Bovis ISSN 2398-2993

Fertility: beef herd management

Introduction

• The management of fertility and, by definition therefore, the management of infertility, in the beef suckler herd is paramount in ensuring herd performance and profitability.
• Although frequently the approach taken, it is inadequate to rely on the happy accident of cows conceiving after being introduced to the bull, carrying their pregnancy to term and then producing a viable and vigorous calf.  
• Careful management of the many and varied factors that influence fertility is necessary to ensure cows conceive in satisfactory numbers at the optimum time to ensure a tight calving pattern.
• A tight calving pattern is desirable to facilitate optimal calf management and maximize future fertility and cow retention within the herd. It will deliver:
  • Cows at a similar stage in the production cycle at the same time.
  • Calves of a similar age and uniform size.
  • More efficient use of labor.
  • More weight of calf per cow mated at weaning.

Cow factors

Calving periods

Nutrition and body condition

The bull

Heifer Management

Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Infectious disease

Measuring Output