The Eastern Kentucky Integrated Reproduction Management Program was designed by the University of Kentucky Beef Extension Specialist Program to improve beef production in Eastern Kentucky. Knott County has had five different cow/calf farmers participate in the program through the past five years. After these years in the program, all the farm operations now have a controlled calving season. Also, the new opportunities and the concepts they acquired from the program have enabled them to increase additional pounds of beef for an added growth in return on investments. 

The operations were grouped by length of calving season and the desire to improve productivity using estrous synchronization and artificial insemination. Each created an individual production plan to help guide them throughout this project. They use a simple, electronic record-keeping system developed to aid operators in determining the impact of changes in the management system. The individual plans included various evaluated and maintenance records, such as routine vaccinations, deworming, hay analysis, ration balancing, quality minerals, including developing a genetic and reproductive plan. 

Over the program years, there have been more than 100 beef cattle farms participating. Operations have reduced the days in the calving season by developing either single or dual (spring and fall) calving seasons, which has improved pregnancy rates by 12%, with that being an additional 100 calves valued at $99,000. The estimated return on investment for this particular group of operators was approximately $4,000. 

Of the twenty-one operations with extended calving seasons, adoption of recommendations resulted in a 14% improved pregnancy efficiency rate, equating to 77 additional calves (42,350 pounds) at a value of $84,700. By controlling the calving seasons, the return on investment was $5,811 per operation. Estrus Synchronization and AI (ESAI) are tools that have been available to cattlemen for years. The use of these tools has been shown to improve both reproductive and production efficiency. These tools have had limited use mainly because cattlemen do not understand the impact of these tools on their farm's reproduction and production impact.

Since the inception of this program, one participating Knott County Farm has increased their pounds of calves sold at market by nearly 20%. This increasing number of calves born and improving genetics increase the weaning weight of the calves through improved genetic quality through artificial insemination. Overall, the farmer rose their number of pounds sold by over 3,000 lbs., increasing their income by nearly 5,000.00 annually.

It takes about ten years to realize the benefits of using ESAI. As more data is collected over the next several years, it will further validate these initial results through the Beef IRM Program and improve beef cow-calf operations. This project received funding from the Governor's Office of Agriculture Policy through the Kentucky Beef Network.