The success of a beef cow-calf operation depends on the number of calves produced and marketed each year. Fewer marketable calves directly reduce income, making reproductive success and herd health critically important. Herd productivity is closely tied to profitability. The break-even price for calves can be lowered either by reducing total cow herd costs or by increasing the total weight of calves weaned. Enhancing herd productivity to increase the total weight of weaned calves can mainly be achieved by improving health and fertility.

Maintaining the health of both cows and calves in cow-calf operations for beef cattle is foundational for a productive cow-calf operation. Poor health management can lead to reduced pregnancy rates, stunted calf growth, and costly treatments. Long-term issues such as permanent infertility or inadequate immune development in replacement animals are also potential risks. To mitigate these threats, farmers can gain much benefit by developing tailored protocols based on an operation's specific needs, geographic location, and risk factors.

Both infectious and non-infectious concerns must be addressed. Non-infectious issues like inadequate nutrition, excessive heat, and parasites can indirectly harm reproductive performance by affecting body condition and increasing stress. Infectious diseases, such as vibriosis, brucellosis, IBR, BVDV, trichomoniasis, and leptospirosis, can directly reduce fertility or cause abortions and spread rapidly in unprotected herds. A comprehensive health program includes consistent monitoring and proactive management to mitigate these risks effectively¹ (see Figure 1).

Vaccination programs: regular vaccinations help preventing common diseases in cow-calf operations, reducing morbidity and mortality rates in the herd. This proactive approach ensures that beef cattle maintain a strong immune system, which is crucial during critical periods such as calving and weaning.

Nutrition: proper nutrition is vital for the health and fertility of the beef herd. Balanced diets that meet the nutritional needs of cows and calves support their growth, immune function, and reproductive performance. Supplementing beef cattle with the right level and source of vitamins and minerals can prevent deficiencies or oversupplies that might affect health and productivity. For a cow to maintain a 365 day calving interval, she must rebreed by 82 days after calving (283 day gestation + 82 day postpartum interval = 365 days). On average, beef cows that calve in a BCS 3 or 4 have difficulty exhibiting their first heat by 80 days after calving, whereas cows that calve in BCS 5 or 6 tend to exhibit heat by 55 days after calving and; therefore, have a better opportunity to maintain a 365 day calving interval. Although cows that calve in a BCS of 7 have a short postpartum interval, it is not economical to feed cows to a condition score of 7.

Biosecurity measures: implementing biosecurity protocols for beef cattle minimizes the risk of disease introduction and spread within the herd. This includes controlling visitor access, quarantining new or sick animals, and maintaining clean facilities.

Parasite control: regular deworming of beef cattle in cow-calf operations and the use of external parasite control methods reduce the burden of parasites, which can negatively impact cattle health and growth rates.

The primary productive goal of any cow in the herd is to produce a live calf annually. Therefore, any cow that fails to get pregnant or wean a calf is considered to be a prime candidate for culling. Annual calf production generates revenue to cover yearly expenses related to cow maintenance, heifer development, and initial cow purchase, ultimately boosting profits for the beef cattle operation. Signs of reproductive failure can be key triggers for culling. Other culling decisions may be based on undesirable cow characteristics or financial and environmental factors.

Figure 2 illustrates the range of reasons beef cattle operations provided for selling or culling a cow from the herd². About 41% of operations reported culling a cow due to non-pregnant status, which is the primary determinant of beef cow profitability. Additionally, 55% of operations culled a cow because of age or bad teeth, issues that can affect long-term cow nutrition, body condition, and reproductive success. Overall, reproduction and cow age are the dominant factors in culling decisions for any beef cattle enterprise.

Fertility is the key to herd productivity and a major driver of profitability. Cows that calve and re-breed every 12 months significantly boost herd productivity. Infertility, or cows that fail to re-breed, can result from various factors including poor nutrition, disease, heat stress, mineral imbalances, or inferior genetics. Ensuring optimal fertility helps maintain a productive and profitable herd.

Common causes of reproductive failure include:

• Poor nutrition: inadequate energy and micronutrient levels in cows.
• Venereal diseases: conditions such as trichomoniasis (trich) and vibriosis (vibrio).
• Infectious diseases: including BVDV, IBR, and leptospirosis.
• Bull issues: infertility, disease, and injury in bulls.
• Breeding season management changes: variations in the length of the breeding season and bull-to-cow ratios.

Heat stress in cow-calf operations

Another significant factor is heat stress. Heat stress in cow-calf operations can significantly impact reproductive performance in a cow-calf beef cattle operation in several ways:

Reduced fertility: heat stress in beef cattle can lower conception rates by affecting both the cows and bulls. In cows, elevated body temperatures can disrupt hormonal balances critical for ovulation and embryo development. In bulls, heat stress can reduce sperm quality and quantity, leading to lower fertility.

Extended calving intervals: heat stress can cause cows to miss estrous cycles or have irregular cycles, resulting in extended intervals between calving. This reduces the number of calves produced annually and impacts overall herd productivity of a cow-calf operation.

Embryo mortality: high temperatures can increase the risk of early embryonic death, leading to higher rates of pregnancy loss in beef cows. This further reduces the number of calves born in a cow-calf operation and can delay subsequent breeding attempts.

Lower calf birth weight: heat stress during gestation can affect fetal development, resulting in lower birth weights. Calves born lighter may have poorer survival rates and slower growth rates, impacting their weaning weight and overall health.

Weaker immune system: both cows and calves experiencing heat stress can have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to diseases. This can lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates, further decreasing reproductive performance and calf crop value.

Nutritional imbalance: heat-stressed cows often reduce their feed intake to cope with high temperatures, leading to nutritional deficiencies. This can affect body condition and milk production, essential for calf growth and development.

To mitigate these impacts, producers can implement strategies such as providing adequate shade, ensuring access to cool and clean water, optimizing nutritional support, and adjusting breeding schedules to cooler periods of the year.

Colostrum for beef cows, the first milk produced by the mother post-birth, is rich in nutrients and antibodies. It is essential for the newborn calf, providing the initial protection against pathogens. The calf's digestive system is uniquely adapted to absorb these antibodies efficiently within the first few hours of life, which is why timely colostrum intake is crucial. Calves receiving adequate colostrum demonstrate better disease resistance and improved growth performance throughout their lives. Feeding cows Selko IntelliBond during pregnancy increases the amount of colostrum they will produce³. Feeding Selko Fytera Secure will result in a further improvement of both quality and quantity of colostrum³.

Optimizing health and fertility in cow-calf operations requires a comprehensive approach that includes vaccination, nutrition, biosecurity, parasite control, and targeted reproductive management. By implementing these strategies, producers can enhance the productivity and sustainability of their operations, ensuring a consistent supply of healthy, high-quality beef.