Madison County is the second largest beef cattle producing county in the state of KY with approximately 71,000 head. Proper management of reproduction in cattle contributes to increased productivity and profitability on the farm. Since early 2015 the UK Beef Integrated Reproductive Management (IRM) team and Madison County ANR agent have worked with a Madison County beef producer to increase reproductive efficiency in their herd. 

UK Extension Beef Specialists and the Madison County ANR agent have made numerous visits to the farm giving suggestions for improvement. Changes made include: converting to controlled spring and fall calving seasons by utilizing estrus synchronization, timed breeding, ration balancing and hay testing for an improved overall nutrition program, adjusting the vaccination and mineral feeding program, culling of low performance cows, applying fertilizer to pastures for increased grazing days, using artificial insemination to incorporate improved genetics into the herd, and retaining high quality crossbred heifers as replacements.

In addition, through involvement with the IRM project, a Natural Resource Conservation Service approved winter hay feeding structure was installed using state cost share funds. This has greatly reduced the amount of wasted hay and muddy conditions that can lead to difficulty and inefficiency. 

From 2015 to 2018 many aspects of the herd performance improved including: a 26% increase in the number of cows that conceived, a 34 pound average increase in calf weaning weight, a 49 pound average increase in replacement heifer weight at first breeding and a 6,720 pound increase in total pounds of calf sold. Using the current average market value for a 550 lb steer/heifer, since 2015 this farm increased income by approximately $9,320.64 by adopting the practices recommended in the UK Beef IRM project.