Advice for ensuring your females breed with ease.
by Christy Couch Lee
h, if only there was a magic wand to ensure Oa female — whether a first-calf heifer or a mature cow — would breed on the first try, every time. Alas, there is not. “Successful breeding is a combination of things done way ahead of breeding season, and things done at the moment of inseminating a female,” says Max Stotz, GKB Cattle, Waxahachie, Texas. “But there is no magic key. It’s simply a combination of many things that I’ve found over the years to be helpful in accomplishing the goal.” Through trial and error and decades in the business, Stotz; Marty Lueck, Journagan Ranch/ Missouri State University (MSU), Springfield, Mo.; and Kyle Gillooly, CES Polled Herefords, Wadley, Ga., say they’ve discovered what works for their operations and for their regions of the country. Stotz has been involved in the Hereford industry since childhood. After graduating from The Ohio State University, he began working for Ace Cattle Co., which became Star Lake Cattle Ranch. Last year, he began managing the cow herd at GKB. For 32 years, Lueck has overseen Journagan’s 3,300 acres and 480 purebred and 150 commercial cows Getting with four employees. Each year, the operation hosts an annual sale and markets up to 100 bulls through the sale and private treaty. Gillooly was raised in the Hereford and Angus business in Indiana. He met his wife, Jennifer, while showing Herefords, and when they were married in 2006, he began managing her grandfather’s Her Bred cattle operation.
66 / May/June 2015 Hereford.org Currently, the CES herd consists of 200 Hereford cows, “Successful breeding is a combination of things 150 Angus cows and 600 commercial females. They are done way ahead of breeding season, and things typically 60% fall calving and done at the moment of inseminating a female. 40% early spring calving. But there is no magic key.” These men say nutrition, vaccination, handling and — Max Stotz bull quality all factor into a successful breeding program. “Our mineral is custom made,” Gillooly begins grazing cattle Necessary nutrition he says. “We did tests on our on rye from December through Lueck says by April they are forages to determine what we early April. He also has conducted preparing for breeding with a lacked. Soil tests can also help you testing on his ground to ensure he strong focus on nutrition. determine what is lacking — maybe supplements only what is needed — “Our idea of nutrition is to make it’s copper, zinc or selenium. We and nothing more. sure they’re on a gaining plane,” think mineral is important and “Depending on the environment he says. “We maintain a mineral feed it year round.” and region of the country, selenium program year round, and by April, Stotz says finding a good should be supplemented,” he says. the grass is hopefully coming.” mineral program can take some “However, in our area, we can A post-calving body score of 4.5 time and patience. get too much selenium with the to 5.5 is ideal, Lueck says. “We’ve gone three or four routes grasses grazed, causing toxicity and “This allows for enough backfat and always come back to the same breeding problems. We’ve known to help make the reproductive one,” he says. “Find something that producers who supplemented with transition,” he says. works for you, and something you high-selenium mineral, and they Heifers at CES begin grain can afford.” dealt with deaths and sicknesses. It’s supplementation at weaning, Gillooly says mineral important for producers to know which continues through breeding, supplementation should never be the minerals they need.” Gillooly says. underestimated. A strong vaccination and “Depending on the time of year, “Minerals are a key issue,” he health program is also essential. we also rely on winter grain — says. “Sometimes, I wonder if Stotz recommends establishing a rye,” he says. “We try to balance it people know just how important relationship with a veterinarian out in the fall with grain through mineral supplementation is. They who can help develop a health breeding. We typically move to rye get tied up with things, and forget protocol for your herd. after we get them bred.” to make sure minerals are on site “You want to be sure the cattle All three men agree — mineral year round. Not just for first-calf are vaccinated against IBR/BVD/ supplementation is critical. And not heifers, but for females getting bred PI3/BRSV, leptospirosis 5-way and just any mineral will do, Lueck says. back, as well.” continued on page 68...
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At nine days after timed AI, seven-day CIDR program in groups “Minerals are a key CIDR®s (controlled internal drug of 40-50,” he says. release) are reinserted. CIDRs are And, Gillooly says, the program to issue. Sometimes, left in for seven days, at which point choose is the one that works for you. I wonder if people they are pulled. “We have used different know just how “We visually watch those cattle protocols, and it all goes back and breed what comes in off to what works,” he says. “I am important mineral natural heat,” Lueck says. “Most will straight heat breeding, because supplementation is.” come back into heat within a two- I didn’t have a lot of success to five-day period. We end up with with timed breeding in our — Kyle Gillooly 80 to 90% being bred.” part of the country. But that’s When possible, Gillooly says, not the case for everyone.” natural heats typically result in What works well at one operation vibriosis,” he says. “You also need better breeding results on his may not work well at another. As a good worming protocol, and operation. He has increased well, what works for a mature cow this all should be done 30 days conception rates by 10%, simply may not work for a first-calf heifer before breeding season. Timely by watching cows for three weeks when it comes to breeding. applications of vaccines and straight and breeding naturally, breeding go hand in hand.” before programming begins in The cow versus the heifer Once a nutrition and the fall. Lueck says his operation keeps vaccination program is established, “We try to breed off natural first-calf heifers and mature determining the best breeding heats,” he says. “Mother Nature’s cows separate. protocol for your operation is key heat cycle is better than any “It’s not that we’ll pamper them,” to successful breeding. manmade heat cycle, from what he explains. “But we can take them I’ve seen.” into a drought, if necessary, and Proper protocols However, breeding protocols get them on a bit better plane of At Journagan Ranch/MSU, Lueck also are greatly dependent on the nutrition. The mature cows should says, timed breeding protocols amount of labor available on the be tough enough to be able to are used. All heifers are bred via operation, Gillooly says. breed back.” artificial insemination (AI) twice, “We aren’t ‘over-employed’ on In the past, Lueck says, he often and, sometimes, cows are bred our operation, so for those not bred supplemented 6 to 7 lb. of grain twice, too. on natural heats, we typically do a to heifers per day. Today, that has dropped to 2 to 3 lb. “After that process, we have more 2 year olds breeding back,” he says. “They may not look as pretty, but they get enough. And we have a 93-94% pregnancy rate, which is way above the national average for first-time heifers.” Stotz says many producers try to breed first-calf heifers to calve 30 days before mature cows begin to allow for extra attention to be given to those heifers. Although he doesn’t practice that theory, he does recommend separating 2 year olds from mature cows. “Grouping 2 year olds and harder-doing cows together can be good,” he says. “Sometimes, they need a little extra nutrition and energy, more than the mature cows.” The same is true at GKB, Stotz says. Mature cows are kept on grass, while first-calf heifers are separated to be given extra Grouping cattle and supplementing 2-year-old and harder-doing cattle together can help increase attention, if needed. conception rates.
68 / May/June 2015 Hereford.org “Younger cattle who may be temperature to come down before When the timing is right for thinner or harder doing will be I go in with a straw of semen and breeding, proper heat detection is supplemented with grain to keep expect it to work,” he says. “Last needed — a skill more critical than body condition up,” he says. “We year, we didn’t make it to Denver. some might imagine. like to see the females in a gaining We had lined up fall-calving cows state during the breeding process.” for breeding in January. The week Honing in on heat In addition to proper care and we pulled CIDRs, the weather Stotz says heat detection can be attention, Stotz says, facilities are turned 75 and 80 degrees — it a great challenge in breeding, also important for breeding success. increased 20 degrees in a matter primarily for the time that can of days. Cows were hot and be involved. Cool and collected coming into heat, and it’s the worst “Many people have another job, “Keeping the facility as dark as conception rate we’ve had since I’ve and they don’t have the time to possible, out of sunlight, can be been in Georgia.” sit and watch their females several beneficial,” he explains. “Set up Because of the fluctuations of times a day — especially to watch your facility in a way that cattle are temperature during winter months several groups for 20 or 30 minutes handled with ease. If a cow gets in the south, Gillooly says, CES each time,” he says. “Checking heat worked up, her body temperature typically avoids breeding during early in the morning and evening rises, and a high body temperature months of vast temperature swings. can be ideal. Many times, I check can kill semen. If you do have a cow “So many times in Georgia, three times a day.” get worked up, it’s best to let her the temperature can be so up and Heat detection aids can be stand for a half hour to an hour, in down from December to February beneficial for those short on time, order for her body temperature to — and it’s tough on conception Stotz says. drop again.” rates,” he says. “By the time April “Paint and heat patches can work Gillooly says hot weather days can comes around, the temperature is well — and you can get as advanced also cause difficulty in breeding. back in the mid-70s and 80s, and as a heat watch system,” he says. “I “If we’re still in a warming the cows adapt and get bred back want to see them stand, visually. But pattern in the fall, I will wait for the more easily.” continued on page 70...
Top tips from the experts Marty Lueck, Journagan Ranch/Missouri State University (MSU), you don’t want to breed too late,” he says. “The rule of Springfield, Mo.; Max Stotz, GKB Cattle, Waxahachie, Texas; and thumb is 12 hours. Ideally, you can pinpoint the time of the Kyle Gillooly, CES Polled Herefords, Wadley, Ga., say many factors first mount and breed 12 hours later.” weigh into successful breeding. Here are a few of their top tips. Gillooly agrees, saying that, sometimes, up to 18 hours 1) Know your vaccines. “I often ask our company after standing heat can provide great success. It’s a matter of representatives about new products coming out,” Lueck determining what works best in your herd. says. “I tell them my problems, and see if they have “Sometimes, at 18 hours, the body temperature is a something that can help.” bit lower and the reproductive tract is easier to get a gun through,” he says. “The main thing is to watch heats closely 2) Use technology. “Google can be a great tool for and breed accordingly.” technologically savvy breeders to begin research for problems they may be having,” Lueck says. “Sometimes, a 6) When in doubt, double up. “If you have a problem cow or search can lead to a person who can share information and you’re just not sure of the exact timing, go ahead and breed wisdom. As well, how-to videos can be greatly beneficial for her at night and again in the morning,” Stotz says. “Semen breeders who are just starting out.” is pretty cheap when it’s all said and done — especially considering missing a heat cycle costs you money, too.” 3) Be patient. “Sometimes, it’s difficult for new breeders to be patient,” Lueck says. “But patience is a great attribute in 7) Know before you go. When bringing cattle into a different the cattle business. To be able to understand the business, it environment than that in which they’re raised, it’s important takes time. There are no shortcuts to building a program.” to understand the adaptation needed, Gillooly says. “You must understand the environment in which they’re 4) Hone in on heat. “Proper heat detection is a big issue,” raised, and where they’re going,” he says. “When cattle go Stotz says. “People are so busy these days, they don’t have into a new environment with different grasses, you must time to sit and watch groups for 20-30 minutes several be aware of what issues those cattle might go through times a day. But the more time spent in the heat detection during the change — some of which could affect process, the better your success rate will be.” conception rates.” HW 5) Time it right. Stotz says once heat is detected, breeding timing is essential. “You don’t want to breed too early, and
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for three months of the year. We “The least amount of time the “It’s important to then put them on a grain diet to give semen is handled or exposed to air, them a break for four to five months, the better,” Stotz says. “From the have a good bull, to get back to condition.” stud to the neighbor’s tank to your and to check him Gillooly says CES AIs tank to breeding a cow — all of prior to turnout.” approximately 75% of its cow herd those times, the semen is exposed and flushes 10-15 donor cows to normal temperature. And if — Marty Lueck several times a year for embryo that’s done four or five times, the transfer (ET). Although he is a semen will begin to be damaged.” believer in both ET and AI, Gillooly These men will tell you, they have there will be times I check at 7 in says the bull herd should never take often learned their greatest lessons the evening and in the morning — a backseat in quality. through finding out what does not but a female may only be in heat for “Even if you use AI and ET, work. They say mistakes are simply three hours in the morning, and I your program should still produce part of the growing experience. miss it. A tool or aid doesn’t replace, bulls equivalent to those used in but it does assist.” AI,” he says. “We not only produce Areas for improvement Proper protocols and techniques bulls for commercial breeders, but Stotz says the biggest mistakes are essential. However, these men also for ourselves.” he sees producers make are not say a producer simply can’t overlook And, Gillooly says, if a bull isn’t following a proper vaccination the basics of getting females bred performing as well as hoped for a program or not having their cows in — the bull and semen. producer, an investment in a better- proper condition for breeding. The performing bull can be beneficial. latter can go either way, with them Back to the bull “Sometimes, you get what you being either too fat or too thin. Lueck says bulls are critical to the pay for,” he says. “If you’re in “Typically, when someone comes success of any breeding program. business to make money, it can be to me saying they can’t get their “It’s important to have a good wise to put money where calves cow bred, I start asking questions,” bull, and to check him prior to will be most affected. If you’re he says. “Most of the time, the turnout,” he says. going to use top bulls in your AI female is too fat, or the nutrition Stotz agrees: Monitoring your program, you might as well have a isn’t adequate to get the blood bull is often underestimated. backup with a bull that has a strong levels where they need to be. If a “Sometimes, guys turn out a bull pedigree and proven numbers that female gets bred but passes, it can and kind of forget him,” he says. can give you the calves you desire.” be due to vaccination. Many times, “But he needs to be monitored for More producers are purchasing they bring the females to us, and health and lameness. If he starts bulls as yearlings, rather than at we can get them bred in 60 days. limping, that must be taken care of 18 months or 2 years of age. And And it’s often by an adjustment to right away.” this change has also added new one of those three things.” Maintaining proper condition challenges to the mix, Stotz says. Lueck recommends new and not overworking bulls are also “You need to make sure those producers find a mentor in the important, Gillooly says. young bulls know what they’re industry — one who has found “We don’t overwork bulls,” he says. doing when you turn them out,” he success with his breeding program. “Bulls are on commercial females says. “You need to monitor any bull “We all make mistakes,” he — especially a yearling — says. “The thing about mistakes — for the first three or four if you learn from them, they can days to a week. Make sure be the best-learned experiences. if a cow is in heat, he’s A mentor in the industry can help getting the job done. You prevent you from stumbling too can’t afford to wait 60-90 much. Find someone who will visit days to find out all of the with you about nutrition, breeding cows are open.” and genetics.” Semen handling can No, there’s no magic wand to also play a critical role in ensure breeding success. But by success during breeding. applying these tips and theories to When purchased your operation, perhaps breeding from bull studs, semen will be a bit less stressful and a bit is supposed to meet more successful, too. HW minimum standards, Stotz says. Don’t forget the bull. Be sure to check your bull battery before turn-out time.
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