With breeding season upon us, producers are asking themselves how to best take advantage of their breeding window. Following an effective estrus synchronization protocol, in conjunction with artificial insemination (AI), can help improve control over breeding and calving.
In this blog post, you’ll learn:
What Is Estrus Synchronization?
What Are the Advantages of Estrus Synchronization?
Estrus Synchronization Protocols in Cattle
How Does a CIDR® Work?
Next Steps to Success
Discover Animal Health Products for Your Breeding Program
Estrus synchronization is a way to manipulate a cattle’s estrus (heat) cycle so that all of your cattle can be bred at the same time.
Beef cattle generally go through a 21-day estrus cycle. But not all cattle go through this cycle at the same time. That can lead to irregularities in the timing of calving season. Not only that, late calvers can produce lighter calves and ultimately cost you money.
Estrus synchronization gives you greater control over the breeding and calving season, helping to set up your cattle and your ag operation for success.
When it comes down to it, no one wants calving season to drag on. Reaching your reproductive goals during breeding season is important and will help you understand whether or not you’re getting a good return on investment (ROI).
As the University of Georgia Extension explains, breeding cattle at the same time:
Allows females to conceive earlier in the breeding season.
Reduces time and labor when you utilize artificial insemination.
Produces a more uniform calf crop that are all similar in age.
With the proper plan in place, you can feel confident that your breeding season will be successful.
Proper estrus synchronization protocol includes the following considerations:
You’ll want to evaluate the breeding costs of your cow-calf operations and what kind of expenses you’ll incur. This will help you budget for the number of workers you’ll need during this season, animal health products, supplies, and feed.
It’s important to know if you’ll have enough manpower to get the job done. You will need workers to observe estrus and manage commingling and/or an AI technician.
It’s important to have clean, dry facilities that are in good condition and well lit for calving. If you have 10 or 15 calves that hit the ground during a cold spell, will you have the space to properly house them?
Factoring in weather conditions is another important consideration. Do you have the right set up to calve in the colder weather? Some cattlemen have started pushing off their calving window to May so that they don’t have to fight weather conditions and so they have labor more readily available.
The best way to implement an estrus synchronization protocol is through the use of a CIDR (controlled intravaginal drug release aka controlled internal drug release).
A CIDR is a T-shaped rubber device with a nylon spine that contains progesterone, the hormone that blocks estrus and helps cattle maintain pregnancy. Basically, a CIDR is a transport mechanism to introduce progesterone to modify the breeding cycle in cattle.
One of the reasons CIDRs are so useful is that they make insertion simple and can be used in a variety of ways for producers. Depending on your breeding schedule, using a CIDR will give you the option of using a short-term or long-term synchronization protocol.
You know that dialing in your estrus synchronization protocol is important and utilizing CIDRs can help you manage your breeding season to be as precise as possible.
There are tradeoffs to having an earlier or a later calving season. Only you can determine what’s best for your operation and how your marketing plan is going to work.
But with some small management changes, you can help set up your breeding season for success.
Ready to try CIDR? Click here to purchase CIDR from FBN®, learn more about the product, and get step-by-step instructions on how to use it.
You can also stock up on other cattle reproductive and calving products as well as colostrum. FBN is your one-stop shop for animal health products, offering convenient online shopping 24/7 and direct-to-ranch delivery on your schedule.
© 2014 - 2024 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct”, "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.
Eazi-Breed™, CIDR®, and LUTALYSE® are all registered trademarks of Zoetis Services LLC.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice and excludes CA mills tax and MN ACRRA fees. Terms and conditions apply.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target pest, illness, or deficiency and its approval for use on your animal's species and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion.
All product suggestions and other information provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for consulting the product label or for specific agronomic, business,or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified advisor. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.
Complete the form below or call (877) 218-9411 to connect with a member of our livestock team about FBN’s liquid feed supplement.