For years in the MonDak Region we producers have prided ourselves in producing our own heifers, and we are good at it. We have been able to increase conception rates and decrease problems at calving. But, have we hurt ourselves in the pursuit of higher conception rates?

Most heifer development programs use a 45 to 60 day calving season. We then start calving a week or two prior to the start date for the main herd. This is done for two reasons. First, this will give the heifers extra time to recover after they calve for the breeding season. Second, this will allow more time to be spent with the higher risk heifers that may need your attention. Both are good reasons to start calving earlier than the main herd. What about the length of the calving season for your heifers?  With most programs, a heifer is given two to three chances to conceive. Many times these animals are playing catch up and will be open at three or four years of age, at which time the value will be much less than that of an open heifer.

Let’s explore a 30 day breeding season for your heifers. By exposing your heifers for only 30 days, this will give them one chance to get bred. These heifers in turn will be the most fertile of your group. Although a word of caution, one may want to keep extra heifers in this situation. Conception rates may be ten to fifteen percent lower, but the bred heifers you have will be more fertile. Your open heifers that fall will still have value compared to those being sold as three and four years of age.

This program is an alternative system that may not fit every operation. But it should give you something to think about when you look back at your open cows from last fall. If you are interested in learning more about this system, or to talk to those who have tried it, call the Richland County Extension Office at 406.433.1206 or email myself at whiteman@montana.edu and we will get you in touch with those who have.