Reproductive Systems for North American Beef Cattle Herds

Abstract

A systems approach to beef cattle reproduction facilitates evaluating the flow of cattle through the herd population based on temporal changes in reproductive and production state. The previous years' timing of calving has either a positive or negative effect on the present year's reproductive success. In order to create and maintain high reproductive success, one must focus on: developing heifers to become pregnant early in the breeding season, ensuring bull breeding soundness, aligning the calving period with optimal resource availability, managing forage and supplementation to ensure good cow body condition going into calving, and minimizing reproductive losses due to disease.

Keywords: Beef cattle; Breeding soundness examination of bulls; Heifer development; Postpartum anestrous; Reproductive momentum; Veterinary services.