The genetics of reproduction is poorly understood because the heritabilities of traits currently recorded are low. To elucidate the genetics underlying reproduction in beef cattle, we performed a genome-wide association study using the bovine SNP50 chip in 2 tropically adapted beef cattle breeds, Brahman and Tropical Composite. Here we present the results for 3 female reproduction traits: 1) ag...

An early and accurate diagnosis of reproductive dysfunctions or aberrations is crucial to better reproductive management in livestock. High reproductive efficiency is a prerequisite for high life-time production in dairy animals. Early pregnancy diagnosis is key to shorten the calving interval through early identification of open animals and their timely treatment and rebreeding so as to mainta...

Sows that fail to establish and maintain pregnancy fail to cover costs associated with their daily maintenance and housing. Pregnancy diagnosis can help to: 1) minimize costs associated with nonproductive days (NPDs), 2) maintain correct number of sows for farrowing crates, 3) identify open females for rebreeding or culling, 4) prevent unintended culling of pregnant sows, 5) identify the timing...

The objective was to determine whether treatment with 400 IU PMSG and 200 IU hCG (P.G. 600; Intervet America, Inc., Millsboro, DE, USA) at weaning improved rebreeding performance in sows that were limit-fed during lactation. Crossbred sows were allowed ad libitum access to feed or were limited to 3.2 kg of feed/day during an 18-day lactation. At weaning, limit-fed sows received im treatment wit...

spring (a cow changing from a 6.0 to a 4.8) would be associated with an additional 15 days to first estrus after calving compared to a cow that maintained body condition. Similarly, a 20 percent decrease in body condition score would be associated with an additional 16 days to conception. This study reemphasized the relationship between weight loss during pregnancy and rebreeding performance. E...

Calving difficulty (dystocia) contributes heavily to losses in production in beef cow/calf herds. The obvious losses are due to calves or cows that die at or soon after calving. Less noticeable losses are due to delayed rebreeding, more open females, an extended calving season and increased labor costs. While occasional dystocia is almost unavoidable, through proper management, cattlemen can mi...