A THREE-YEAR ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF A COMMERCIAL HEIFER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

In 1994, 1995, and 1996, a commercial heifer development operation purchased a total of 1542 potential replacement heifers. Heifers were purchased in the fall preceding The demand for genetically superior the spring breeding season and fed a silagereplacement heifers, artificially inseminated based diet during the developmental period. (AI) and synchronized to calve early in the Before the breeding season began, heifers calving season, has increased the popularity that failed to meet minimum requirements for and size of commercial heifer development pelvic area, average daily gain, body weight, operations in recent years. Heifers purchased disposition, or structural soundness were from these operations represent the future culled. During the first year, 42% of 483 genetics and profit potential in many cow-calf heifers were culled, 17% of 468 heifers were operations. Therefore, our purposes were to: culled in the second year, and 14% of 591 1) evaluate the economic performance of all heifers in the third year. Estrus was synchropregnant and nonpregnant heifers sold by a nized and heifers were inseminated artificially commercial heifer developer during a 3-year (AI) for 30 days followed by 30 days of period and 2) determine any differences in natural mating by cleanup bulls. First-service profitability associated with genetic make-up. AI conception rates averaged 68% and overall pregnancy rates (AI + natural mating) averaged 95.1% over the 3-year period. Heifers culled prior to the breeding season A commercial heifer development facility realized a net profit of $9 per head, whereas in north-central Kansas purchased 483 heifheifers diagnosed nonpregnant after the ers in the fall of 1994, 468 in 1995, and 591 breeding season lost $86, and heifers that in 1996. Heifers were of either Angus aborted lost $133. Profits for pregnant heif(black) or Angus × Hereford (black-whiteers sold were $163 for first-service AI, $138 face; BWF). Each group was treated in a for second-service AI, and $83 for bull bred. similar manner during the 3 years. Heifers were fed a similar silage-based diet to gain an (


Introduction
Experimental Procedures average of 1.5 lb per day.Shortly before each spring breeding season (i.e., heifers heifers were culled.In the second year, 17% purchased in the fall of 1994 were bred dur-of 468 heifers were culled, and 14% of 591 ing the spring of 1995), a prebreeding exam heifers were culled in the third year.was performed and heifers were culled on the Decreased culling percentages from the first basis of pelvic area, average daily gain, repro-to third year indicate improvement in initial ductive tract scores, disposition, or structural performance evaluation and heifer quality.soundness.All culled heifers were sent to a Some heifer sources were used only once.feedlot, where the heifer development opera-First-service AI conception rates and overall tor retained ownership until slaughter.
pregnancy rates were similar among years Estrus was synchronized in the remaining heifers by feeding MGA for 14 days, then Net profit or loss for the heifers sold injecting prostaglandin F (PGF) 17 to 19 during the developmental period during all 3 2α days after MGA withdrawal.Heifers were years is summarized in Table 2. Heifers observed for estrus and inseminated 12 hr culled at the time of the prebreeding exams after first observed heat using semen from a and finished in a feedlot had a 3-year average sire with expected progeny differences (EPD) net profit of $9, whereas heifers diagnosed as for small birth weights and above-average nonpregnant shortly after the breeding season growth characteristics.Artificial insemina-were sold for a net loss of $86.The loss for tion continued for 30 days followed by 30 pregnant heifers that were then diagnosed days of natural mating by cleanup bulls.
nonpregnant after wintering on native pasture Conception rates at first-and second-service and sold at a local sale barn was $133 per AI and overall pregnancy rates were calcu-head.Average profits were $163, $139, and lated.
$83, respectively, for heifers sold pregnant Heifers open after the breeding season natural mating.The results emphasize the were sold directly through a local sale barn.
economic importance of early culling and All pregnant heifers were wintered on native early breeding to cut the losses associated prairie grass or corn stalks until being re-with maintaining open heifers.turned to drylot facilities before a special replacement heifer sale during January of Heifers purchased during 1995Heifers purchased during and 1996Heifers purchased during 1996Heifers purchased during , 1997Heifers purchased during , or 1998.At that time, preg-and subsequently inseminated artificially nancy was reconfirmed to determine which during the spring of 1996 and 1997 were heifers had aborted since the previous preg-separated into first-or second-service AI nancy diagnosis.Aborting heifers were sold groups according to their origin; Hereford × locally, whereas pregnant heifers were sorted Angus (BWF) or Angus ([black).Profitinto groups according to their pregnancy ability results are shown in Table 3.Among status, genetic origin and expected calving first AI service, pregnant heifers, BWF dates.
heifers were nearly twice as profitable

Table 1 . Culling, First-Service Conception, and Pregnancy Rates of Beef Heifers in a Heifer Development Operation
c

Table 3 . The Economic Effect of Genetics on Artificially Inseminated Heifers Over a Two-Year Period in a Heifer Development Operation
a a Heifers of predominantly Hereford × Angus origin.b Profits within a column with uncommon superscript letters differ (P < .05).c,d