The Angus Journal is a monthly magazine known for in-depth coverage of American Angus Association programs and services; the Angus business; herd management techniques; and advertising reflecting genetics herd philosophies.
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can be bred to high-growth bulls to produce only terminal calves. Along with buying heifer calves from which to choose replacements for his own 500-head cow herd, Hubbert develops and breeds heifers for resale. Typically purchased at auctions in western South Dakota and western Nebraska, Hubbert and a trusted order buyer seek large drafts of heifers consigned by reputable, forage-based cow outfts. While he is picky about type and quality, not all heifers come with a complete and detailed history of genetics and previous management. There is some variation in size, so heifers are sorted into management groups. All are scrutinized for pelvic size and their reproductive tracts are examined and scored. Heifers that pass muster are then tested by a no-frills development program utilizing rations built around the same kinds of feedstuffs that comprise winter diets for mature cows. "The heifers are drylotted the whole time and fed low-quality roughage — mostly (harvested) cornstalks — plus wet distillers' grains. They get no grain. That way, the heifers most likely to become productive cows rise to the top," says Hubbert. Heifers are synchronized and bred by AI for February and April calving periods. Heifers that failed to conceive after the frst insemination are identifed when ultrasound examinations are performed 30-45 days afterward. "Those heifers get another round of AI, and most will end up bred for an April calving period," Hubbert explains. "We give them a second chance to breed by AI, but I think any found open after that just shouldn't be cows. They aren't adaptable and probably wouldn't stay in the herd long-term anyway." Need predictors of reproduction Over the past several years, Rick Funston has appeared at numerous conferences to talk about heifer development. This publication and numerous others have shared the University of Nebraska reproductive physiologist's opinions and the research data on which they are based. Funston has repeatedly lamented the fact that while cow- calf producers have multiple tools for genetic selection, few point the way to females likely to exhibit high levels of reproductive performance. "From the standpoint of reproduction," states Funston, "the tools don't tell us, very well, which heifers to keep." 120 n ANGUSJournal n January 2015 Replacement Rationales CONTINUED FROM PAGE 119 Join the Colorado Breeder's State Page! Contact Jay Nordhausen (308) 289-1548 • jnordhausen@angus.org Karri Mildenberger (816) 383-5289 • kmildenberger@angusjournal.com Emma Danciger, owner 1644 Prince Creek Road • P.O. Box 5 • Carbondale, CO 81623 970-963-1391 • www.tybar.com • tybar@sopris.net Danciger Tybar Ranch LLC Larkspur, CO 80118 719.484.0800 www.sprucemountainranch.com info@sprucemountainranch.com WEAVER RANCH, INC. Susan, Maxine & Mourine Weaver And Sheldon Emerson 3000 West Co. Rd. 70 Fort Collins, Co 80524 • (970) 568-3898 E-Mail:weaverrch@Aol.Com Lyle & Deb Linman Sedgwick Ranch & Cow Managers (970) 463-5335 Visitors Always Welcome Cattle May Be Seen At Anytime!!! COLORADO High Altitude PAP tested cattle Genes That Fit!