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, experiential 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 four years are depicted in the table below.

Prior to the 2018 breeding season, seven cows were culled, for reasons including failure to conceive, feet/legs, udder quality, size, age, and were replaced with seven purchased bred heifers. All breeding age females were subjected to a timed-AI protocol in the fall of 2018. Results from the pregnancy diagnosis this spring indicate that all but one cow conceived, almost 60% conceived AI, and all in an expected calving window of less than 40 days. When we look at the increase in weaning weight per cow exposed to the bull, from 2015 to 2018, an increase of 82 pounds (310 lbs to 392 lbs) was observed. Using an average market value (average of steer and heifer) for a 300 lb calf ($188/cwt) and 400 lb calf ($176/cwt), this 82-pound increase equates to an additional revenue of $104 per cow.

The results from Mr. Hamilton’s operation over the last four years are depicted below. These numbers are just a snapshot at the progress that has been made. The decreased calving season length, the increased production, the increased efficiency. All made possible through the desire to improve, the willingness to make changes, and the adoption of production practices that favor high reproductive rates. The cowherd is not recognizable compared to the start of the program and frankly, these changes in numbers don’t do it justice. Mr. Hamilton now has a herd where temperament is no longer an issue, feet, legs, and udders are better, cow size has decreased, weaning weights have increased, a stringent health program is in place, estrous synchronization and AI are implemented, and condensed calving seasons are regularly maintained. However, above all else, we have completely changed the behavior of the producer. He has a herd to be proud of and rightfully so.

In summary, the results at Mr. Hamilton’s are substantial. The calving season length has been shortened from 342 days to 45-day calving season. This reduction in calving season length was possible through controlling exposure to the bull and implementing an estrous synchronization program and AI. The pounds weaned per cow exposed increased over 80 pounds in spite of replacing several mature cows with heifers. The increased productivity has resulted in an increase of $2,675 increase in revenue.