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, 35 producers enrolled in the program to learn how to control the calving season. These producers represented 23 different counties with a total of 3,421 cows. The calving season was reduced by 110 days and the overall pregnancy rate at the end of the breeding season increased 6%. Weaning weights increased 35 pounds. Revenue increased $3,025.19 per cooperator. Increased production efficiency, as a result of this program, increased gross revenue 28% 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 over $3,000 per cooperator.