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North Florida Beef Reproduction Workshop

Bound Book/eBook

Cindy Sanders
COUNTY EXTENSION DIRECTOR
Newberry

Team Members: Sanders, C*1, Wilson, T*2, Justesen, C*3, Jennings, E4, Fontes, P5, Bittar, J6, Whitehead, L*7
  1. County Extension Director/Livestock, UF/IFAS, Newberry, Florida, 32669
  2. County Extension Director/Livestock, UF/IFAS, St. Augustine, Florida, 32092
  3. Livestock Agent, UF/IFAS , Ocala, Florida, 34470
  4. Emeritus County Extension Director/Livestock, UF/IFAS , Bronson, Florida, 32621
  5. Assistant Professor, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
  6. Assistant Professor, UF/IFAS, Gainesville, Florida, 32610
  7. Ag & Natural Resource Agent, UF/IFAS, Starke, Florida, 32091

Abstract

Extension has historically been called upon to relay the latest information to beef cattle producers to positively affect the bottom line of their operations. An area of concern to the cow/calf producers of Florida is reproductive management. A regional group of livestock agents, University specialists from Florida and Georgia, and industry representatives answered the call for action to provide producers hands on knowledge and experience in utilizing chute side techniques for pregnancy diagnosis and improving the reproductive management of the beef herds in North Florida. A three-day workshop was held in 2023 which combined classroom and chute side learning. The objective of this program was for producers to gain knowledge in beef cattle reproduction and based on this knowledge; adopt practices that will increase ranch profits, specifically manage the herd for reproductive success and utilize palpation for pregnancy detection. Educational topics taught are reproduction basics, reproductive tract anatomy, reproductive health, expected progeny differences (EPD’s), breeding season management, using palpation to determine pregnancy, and bull selection and management. 21 beef producers participated in the 2023 workshop. Based on the pre & posttests an overall knowledge gain of 30% was achieved. Post program surveys (n=21) indicated 43% of respondents would implement a controlled breeding season, 81% will adopt palpation for pregnancy diagnosis on their operation, and 31% indicated adoption of heat synchronization protocols for artificial insemination. As a result of these workshops, approximately 4,500 head of beef cattle were represented, saving $5 per head in palpation fees, saving these producers collectively, $22,500/year. Using a pregnancy detection method can allow producers to identify an open cow and make culling decisions instead of spending an average of $750 to carry an open cow for the rest of the year.

North Florida Beef Reproduction Workshop Binder.pdf

North Florida Beef Reproduction Workshop Binder.pdf