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Worth the Hassle

Heat synchronization, timed AI and strict culling criteria add $50,000 in value.

BILOXI, Miss. (June 9, 2015) — A small percentage of American producers utilize artificial insemination (AI) in their herds, with most American producers relying on natural breeding. During the 2015 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Convention in Biloxi, Miss., Cliff Lamb, University of Florida Research Foundation professor, weighed the hassles most often cited as reasons for not AIing against the economic opportunity it offers.

Cliff Lamb

Cliff Lamb, University of Florida Research Foundation professor, weighed the hassles most often cited as reasons for not AIing against the economic opportunity it offers.

When Lamb began at the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC), he set up a very strict set of criteria for the females on the ranch. To stay in the herd, cows had to calve by 24 months of age, calve every 365 days with no assistance, provide enough resources for her calf to reach its genetic potential, maintain body condition score and not be crazy.

In five years, he was able to convert the ranch from a 120-day breeding season to a 70-day breeding season using AI, estrus synchronization and a strict culling rule eliminating all heifers that became pregnant after the first 25 days of the breeding season.

“The other thing that I had to overcome when I first moved to the North Florida Research and Education Center was this mentality that it is too difficult to artificially inseminate cows,” Lamb said. “It is a hassle, and there are hassle factors.”

Complicated protocols, sire selection, reliable facilities, labor for AI and product administration, and time are all hassle factors used as excuses to not utilize AI and estrus synchronization, Lamb says. However, after implementing timed-AI protocols consistently for five years, the herd at the NFREC experienced an increase in herd value of $50,000.

Lamb attributed this success to managing the cattle operation in a real-world manner and pushing their cattle based solely on pregnancy.

“Pregnancy has four times greater economic impact than any other production trait,” Lamb says. “Ultimately, when it comes to a beef cattle operation, isn’t pregnancy the number one trait that we should be worrying about? … If a cow does not become pregnant, she cannot calve and she won’t be able to generate any income for the operation.”

The 2015 BIF Annual Convention was hosted by Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Extension Service June 9-12 at the Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel in Biloxi. The Angus Journal and LiveAuctions.tv provide comprehensive online coverage of the event at www.BIFconference.com. Visit the Newsroom for summaries, proceedings, PowerPoints and audio of the sessions; the Awards page for announcements of award winners; and the Photos page for photo galleries of the tour stops.

Editor’s Note: This summary was written under contract or by staff of the Angus Journal®. Through an agreement with the Beef Improvement Federation, we are encouraging reprinting of the articles to those who will adhere to the reprint guidelines available on this site. Please review those guidelines or contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at 816-383-5270. PowerPoints are posted with permission of the presenter and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the presenter.

The Angus Journal's coverage of the event is made possible through collaboration with BIF and sponsorship of LiveAuctions.tv. For questions about this site, or to notify us of broken links, click here. Look for additional coverage in the Angus Journal, the Angus Beef Bulletin, the Angus Journal Daily, the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA and Angus TV.

 

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