New tool now available for beef producers

Thanks to financial support from the Beef Reproductive Task Force, a multi-state extension group, beef producers are now able to access the Bovine Estrus Synchronization Planner on the Web at no charge. The task force is comprised of specialists from K-State, the University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, South Dakota State University, University of Florida and University of Idaho.

The Estrus Synchronization Planner V11 for cattle producers includes the latest recommendations for application of estrus synchronization protocols and is now available as a free download from the Iowa Beef Center at http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrus_synch.html.

The planner is an Excel compatible spreadsheet that assists herd managers in selecting a protocol, planning for implementation and creating a calendar to ensure the appropriate activity occurs on the correct day, said Kansas State Research and Extension Livestock Specialist Sandy Johnson.

The extension group updated the Web tool to help beef cattle producers make decisions for the breeding season.

The Estrus Synchronization Planner V11 helps:

* assist with planning and implementing some of the more complicated synchronization systems;

* eliminate errors in the timing of injections, starting and ending the feeding of MGA, CIDR insertions, etc;

* optimize labor use; and

* provide analysis and comparison of input costs of several synchronization systems.

It includes recommended systems for cows and heifers and helps select systems by type (heat detection and artificial insemination (AI) systems; heat detection and clean-up timed AI systems; and fixed-time AI systems). The planner also provides a list of daily activities, a barn calendar and estimates cost per AI pregnancy.

A list of recommended synchronization protocols for beef cows and heifers, updated for 2011, is also available. This year's recommendations include a new protocol designed to reduce synchronization treatment costs.

Editor's Note: Delta George is a K-State Research and Extension agriculture and 4-H extension agent assigned to Bourbon County. She may be reached at (620) 223-3720.