Beef selection webinars planned for February, March

The University of Minnesota Extension is hosting a four part spring beef webinar series titled: Genetic Selection with a Vision – An integrated approach to creating profitability and opportunities for every type of beef cattle producer. The Zoom meetings will be held Monday nights - February 21 and 28, and March 7 and 14 from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. CST. The webinar series will focus on how to select for beef sire selection, associated costs using artificial insemination (AI) versus natural service, cost of raising replacement heifers versus purchasing them, and how to care for the bull throughout the year and prior to turnout to ensure a successful breeding season.
Farmers, 4-H’ers, ag business professionals who work with farmers, and anyone interested in beef cattle production are invited to attend, according to a University of Minnesota Extension news release.
February 21: Buying the Bull – How to Make Smart Decisions on Sale Day
Topics to be discussed: How to balance the use of EPDs, GE-EPDs, performance data, ratios, indices, pedigree, and phenotype to determine which bulls to purchase or which A.I. sires to use in your herd. Navigate through all the different types of data and learn which is most important to use based on your program objectives.
Speaker: Melissa Runck, Pipestone and Murray Counties Extension Educator
February 28: Breeding Costs – Artificial Insemination versus Natural Service Topics to be discussed: Compare and contrast the different expenses associated with incorporating Artificial Insemination (A.I.) in the herd versus using bulls for natural service.
Overview of most commonly used synchronization protocols will be discussed, as well as best management practices to maintain a tight calving window and improve reproductive efficiency in the herd.
Speaker: Troy Salzer, St. Louis County Extension Educator
March 7: Raising versus Purchasing Replacement Heifers
Topics to be discussed: Expenses associated with raising your own replacement heifers versus purchasing them, and the trade-offs and considerations of using either management strategy. Will also look at the option of using a bi-annual replacement system, and how to make replacement decisions based on the cattle cycle.
Speaker: Dr. Eric Mousel, Cow Calf Management Extension Educator
March 14: Bull Breeding Soundness Exams & Bull Health
Topics to be discussed: Overview of bull Breeding Soundness Exams (BSE) and when they should be done prior to the breeding season, how many bulls are needed based on the number of females they will be breeding, bull vaccine protocols, and other year-round bull management considerations.
Speaker: Dr. Joe Armstrong DVM, Cattle Production Systems Extension Educator
Pre-registration is required. Please register online at z.umn.edu/BeefGenetics. You will receive a Zoom link after registration is completed. You only have to register once and you will be registered for all subsequent webinars. If you are unable to attend the live sessions, you will receive the recordings for all the sessions via email at the end of the series. Any questions, contact: Brenda Miller at nels4220@umn.edu.