Cow Herd Management
How to Increase the Proportion of Early Calving
Heifers and Cows
By Rick Funston, University Of Nebraska Extension; George Perry, South Dakota State University; And
Michael Smith, University Of Missouri
Artificial insemination (AI) is
the most powerful tool cow-
calf producers have to improve
beef cattle genetics. Still, they
have been slow to adopt this
technology due to the time
and labor of heat checking and
a market structure that until
recently did not reward genetic
improvement. However, markets
are now rewarding improved
genetics (e.g. premiums) and
improved fixed time AI (FTAI)
protocols make it easier for
the cow-calf producer to use
AI. Using FTAI eliminates the
time and labor associated with
heat checking while getting
pregnancy rates similar to AI
protocols that include heat
checking. In addition, AI calves
provide an economic gain
because they are born earlier in
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the calving season resulting in
more pounds of calf weaned.
To have a successful FTAI
program producers need to:
• Optimize the number
of healthy, cycling
females at the beginning
of the breeding season.
• Select AI sires carefully and
purchase high-quality
semen.
• Use an appropriate estrus
synchronization protocol.
• Utilize low stress
cattle handling.
• Handle semen properly
and use correct
AI technique.
• Manage heifer nutrition
before and after AI.
Most importantly, successful
FTAI requires careful thought
and attention to detail.
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Calving date for first-calf heifers
impacts cow longevity and
productivity. Calving late in the
first calving season increases
the proportion of open cows
or cows that calve later next