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Tools for herd development

 

Project Details

Approach

Technology and decision-making tools assist in maintaining consistent practices and achieving set goals. This project showcases strategies for breeding stock selection, culling, breeding management, and utilization of technology in herd decision-making.

Key Findings

Breed Composition: The development of the baseline Angus herd is is achieved through use of Black Angus bulls and purchase of straight-bred Black Angus bred heifers.

Heifer Development: As overall herd production and conformation improves from breeding management and the culling strategy, the number of potential replacement heifers with desirable traits has increased. Calf gain, dam udder, and calving cycles are considered when choosing replacement heifers.

Cross-breeding Strategy: As of 2022, two Hereford bulls have been purchased for phase 1 and the development of the F1 cross maternal herd.

  • Phase 1: Straight-bred Black Angus cows (breeding season at Brookdale Farm)

    • Bred to Hereford (F1 Black Baldy calves), or

    • Bred to Black Angus

  • Phase 2: Crossbred Angus cows – terminal calf crop (breeding season at Johnson Farm and First Street Pasture)

    • Bred to Black Angus, or

    • Bred to Hereford (in phase 2 will bring in terminal cross with rotating continental sires)

Culling Strategy: Farm profitability, human safety, and fulfillment of research requirements have improved with the application of consistent culling criteria. Disposition, reproductive fitness, and conformation traits are utilized in the culling strategy.

Genetic Performance Indicators: For the first four years of data, there are no consistent trends in calf gains compared to parent breed, hybrid vigour, or other genetic performance indicators (Igenity® Beef Indices).

MBFI Cow herd breed composition in 2019, 2021, and 2022 as determined by genetic testing.

Calf average daily gain (ADG) by year.

Calf 205-day adjusted weaning weight by sire breed.

Full Reports:

Industry Resources:

This topic was published April 22, 2022 and last revised March 31, 2023.