BEEF COW MANAGEMENT - PREBREEDING: Introduction

Although the foundation of a successful breeding season is already laid earlier than 8 weeks before the start of the breeding season, the 4-8 weeks leading up to the breeding season can rightly be seen as the beginning of the 22 month cycle from "Conception to Utilization", as this period can have a significant influence on successful conception during the breeding season. 

If things do not go smoothly here, it can result in cows not being rebred in a fixed (max. 90 days) breeding season, or cows only conceiving very late in the breeding season. 

Cows that do not get pregnant will only get another chance with the next breeding season (or should they?). Cows that only become pregnant late in the breeding season will most likely not become pregnant in the next breeding season. Ultimately, this leads to an extended intercalving period with accompanying economic loss, which can hardly be afforded! 

Good conception during the breeding season is the key to profitable beef farming.  (Of course, this must be followed up with a good calving percentage and finally a good weaning percentage to ensure the full benefit of good conception). The calving percentage of commercial beef cattle herds in South Africa is estimated to be 62% to 65% (Grobler et al, 2014; Bradfield, 2021). This just emphasizes once again the importance that we must concentrate on all the facets of the production cycle and not drop a ball somewhere! The careful management of the herd based on a targeted program is therefore indispensable to ensure the best chance of success. The articles in this series of BEEF COW MANAGEMENT are broken down to cover the most important production phases.  

The articles for the "prebreeding" phase are discussed on the basis of the following topics as indicated in the enclosed schematic representation: Nutrition and Condition, Breeding Soundness; Vaccination, Trace Mineral Supplementation, Parasite Control and General

1. Grobler SM, Scholtz MM, Greyling JPC en Neser FWC, 2014. Reproduction performance of beef cattle mated naturally following synchronisation in the central Bushveld bioregion of South Africa. S. Afr. j. anim. sci. vol.44 n.5

2. Bradfield M, 2021. Optimizing forage resources with a defined, short breeding season. SIMM bios, September 2021. Available from Plaas Media (Pty) Ltd