| dc.description.abstract | Two experiments were conducted to evaluate producer management decisions that may impact beef cattle reproductive efficiency. The over-arching hypothesis was that critical breeding management decisions would positively influence pregnancy rate, calving distribution, and calf weaning weights in crossbred beef cows. In experiment 1, the objectives were to assess two different breeding systems on reproductive and offspring outcomes in North Dakota beef herds, conduct partial budget analyses on each operation, and evaluate production, performance and profit outcomes within/across herds for each breeding system with the use of surveys, tests of knowledge, and focus group discussions. Cattle from 10 commercial beef herds were randomly assigned to one of two breeding systems: 1) only exposed to natural service herd bulls (CON), or 2) exposed to ovulation synchronization and fixed-time AI followed by natural service bulls (TAI, fixed-time artificial insemination). Producers were also enrolled in the Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software and the Farm Business Management programs. A greater proportion of calves were born early in the calving season to cows exposed to TAI and subsequent calves were heavier at weaning compared to calves born from CON cows. Producer perceived understanding increased for every parameter tested by the end of the experiment. In experiment 2, the objective was to evaluate the use of an injectable trace mineral supplement on reproductive and offspring outcomes in North Dakota beef herds. Cattle from 4 commercial beef herds were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) administered an injectable trace mineral supplement 30 d before breeding, or 2) administered no additional treatments prior to breeding. The injectable trace mineral supplement did not have any effect on pregnancy, weaning weights of calves at the side of cows, or calving distribution. Producers may be able to enhance profitability with the use of selected management strategies including the use of estrus synchronization and AI, record keeping and performance programs, and the inclusion of injectable trace mineral supplements. Selection of management strategies that fit individual operations will be key in terms of increasing profitability as well as decreasing stress of producers. | en_US |
