Key factors for better cattle fertility and herd success

By Blake Jackson

Improving cattle fertility requires both genetic selection and environmental management to boost reproductive performance.

University of Missouri Extension state beef genetics specialist Jamie Courter shared insights at the Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville, stating, "Fertility is a lowly heritable trait and, therefore, a lot of environmental factors can negatively impact a female with otherwise high genetic merit."

Courter emphasized that an animal’s phenotype the traits observed is shaped by both its genotype (genetic makeup) and the environment. Environmental factors include natural conditions and farm management practices.

“We can take females with poor genetics for fertility and manage them in a way that increases their likelihood of becoming pregnant,” Courter noted. “Similarly, we can take females with excellent genetics for fertility and decrease their likelihood of becoming pregnant through poor management. When it comes to building better female cows, the goal should be to match their genetics to the environment.”

Given fertility's low heritability, focusing on traits with higher heritability is often more beneficial. To increase fertility, producers typically aim for more cows bred and calves weaned. But other heritable traits can also help achieve this, Courter explained.

The first step in aligning genetics with the environment is defining a breeding objective:

• Do you sell calves at weaning (is weaning weight important)?
• Do you focus on carcass quality or market Show Me-Select heifers?

Producers must also ask questions about other traits important to their operations, such as docility or environmental considerations like pasture size and stocking rates. “What phenotypes are critically important to match these needs?” Courter asked.

Expected progeny differences (EPDs) are a valuable tool for breeding decisions, predicting genetic potential and estimating offspring performance differences.

Courter identified three crucial factors when selecting for a better herd:

• Mature cow size: Smaller cows are more efficient, allowing higher stocking rates and more calves weaned per year.
• Hair shedding: Early-shedding cows are better suited to their environment, reducing stress and improving fertility.
• Calving ease: While calving ease is important, excessive selection for it can harm profitability. Smaller calves tend to be lighter at weaning, impacting returns.

“Select bulls based on their genetic potential for traits of interest,” Courter advised, “and balance out deficits with surpluses to make the best decisions for your herd.”

Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar