The objective of this project was to determine the genetic control of conception rate, or pregnancy percentage in Angus beef heifers. Producers from 6 herds in 5 states provided 3,144 heifer records that included breeding dates, breeding contemporary groups, service sires, and pregnancy check information. Two hundred fourteen sires of the heifers were represented; with 104 sires having less tha...

Managerial and economic efficiencies of cattle reproduction systems that are seasonal in nature are most likely to benefit from having a compact calving season. Effective replacement heifer development is a critical segment of the integrated management program in an efficient beef cow production system. The replacement heifer represents the future profitability and genetic improvement of the co...

The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of the Charolais-specific inactive myostatin allele on phenotypic means and genetic parameters of heifer breeding traits. Records were registered from 1996 to 2006 in 282 herds dedicated to the on-farm French Charolais purebred progeny test. Data consisted of 36,867 female calf records, including 17,518 inseminated heifers that were bred b...

Intramammary infections in breeding age and pregnant heifers are much higher than previously thought. Many of these infections can persist for long periods of time, are associated with elevated somatic cell counts, and likely impair mammary development during gestation and affect milk production after calving. Prepartum intramammary antibiotic infusion of heifer mammary glands a few weeks befor...

We developed an advisory tool addressing 10 critical areas of calf and heifer management, including calving management, care to newborn calves and painful procedures, colostrum management, cow-calf separation, calf feeding, weaning, calf housing, heifer feeding, heifer housing, and general monitoring. Targets and indicators for each critical area were validated by a panel of experts and maximum...

The objective of this study was to estimate parameters required for genetic evaluation of Simmental carcass merit using carcass and live animal data. Carcass weight, fat thickness, longissimus muscle area, and marbling score were available from 5,750 steers and 1,504 heifers sired by Simmental bulls. Additionally, yearling ultrasound measurements of fat thickness, longissimus muscle area, and e...