Getting cows bred and keeping them bred during the summer can be a challenge. Heat stress takes a toll on early-term pregnancy, and with temps already warming up to the mid-70s in April across much of the Midwest, it seems like environmental extremes might just reach new heights this year. That’s why BioZyme® Inc., makers of […]
Category: Breeding/Calving
Turning Profit Starts with Live Calves
There are a lot of variables to turning a profit in the cattle business. But, one thing is certain; if you don’t have a healthy calf born during calving for each cow exposed at breeding time the odds are already stacked against you. North Dakota rancher Wade Wilson was facing these very challenges and more […]
Tips to Building a Successful Breeding Program
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 […]
Progressive Cattleman Breeds Cattle with Commercial Producers’ Bottom Line in Mind
Among the hills of Northern California exists a three-generation seedstock operation that is striving to produce the kind of cattle that will add profit to their commercial bull buyers’ herds. Dan and Chris Byrd started Byrd Cattle Co. at Red Bluff, Calif., more than 40 years ago. Ty and Brooke, their two children enjoyed showing […]
5 Tips to Shorten Calving Intervals
Optimum productivity should be the goal of each cow-calf producer, and that productivity begins with cows producing at least one calf every year. With proper management, good health protocols and a quality nutrition program, that goal is easily attainable. Shortened calving intervals – or the time between the birth of one calf and the subsequent birth of the […]
Progressive Cattleman: Tips for Growing Bulls During Summer Heat
Oil and water. Cats and dogs. Bull fertility and summer heat. All of these are things that don’t necessarily mesh. When it comes to reproductive performance of your herd, you work hard to make sure your cows are in an ideal body condition and are reproductively sound; however, the bull’s reproductive health and condition also […]
Bringing the Heat to Optimize Operation
Imagine the anticipation of calving season to get one calf from your entire herd. The next year isn’t much better, but you double your pregnancy rates, and get two live calves on the ground. However, those two calves represent a small fraction of your herd. You’d probably start looking for a few answers. That’s exactly […]
Matheny Herefords Embraces the Amaferm® Advantage
“I’m a big believer in Amaferm® and the advantages it gives your cattle in gut health, digestibility of forages, feed conversion and overall consumption.” Andrew Matheny understands and values the importance of a high-quality mineral program. His registered Hereford herd benefits from the Amaferm advantage through all phases of production, from conception to birth, weaning […]
Prepare for a Successful Embryo Transfer Program
Propagating superior genetics with the use of advanced reproductive technologies requires an investment in time, labor and finances. The outcome will often result in outstanding offspring that will share genotype and phenotypic make-up of the parents. If you are going to go to the time and expense of breeding cattle using a technology like Embryo […]
Making the Transition to Your Summertime Mineral
For many spring-calving cow herds across the country, breeding season is just beginning. This means you will want to give your cows every advantage you can to get them bred and keep them bred, especially through the heat of the summer. Progressive cattle producers across the country have learned to rely on the VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® […]
