The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

How Do We Improve Percent Calf Crop Weaned?

Percent calf-crop weaned is of paramount economic importance in a cow-calf operation. Selection, mating and management to improve reproductive efficiency are all important areas to improve percent calf-crop weaned.

From a standpoint of genetics and animal breeding, reproductive traits are low in heritability (typically 10% - 20%) but show high levels of heterosis in response to crossbreeding. If a producer is going to take advantage of heterosis in one part of the commercial cow-calf operation, take advantage of maternal heterosis in the cow herd. Th...