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.

Hamilton Farms has been a part of the UK Farm Program since 2015. Mr. Hamilton resides in Bracken County and runs a small herd of Limousin-influenced cattle. In the first year of the program, the cows that calved in the spring of 2015 were held open until the fall breeding season. In 2015, only 56% of the cows calved in the desired window. Six cows were sold in 2015 for various reasons that included: age, feet/leg problems, and not having a calf. Two open replacement heifers were purchased as well. Mr. Hamilton was also interested in the benefits of using estrous synchronization and AI. In the first breeding season in the program, 12 cows were bred using a timed-AI protocol. He had one late-calving cow that received a CIDR device to help move her up in the calving season. Half of the females conceived to the AI, 12 of the 13 cows had and weaned a calf, and 100% of the herd calved in the desired window. The calving season took place in a 60-day window, beginning September 9^th and ending on November 11^th. When we look at the increase in weaning weight per cow exposed to the bull, from 2015 to 2016, an increase of 88 pounds (311 lbs to 399 lbs) was observed. Using the current market value (average of steer and heifer) for a 300 lb calf ($155/cwt) and 400 lb calf ($146/cwt), this 88-pound increase equates to an additional revenue of $119 per cow. 

In 2016, Mr. Hamilton added five replacement heifers, increasing his herd size to 18 total breeding age females. Pleased with the first year results, Mr. Hamilton wanted to implement estrous synchronization and AI again in the fall of 2016. Based upon the pregnancy diagnosis information from this spring, 17 of the 18 females were confirmed pregnant and 75% conceived AI. Two cows that calved in November 2015, received a CIDR device before being exposed to the bull. Pregnancy diagnosis indicated that both females will calve in mid-October this fall. The estimated calving season length for fall 2017 is anticipated to be only 36 days based upon the pregnancy diagnosis. The results from Mr. Hamilton’s operation over the last two years are depicted in the table below.

The UK IRM Farm Program has made a tremendous impact on this farm. The calving season length was shortened from 342 days to 46 days, increased weaning percentage, and increased the pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed by 155 pounds that results in an increase of $4,635 increase in revenue.