Experts urge producers to focus on calf production as cattle prices hit record highs

USA – Record-high cattle prices are prompting producers to refocus on breeding efficiency, with specialists emphasising that profitability hinges on consistently raising calves to market.

“If you’re in the cow-calf segment of the industry, the main driver of profitability is going to be your ability to produce calves,” said Pedro Fontes, Ph.D., associate professor in beef cattle reproductive physiology at the University of Georgia.

“That’s highly dependent on whether we can generate and maintain those pregnancies.”

For a 100-cow herd in the United States, a five per cent increase in pregnancy rates could add about 12,000 dollars in gross revenue, according to Fontes. As global markets continue to rise, the financial benefits of improved herd management extend far beyond U.S. producers.

Fontes said a good goal is a 90 per cent pregnancy rate within a 65-day breeding season, though results may vary depending on production systems and cattle type.

“You might be in a lower input environment, and it could be financially viable to achieve pregnancy rates in the high eighties and still be able to profit from your cow herd,” he noted.

He emphasised the importance of keeping cattle in good condition and working with veterinarians to support herd health.

Breeding early for bigger gains

The timing of conception can also influence profits. “One thing I always try to get folks to think about is getting more pregnancies in those first 21 days of the breeding season,” Fontes said.

“The main reason is we know when cows conceive early, they calve early, and they’re going to be more likely to breed back next year. Not only that, but those calves are weaned heavier because they are older at the time of weaning.”

A benchmark, he added, is having at least 60 per cent of a herd calving within the first three weeks of the season. Estrus synchronisation and artificial insemination (AI) can help achieve this.

“If you synchronise a group of females and expose them to a round of AI, those females expressing estrus will get between 20-30 per cent greater pregnancy rates than the ones that fail to express estrus,” Fontes explained.

Farmers are also using tools such as the ESTROTECT Breeding Indicator patch to monitor heat levels. These aids help determine which cows should be bred with higher-value or sexed semen.

“For those females showing high estrus intensity, more expensive semen or sexed semen can be utilised with higher success,” said Fontes.

Adding value to each calf

Higher-value semen can enhance growth and carcass traits, resulting in stronger long-term returns. Sexed semen offers flexibility as well, with producers able to target steers for higher market value or heifers for herd rebuilding.

“There are a lot of things that can go south when it comes to reproductive management, but if you do the basics right, you’ll be able to make a big impact on pregnancy rates,” Fontes said.

“Beef cows are pretty resilient animals, and if you give them the conditions to perform, they usually do.”

For more information, producers can visit ESTROTECT.com.

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