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Increasing Genetic Uniformity in Mixed Herds. The Beast. Typical herd Heinz 57 No planned breeding program Purchase cheapest calving-ease bull Obvious inefficiency issues The Problem: How do we efficiently market our product?. Effective Marketing. Begins with a KNOWN product Birth Date
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The Beast • Typical herd • Heinz 57 • No planned breeding program • Purchase cheapest calving-ease bull • Obvious inefficiency issues • The Problem: • How do we efficiently market our product?
Effective Marketing • Begins with a KNOWN product • Birth Date • Genetics • Proven performance (herd history) • If you KNOW how your cattle will perform you and your marketing agent will be better equipped to capture the true value of your cattle.
Artificial Insemination • Use High Quality/Proven Bulls • Better Daily Gains • Improve Carcass Traits • Higher Quality Replacement Heifers
Estrus Synchronization • Breed in Short Timeframe • Increase Pregnancy Rate by 2% adds $11.60 • Fewer Assisted Births: 1.3% AI sired versus 2.9% Natural Service • Lower Death Loss: 3.5% AI sired versus 5.5% Natural Service. Adds $12.21 in value • Shorten Calving Season: 87% to calve in first thirty days • Increase Calf Age by 16 days overall; AI sired calves are on average 27 days older
Spring Calving Pregnancy Check Group % Bred AI % Preg AI Overall Preg %
Weaning Weight Comparison Group Average Weight Age WDA AI on AI 747 lbs 230 days 2.92 AI on Non-AI 691 lbs. 223 days 2.76 Non-AI on AI 720 lbs. 205 days 3.15 Non-AI on Non-AI 625 lbs. 195 days 2.82 Overall 677 lbs. 214 days 2.81
Feedlot Performance Comparison Group Live Wt DOF ADG AI on AI 1373 lbs 165 3.79 AI on Non-AI 1310 lbs 165 3.75 Non-AI on AI 1273 lbs 170 3.25 Non-AI on Non-AI 1258 lbs 180 3.52 Overall 1297 lbs 170 3.71
Group Ch or > Pr CAB Se YG 1 YG 2 YG 3 YG 4 Carcass Performance Spring 2004 Steers
The Value of ESAI at Hillwinds A steer calf that is AI on AI compared to a non-AI calf is worth $78.18 more at weaning and $145.27 more if retained to harvest. An AI calf on a non-AI cow compared to non-AI on non-AI is worth $38.54 more at weaning and $64.31 at harvest. Calves that are non-AI on AI versus non-AI on non-AI are $53.59 more valuable at weaning and $69.24 higher at slaughter.
The cost for ESAI is: Semen $12/straw Prostaglandin $2.15/5 cc Dose GnRH $4 for 2 doses @ 1 ¼ cc Chute/Heat Detection $6/cow Insemination $2.50/cow $26.65 $26.65/.65 estimated AI pregnancy rate = $41 per AI pregnant cow
Cost to Breed a Cow Natural Service Purchase cost $3,000/bull Salvage value of bull $900/bull $2,100/Bull Number of breeding seasons 4 years Number of cows exposed 40 hd/year (Fall and Spring) Bull Cost/Cow Exposed $13.13 Bull Maintenance Cost Feed, Vet, Housing $450/yr or $11.25 $24.38 $24.38/.90 pregnancy rate$27.09/natural service pregnant cow
Cattlemen Wanted More • Approached by Rick Greenwell and Ron Bowman • Cattlemen in their counties felt that their calves were worth more than typical CPH calves and wanted to develop or determine a method to capture that value. • PROBLEM: Mixed Herds! No records! No experience! HIGH risk! Critical Mass!
Cattlemen Wanted More • Solution • Control the sire-side genetics by using ESAI • Side benefit of improving reproductive performance. • Shorten calving seasons • Reduce risk of failure
6-Day Heifer System Timed insemination (72 h) and GnRH PG GnRH CIDR M T W Th F Sa Su M T Day of Treatment
Cow System Timed insemination (60 h) and GnRH PG GnRH CIDR M T W Th F Sa Su M T W Th Day of Treatment
Bulls Used • Washington/Marion/Nelson/Hardin • GAR Predestined, Angus • #1 bull in the breed for $Beef • Moderate frame • Moderate milk • Felton’s Legend, Polled Hereford • #1 bull in breed for marbling • Calving ease; ideal for replacement females
Bulls Used • Others • SS Objective, Angus • Calving ease, 65# WW, 125# YW • High $Beef • Low $Energy, (high milk!) • N Bar Primetime/Basin Rainmaker, Angus • Calving ease, 30-35# WW, 60-65# YW • Low $Beef • High $Energy
Preliminary Accomplishments • Bred approximately 2500 females • 60% AI rate • Range: 20-78% • Three farms bombed, rest were good • Weighed first set of calves • Objective calves were 38# heavier than Rainmaker calves. Herd bull was heavier than Rainmaker but 8 pounds lighter than Obj.
Resynch Heat and AI Heat and AI GnRH PG CIDR CIDR 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 Day of Treatment
Resynch Results Percentage
Why Would I Want to Do This? • >80% of your cows/heifers will calve in 30 days to a proven sire • Increase the number of calves sired by proven genetics that can hit your target markets (i.e. carcass grids) and add value to product • Approximately $150 added revenue per calf if utilize targeted marketing • No bulls? • Help with critical mass?
Summary • ESAI is an option for producers wanting the next step in marketing. • Returns could be greatly increased if producers take advantage of added value of their product • Key: Identify your target and breed to hit that target