new technology
What are goals for your herd?
What are you trying to achieve?
Technologies can be used to improve reproductive performance. However, it is important to remember to consider your specific herd’s characteristics before deciding to implement new technology.
What are your goals for your herd? What are you trying to achieve?
In the next section, you will learn about the importance of setting goals for your herd and how to develop an Action Plan with steps to move forward.

69. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Goal Setting and Action Planning

70. Goal Setting and Action Planning
Important to set herd reproductive performance goals
Before making management system changes to prevent losses and improve performance
Identify characteristics of
A “SMART” goal
Critical components of Action Plan
for reproductive improvement
Before you’re ready to make changes to your management system to prevent reproductive losses and improve performance, you need to set a reproductive performance goal for your herd.
In this lesson, you’ll learn why it’s important to set goals. You’ll also be able to identify the characteristics of a SMART goal, as well as the critical components of an Action Plan for reproductive improvement.

71. The Importance of Goals
Goals give benchmarks to achieve in one or more business areas
Setting goals helps establish priorities
Concentrate time, efforts, and money in right places
Goals act as communication tools
Sharing goals with management team
Solicit feedback and insights
Everyone on same page
Everyone working toward same
outcome
Goals help identify if changes
have been successful
Why is it important to set goals for reproductive performance?
First, a goal will give you a benchmark to achieve in one or more areas of your business.
Second, setting goals helps you establish priorities so you can concentrate your time, efforts, and money in the right places.
Third, goals can act as a communication tool. If you share your goals with your management team and solicit their feedback and insights, you ensure that everyone is on the same page and working toward the same outcome.
Finally, goals help you identify whether changes you make have been successful.

72. Aligning Goals
Herd reproductive performance goals must be aligned with areas identified as needing improvement
Refer back to comparative analysis
Talk with herd management team
Determine where to focus efforts
The reproductive performance goals you set for your herd must be aligned with the areas you’ve identified as needing improvement.
So before you get started, you should refer back to your comparative analysis and talk with your herd management team to determine where you should focus your efforts.
At this time, you may want to include the optional Activity #7.

73. S M A R T SMART Goals PECIFIC EASURABLE TTAINABLE ELATED IME-BASED
Next, you need to make sure your goals are SMART—specific, measurable, attainable, related, and time-based. Writing goals with these characteristics will enable your success by providing a foundation for continuous improvement. R
ELATED T
IME-BASED

74. Specific
SMART goals need to be specific. They should answer the following questions:
What is going to be done?
How will it be done?
Who will do it?
Why is this important?
SMART goals need to be specific. They should answer the following questions:
What is going to be done?
How will it be done?
Who will do it?
Why is this important?

75. Measurable
A measurable goal will help you determine the benchmark where you start and will have a clear cut signal of completion.
Being able to measure means having numbers, timelines, or tasks to complete.
Remember, you can’t manage what you don’t measure!
A measurable goal will help you determine the benchmark where you start and will have a clear cut signal of completion. Being able to measure means having numbers, timelines, or tasks to complete. Remember, you can’t manage what you don’t measure!

76. Attainable
There is no purpose in setting a goal you can’t achieve, and unattainable goals will be discouraging.
Goals should help you stretch, but they must not be impossible.
There is no purpose in setting a goal you can’t achieve, and unattainable goals will be discouraging. Goals should help you stretch, but they must not be impossible.

77. Related All your planning efforts on all levels need to be integrated.
That means they need to mesh together so one supports another.
All your planning efforts on all levels need to be integrated. That means they need to mesh together so one supports another.

78. Time-Based
Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, in three months, by the end of the calving season.
Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards.
If you don’t set a time limit, the commitment is too vague and there may not be enough urgency to start taking action.
Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, in three months, by the end of the calving season. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards. If you don’t set a time limit, the commitment is too vague and there may not be enough urgency to start taking action.

79. Communicate Goals Once goals are determined
Communicate goals to rest of management team
Identify what practices need to change to meet goals
Work with team to identify Action Plan
Action Plan includes specific tasks
to be done and by whom
How to do each task
When tasks should be completed
Discuss and document associated
costs you may incur
Training on new technologies
Once you have determined what your goal should be, it’s essential to communicate the goal to the rest of the management team and identify what practices need to change in order to meet the goal.
Work with your team to identify an Action Plan. An Action Plan includes specific tasks to be done and by whom, how to do each task, and when the tasks should be completed.
You should also discuss and document associated costs you may need to incur, such as training on new technologies, in order to achieve your goal.

80. Adjusting Goals Implement Action Plan
Document adjustments made along the way
Document challenges that come up along the way
Important obstacles that prevent reaching goals, such as:
Short term drought
Extreme heat stress
Continue to keep records on herd performance
Compare to previous records as well as to goals
Determine when it’s realistic to conduct another comparative analysis
Have changes resulted in improved performance?
As you implement your Action Plan, be sure to document adjustments you make along the way.
Be sure to document any challenges that come up along the way that may be important obstacles that prevent reaching your goal. These could be issues like a short term drought or extreme heat stress.
You should also continue to keep records on herd performance so that you can compare them to previous records as well as to your goal.
Depending on your goal, you’ll need to determine when it’s realistic to conduct another comparative analysis to see if the changes you made resulted in improved performance.
At this time, you may want to include the optional Activity #8.

81. Goal Setting and Action Planning Summary
Congratulations!
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about prevention programs and technologies that will help you improve the reproductive performance of your herd.
Congratulations! You’ve completed the course.