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The Annual Production Cycle
Cow/calf units can maximise profitability by running cows within a four phase framework, South Dakota State University specialist, Kalyn Walters, has revealed.
There is a certain set of production standards that should be required of cows within a herd to maximize profitability of a cow/calf operation. At the top of this list is that cows must have a marketable calf every 365 days. Seems as though this should be easily accomplished by the cow, but when you begin to add up the days in the production cycle and then look at the obstacles that must be overcome, it becomes much more complex. Therefore gaining an understanding of the annual production cycle will allow producers to manage their cow herd in a way to help them accomplish this production standard. The beef production cycle will be based on a 365 day model with a 283 gestation period. The cycle will be broken down into four phases (Figure 1).

Phase 1

Day zero of the production cycle is parturition (calving), with phase 1 continuing through the postpartum interval, and concluding with at the time of conception. This phase is the most critical in terms of setting the stage for the remaining four phases. With a 365 day production cycle, and 283 average gestation, the maximum length of time that this phase can continue is 82 days to allow the production of a calf yearly. Therefore cattle must be managed to successfully overcome their postpartum interval (the time from calving to conception). See: Management of Postpartum Anestrus in Beef Cows by University of Florida IFAS Extension. In addition, these females are lactating, which not only puts a nutritional stress on them, but they also are experiencing the suckling effect which causes an inhibition of reproductive hormones from the physical stimulation of suckling.

Phase 2

This phase begins with the maternal recognition of pregnancy, which takes place approximately 18 days following conception. During this phase the cow is responsible for maintaining three lives: her own, her calves, and the fetus. Through this phase lactation will continue, carrying over the increased nutritional requirements of the cow from phase 1.

Phase 3

Weaning initiates this phase and typically takes place at around day 200 of the production cycle. Thus a tremendous drop in nutritional requirements is seen during this phase. The removal of lactation reduces the required protein and energy needed to maintain the cow and mid gestation does not cause a sizable draw in requirements. This is the best phase both physiologically and economically to increase the body condition of cows. See: Basics of Body Condition Scoring (BCS) by SDSU Extension.

Phase 4

This is the final phase before parturition. Nearly 75% of total fetal grow takes place during this phase; Therefor, the nutritional requirements of the cow will increase from phase 3 to 4. In addition, with the growing calf, the physical room within the cow will be reduced resulting in a reduction in feed intake in the latter portion of phase 4.

As one evaluates the four phases of the production cycle, it becomes clear that the cow must be managed to successfully complete each phase in order to ensure the production of a calf every 365 days.
February 2013

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Cow/calf units can maximise profitability by running cows within a four phase framework, South Dakota State University specialist, Kalyn Walters, has revealed. There is a certain set of production standards that should be required of cows within a herd to maximize profitability of a cow/calf operation.

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Breeding and Reproduction in Farmed Livestock 

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Breeding and Reproduction in Farmed Livestock 

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Pregnancy, also known as gestation, is the condition where a female animal have young, developing in her uterus. The period of pregnancy also known as gestation period is the time between conception and parturition (giving birth). It is economically important to detect if a female animal is pregnant or not.

There are a number of signs shown by female animals that are suggestive for a positive case, but on a proper diagnosis, it may not be found correct. When an animal is pregnant, it can demand a change in her feeding programme as well as the management from the early stage. In the case of pregnancy failure due to infertility, sterility, diseases etc., the causes and curative measures should be inquired. If it becomes impossible to cure an animal, culling is preferable.

Early detection of pregnancy of an animal thus becomes an indispensable job of any herd owner or farmer.

Methods of detecting Pregnancy

The various methods by which pregnancy can be detected in farm animals are:

Through signs of pregnancy exhibited by the female animals and this can be detected externally.

Through symptoms of pregnancy which can be detected by examination e.g. vaginum examination.

Through laboratory test carried out biologically or chemically.

Signs of Pregnancy

When an animal is pregnant, there are various signs that the animal will exhibit. Some of these signs are as follows:

The animal concerned tends to become sluggish in temperament and more tractable.

There is an increase in body weight of the animal at the last half of pregnancy due to development of foetus and hypertrophy of the uterus and mammary glands.

The animal has a tendency to grow fat.

There are changes in the mammary gland; as parturition approaches, the mammary gland becomes firm, enlarged and glossy, teats have waxy appearance.

There is cessation of oestrus (heat); cessation of oestrus cycle after sexual copulation is the first indication of pregnancy, and it is very reliable although the following should be considered.

Heat may be inhibited following mating due to hormonal dysfunctions.

Low intensity of heat maybe overlooked and thus the animals may be thought to be pregnant.

Sometimes animals still show signs of heat even after they are pregnant.

What is Gestation?

Gestation is another term for pregnancy/conception. Gestation period is the time of conception to the time of giving birth. The gestation period of animals species are different from each other. Below are the gestation periods of some farm animals.

Pregnancy and gestation are two things that are also important in animal husbandry. They must be considered for proper management of livestock.

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Pregnancy and Gestation Periods of Various Farm Animals - Livestocking

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Pregnancy, also known as gestation, is the condition where a female animal have young, developing in her uterus. The period of pregnancy also known as gestation period is the time between conception and parturition (giving birth). It is economically important to detect if a female animal is pregnant or not.

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Intensive Dairy Farming - Is this the way to do it? (BBC Countryfile)

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Adam Henson travels to Wisconsin and Indiana to see how the Americans do dairy farming on a massive scale. (BBC Countryfile. October 24, 2010 s23e08)

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UK Sheep Farming | National Sheep Association

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Understand why sheep farming in the UK is different to other parts of the world, from the National Sheep Association

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Sheep Breeds | National Sheep Association

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Details and information on all UK Sheep Breeds from the National Sheep Association

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Select the Dairy Cattle Breed you would like to know about from the list below. You can also select/change the breed you are viewing using the drop-down list in the header above.

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Select the Beef Cattle Breed you would like to know about from the list below. You can also select/change the breed you are viewing using the drop-down list in the header above.

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Late gestation (last 4 to 6 weeks) is a critical period for ewe reproduction. This is when the majority of fetal growth is occurring, placing increasing nutritional demands on the ewe. Ewes consuming inadequate diets are prone to pregnancy toxemia and milk fever.

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Blowfly Alert

The Blowfly Alert forecasts the level of strike risk for different regions of the UK. It will be updated monthly through July to October. The forecasts are supported by on farm reporting of cases - to report a case in your flock please click the link below.

View Alert Report An Outbreak

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NADIS is a unique online based animal health resource for farmers, vets and SQPs. The information is written by veterinary experts, peer-reviewed and presented in a practical format with a high visual clinical content to improve disease awareness and highlight disease prevention.