Several managerial practices increase productivity within cow-calf herds when they can be implemented economically and practically. These practices are mostly associated with reproduction, because improvements in herd fertility generally offer potential for increased profitability in cow-calf operations. They include a restricted breeding season, identification of the optimal calving season, a good heifer replacement program, heifer reproductive tract scoring, proper nutrition, good herd health, bull breeding soundness examinations, crossbreeding, and maintaining good records. Other management practices associated with increased beef herd profitability include decreasing unit cost of production, use of growth promotants in calves, internal and external parasite control, improved calf management, management-intensive grazing, preconditioning of calves, and having a marketing plan.
OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER
Health-Management Interaction: Beef Cattle
Beef Cattle Breeding Herds
Reproduction
Cull Cow Selection and Management
Nutritional Management
Health and Production Management Program
Vaccinations
Calf Management
Replacement Heifers
General Health Management Considerations
Beef Feedlots
Economic Impact of Disease
Implementing a Feedlot Medicine Program
Feedlot Records
Vaccination Protocols
Nutritional Advice
Disease Epidemics
Control and Prevention of Disease in Feedlot Cattle
Beef Quality Assurance and Beef Safety Programs
Development of Antimicrobial-resistant Bacteria in Feedlot Cattle
