Progesterone Inserts May Help to Improve Breeding Readiness in Beef Heifers (Report‪)‬

Author(s): Pedro H. Favetto, Veterinarian, Bruce R. Hoar, School of Veterinary Medicine, Dan M. Myers, UC Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center, Justin Tindall, UC Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center The primary economic goal of cow-calf operators is to produce as many calves per year as possible from sexually mature females. Yearling heifers should be enrolled in a breeding program to calve as 2-year-olds, maximizing the number of calves produced in their lifetimes (Wood-Follis et al. 2004; Byerley, Staigmiller, et al. 1987). Consequently, they must be sufficiently mature to be bred at 14 to 15 months of age. The ability to accurately determine sexual maturity as a predictor of future reproductive efficiency is important so that producers can retain the heifers most likely to become pregnant at a young age in the herd.