Possibilities with today's reproductive technologies

Reproductive efficiency is critical to economic viability for cow/calf producers; however, very few producers take advantage of available reproductive technologies that can increase profitability. Today, more opportunities are available for producers who want to capture value from known genetics. Through the use of artificial insemination (AI), the average producer has access to a wide range of high-accuracy sires that can be selected to match production goals. Systems to synchronize estrus and ovulation can now produce pregnancy rates to a single fixed-timed AI that are 10-15% greater than those of the previous generation. Increased age and weight of calves at weaning is sufficient in some situations to pay for the cost of synchronization and AI. As a result of synchronization, more cows calve early the next year and in subsequent years of synchronization. The breeding season can be shortened without reducing end-of-season pregnancy rates, since synchronized cows have one more chance to conceive than unsynchronized cows in a 22-25 day interval. Cow nutrition can be more economically and precisely managed with a shorter breeding period. Producers that establish AI programs now will be prepared to take advantage of newly identified superior genetics or other technologies, e.g. sexed semen, when they become available. Trends towards more value-based marketing and improvements in pregnancy rates from synchronization systems, make this a key time to be aware of the possibilities using reproductive technologies.