Importance of a Controlled Breeding Season Landon Marks

Importance of a Controlled Breeding Season Landon Marks Regional Extension Agent Animal Science and Forages Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Controlled Breeding Season • Definition- A specific season of the year in which many animals mate to ensure offspring are produced only at a time of the year when environmental conditions and food supply are optimum 5/26/2021 Source: Dictionary of Biology, 2004 2

Controlled Breeding Season • A controlled breeding season starts with a bull pen away from the cows • The mentality of using year-round calving as a savings account must be changed 5/26/2021 3

Controlled Breeding Season • A controlled breeding season allows for: – matching nutritional needs of the herd to forage resources – more intense monitoring of breeding and calving – working more calves of a similar age at once – calves of uniform age at sale time that can be sold in groups to capture group sale premiums 5/26/2021 4

Controlled Calving Season Rules of Thumb • 90 day calving season • 60% of cows calve in first 30 days • Breed heifers first 5/26/2021 5

Controlled Breeding/Calving Season • Implementation of a controlled breeding and calving season can be accomplished over time without sacrificing production 5/26/2021 6

Controlled Calving Season • Three year plan for converting from yearround calving to a 90 day calving season † 90 day calving season 5/26/2021 Source: Parish and Rhinehart, 2008 7

Controlled Calving Season An Arkansas study examined how the results of changing the length of a calving season in 6 herds influenced productivity and returns • Changing calving seasons from an average of 273 days to 85 days long, required an average of 3. 8 years 5/26/2021 Source: Troxel and Barham, 2009 8

Controlled Calving Season Arkansas Study Cont’d: • Herd breakeven cost was reduced by 30% • Specific costs per animal unit was reduced by 40% • Income per animal unit was increased by 100% 5/26/2021 9

Controlled Calving Season Spring Calving Advantages • Little feed supplementation needed • Shorter calving interval (10 days) • Weaning time/available labor • Increased weaning weight 5/26/2021 Spring Calving Disadvantages • Seasonal market highs are typically in spring • Calf birth weights are higher • Breeding back in hot weather • Heifers days to calving 10

Controlled Calving Season Fall Calving Advantages • Seasonal market highs in the spring • Cool-season forages better quality • Cool-season annuals • Fewer reproductive issues (breeding in cool weather) 5/26/2021 Fall Calving Disadvantages • Feed supplementation usually needed during peak lactation • Longer calving intervals • Lighter weaning weights 11

Conclusions • Do the easy things first • Match breeding and calving season to food supply and available labor • Match breeding and calving season with optimal calf markets to increase profitability • Set goals and achieve them 5/26/2021 12

Questions? Visit www. aces. edu/beefsystems The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Everyone is welcome! © 2017 Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All rights reserved. 5/26/2021 13