In 2015 a new concept in beef cattle production was introduced by the University of Kentucky Extension IRM Team. It was called the Integrated Reproductive Management Program. This program is a multidisciplinary program that assists producers by educating them on making changes or improvements in their individual operations to ultimately increase farm profitability. These practices include having a defined calving season, herd health program and a sound nutritional program.

     Three Perry County beef producers, representing 140 brood cows, are participating in this program.

     This is a long-term project that combines education in the classroom with an extensive hands-on, learn by doing approach.

     On a regional basics this program has made tremendous impact in the eight years of it being implemented.

      220 farms are enrolled in the program, 3 of which are from Perry County. This represents 5500 cows. 60 producers moved from a year around calving season to a controlled calving season. 40 producers moved from an extended calving season to a controlled calving season. 25 of the producers with a controlled calving season increased their reproduction rate efficiency by using synchronization protocols for natural service and artificial insemination for both spring and fall calving. The average conception rate increased by 10%. They saw a 20% increase in heifer AI conception rate and added an average of 160 pounds on weaning weights.

     The cooperators in the program have weaned, on average 190,000 more pounds annually than the beginning of the program which resulted in an annual increase in revenue of $300,000.

      In Perry County we assisted the cooperators with implementation of Individual production plans. Farm visits were and are still being conducted to ensure that the production plans were followed. The ANR Agent assisted in Heifer evaluations and scored pelvic areas for calving ease. We also made recommendations on culling unsatisfactory and unproductive animals.

     Evaluations from this program continue to show a higher success rate than the regional averages. We achieved a 95% pregnancy rate. This is a 15% improvement from the beginning of the program. 78% of the cows in the program calved in the first 30 days of the calving season, and the calving season was reduced by 56 days. Having a shorter calving season can increase the value of the calves by $80.00 from an uncontrolled calving season.

     One of the Perry County participants said that this program has helped is operation in several ways. He said it allowed for a tighter grouping of calves, stricter culling standards for animals that is not making him maximum profits. He said he had also improved his herd genetics through artificial insemination and better natural bull selection and stated that the wealth of information he has received is priceless.  This producer was so impressed by the results obtained from artificial insemination that he became certified and is now doing his own artificial insemination. He went from a 50% AI conception rate to a 70% conception rate. He is also making major improvements to his handling facilities. He received a CAIP grant and a USDA Grant, which he used to construct a feeding pad with a hay fence-line feeding structure and grain feeding system. Total improvements have exceeded $60,000.

     One of the Perry County producers has switched from a spring to a fall calving season and reported this has resulted in weaning weight increases, increase profits and less winter related mortality.

     One of the Perry County producers is now using the new experimental sexed semen to add to his farm profits by selecting male calves, which usually bring more on the market as feeders. With this year’s market prices, he has nearly doubled his profit from his beef herd.

The problem

The educational program response

The participants/target audience

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Program impact or participant response.