Reproductive success governs production efficiency in beef cow-calf operations. The University of Kentucky Beef Integrated Reproductive Management (Beef IRM) team developed a multi-disciplinary program to help cattlemen adopt production practices that favor high reproductive rates in their cow herds. The educational model of this program combines traditional classroom with an extensive hands-on, learn-by-doing methodology. UK Extension employs this model as an effort to increase behavior modification. The UK IRM Farm Program is designed to be a long-term project (5-7 years) in order to accurately demonstrate the impact of controlling reproduction. 

Last year, 75 producers enrolled in the program performed estrous synchronization and AI. These producers represented 35 different counties with a total of 3,321 cows. The average conception rate to AI in these herds was 56% and the overall pregnancy rate at the end of the breeding season was 89%, and increase of 6%. Weaning weights increased 39 pounds. Revenue increased $3,129.23 per cooperator . Increased production efficiency, as a result of this program, increased gross revenue 29% for each producer.

The UK IRM Farm Program has made a tremendous impact on producers that did not have an established calving season. Cooperators increased the use of recommended production practices and increased revenue by over $3,000 per cooperator.