GFM Network News

More News →

Tag Archives cattle breeding

Understanding bull EPDs is important when making selection decisions, and Roy Lewis asks if there should be some adjustments made to scrotal circumference measurements.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

A few key points on producing livestock

Animal Health with Roy Lewis: A mixed bag of things to consider, and important topics to discuss with your local vet

By
With my training and experience as a veterinary practice owner, later in the pharmaceutical industry and also as a beef producer myself, I question things from several different angles. If there is a more practical, safe or cost-effective way of doing things, that’s the road I take. When veterinarians give advice. it’s also important that […] Read more
Breeding bulls need time and proper rations to recover after the breeding season.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Bulls need lots of TLC during the post-breeding season

Check for any health problems and make sure they have proper feed, including minerals

By
As a beef nutritionist, I recommend that bulls during the post-breeding season be given lots of attention, namely a physical exam, a good summer/fall-feeding program (winter programs to follow) and implementing other timely considerations. This will help both mature bulls maintain and young ones achieve body condition and health, which will contribute to next year’s […] Read more
Prep heifers for breeding and calving
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Prep heifers for breeding and calving

Bred or unbred, these animals need energy to grow

By
Many producers are retaining more replacement heifers than in previous years. There are many good reasons to do so, but if so they should assure that unbred replacements are receiving adequate midwinter nutrition in order to be ready for breeding in the spring and ready to give birth to their first healthy calf. Given that […] Read more
Once breeding season is over, bulls need to be on decent grass with proper minerals so they can rebuild body condition for next year.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Bulls need to rebuild after breeding season

A proper feed and mineral program prepares them for next year

By
By midsummer, most producers pull their bulls from the spring cow herd, mainly to maintain a desirable 60-day breeding season and to avoid any temporary sterility caused by heat stress. As a beef nutritionist, I advocate that bulls be treated with lots of attention during the post-breeding season. They should be put on a good […] Read more
The cost of pregnancy and depreciation of an animal are two costs people often don’t value enough, says one Montana cattle producer.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Breeding strategies might break the accepted mould

Think about what you're trying to achieve and the best way to get there

By
A change in direction for a cow-calf producer’s operation is sometimes required for a wide range of reasons from market shifts to personal finances. To modify breeding strategies or reproductive timelines and tactics, several decisions need to be made. Billy Whitehurst, owner and operator of Makale Livestock in Whitehall, Montana, has been in the cattle […] Read more
Make sure cows have a good body condition score and aim for a 60-day breeding and calving season.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

A short 60-day breeding season leads to profit

Produces a more uniform batch of calves and higher weaning weights

By
The calving season is well underway on the Prairies, with some cow-calf operations calving with snow on the ground, while others plan to calve on pasture. Regardless of the starting date, the length of the calving season is directly related to the length of the previous breeding season. Research shows moving toward a desirable 60-day […] Read more
Ed Snook, owner of Snook Ranch.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

A.I. has fit with commercial herds

Effective means to tap into the best genetics

By
Artificial Insemination (A.I.) is an efficient and quick method to improve the genetics of a cow herd, and it’s becoming more popular with commercial cattle producers as training/certification programs become available. A.I. has opened the door for commercial cattlemen to breed to the very best bulls in the industry, allowing them to use the large […] Read more
Mom, Heather Eppich and son Joseph, saddled up for a ride.
Cattleman’s Corner, FarmLife, Livestock

Breeding season begins

With moisture to help the grass, cows and bulls head out to pasture

By
May turned out to be a warm month. We were lucky enough to get several rainstorms toward the end of May and beginning of June — very happy to get the much-needed moisture. On May 12 our last Bannerlane heifer calved. There was only one foot presented so we put her in the maternity pen […] Read more
A newborn black angus calf with it's mother
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Very doable synchronization programs

Animal Health: Timing and attention to detail are key for breeding beef by AI

By
Several factors must be considered when deciding what AI synchronization program to use in your herd. One of the first is whether you have the time to heat detect yourself or if you want timed breeding. Cost is a consideration, as timed AI programs require more financial commitment and more passes through the chute. The three main synchronization programs I find most successful […] Read more

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Sponsored By:
More Videos →

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast

Latest Market News

More Market News →