The
most inefficient cow is the one that fails to cycle and breed.
Seven Ways To Improve Reproductive Performance:
Semen test bulls
prior to breeding.
Cows scoring BCS
4 or lower normally experience 60 percent or lower pregnancy
rate. The ideal range BCS is 5 through
7 for top reproductive performance. The
ideal body condition for heifers is BCS 6.
Cows scoring
BCS 8 or 9 exhibit
lower reproductive performance and higher maintenance cost.
Cows must have
a positive energy balance to cycle and breed successfully.
Cows in a negative energy balance (losing weight) simply will
not cycle and breed. A negative energy balance may be a result
of poor quality forages or low dry matter intakes.
Feeds containing
high levels of molds can reduce reproductive performance.
Always provide fresh feeds during breeding season.
Always provide
clean, fresh water to assure proper hydration and dry matter
intakes.
A balanced, complete
mineral program will help assure a strong immune system and
healthy reproductive track for optimum reproductive performance.
Little evidence
of fat deposits but some muscling in hindquarters. The spinous
processes feel sharp to the touch and are easily seen, with
space between them.
Beginning of
fat cover over the loin, back and foreribs. Backbone still
highly visible. Processes of the spine can be identified
individually by touch and may still be visible. Spaces between
the processes are less pronounced.
Foreribs not
noticeable; 12th and 13th ribs still noticeable to the eye,
particularly in cattle with a big spring of rib and ribs
wide apart. The transverse spinous processes can be identified
only by palpation (with slight pressure) to feel rounded
rather than sharp. Full but straightness of muscling in
the hindquarters.
12th and 13th
ribs not visible to the eye unless animal has been shrunk.
The transverse spinous processes can only be felt with
firm pressure to feel rounded–not noticeable to the
eye. Spaces between the processes not visible and only
distinguishable with firm pressure. Areas on each side
of the tail head are fairly well filled but not rounded.
Ribs fully covered,
not noticeable to the eye. Hindquarters plump and full.
Noticeable sponginess to covering of foreribs and on each
side of the tail head. Firm pressure now required to feel
transverse processes.
Ends of the spinous
processes can only be felt with very firm pressure. Spaces
between processes can barely be distinguished at all. Abundant
fat cover on either side of tail head with some patchiness
evident.
