Enhancing profitability through strategic breeding objectives

This is the fourth in a series of articles from this year’s Zimbabwe Herd Book’s annual Beef School. Presented by Johan Styger, the current Chairman of the Livestock Registering Federation (LRF) and member of the Simmentaler Breed Improvement Committee, it features valuable insights on the importance of strategic breeding objectives to enhance herd performance and ensure sustainable profitability.

Johan Styger, the current Chairman of the Livestock Registering Federation (LRF) and member of the Simmentaler Breed Improvement Committee

In the world of livestock farming, profitability is essential. As Jason Fried aptly stated, “A business without a path to profit isn’t a business; it’s a hobby.” Understanding this principle is crucial for farmers seeking to optimise their operations, particularly in beef production.

Below are practical pointers for cattle producers to consider in their cattle operations.

Environmental limitation and production constraint

Feed and supplementation are the biggest expenses in livestock production systems. It is important to get bang for your buck.

Planning fodder flow must match the farm’s feed-producing capabilities to the needs of the animals to maximise profit margins. Try to farm with nature, use available natural resources and match your production systems with what nature has to provide.

Match your production cycle (calving seasons) to fodder and nutrition availability.

Sustainability

Extremes are not the answer when it comes to weight gain per animal and stocking rates. An optimum balance between undergrazing and overgrazing needs to be found. There is a relationship between stocking rate and average daily gain and between stocking rate and live mass gain per hectare.

Breeding objectives must take into account the producers’ aspirations. The route to breeding objectives from current herd performance is done through the genetic route.

Setting your breeding objectives involves benchmarking your performance as well as identifying and setting traits to accelerate your performance.

Know that fertility is one of the most economically important traits. If there is no calf, there is no product to sell. Fertility is a lowly heritable trait, thus greatly influenced by the environment and management. However, there is a genetic component involved and therefore it is possible to improve the genetics of your herd with regards to fertility. Select the genetic component of fertility.

According to CP Massman, the past General Manager of the Simmentaler/Simbra Cattle Breeders Society of Southern Africa, when it comes to the importance of reproduction, on a scale of one to ten, reproduction and fertility are ten. Production or growth rates are a lowly two and the product (carcass) is rated at one.

When looking at reproductive performance, there is a monetary value to compacting a controlled calving season to a 60-90 day period in which calves are born. A controlled calving period ensures ease of management due to animal similarity during the year. Look at what works for you. For calving, use the cheapest resource you have is grass. Research shows that calving seasons are more profitable than all-year calving.

Increase your bull ratios for young bulls and/or shorter calving periods. Use a multi-sire system to cover the risk of infertility in any one bull.

Your cows’ pregnancy rates should be one of the first things for setting your breeding objectives. A high pregnancy rate, however, does not happen overnight - getting the genetics and the environmental conditions right will contribute to an increased pregnancy rate. Cows must be cycling when the bulls come in to cover them. It may be difficult this season because of the drought but it does not stop your planning.

As breeding objectives serve as a roadmap for livestock producers, they must be established with a clear understanding of environmental limitations and production constraints, particularly in relation to feed and supplementation. Feed costs are often the largest expense; thus, aligning fodder flow with animal needs is critical to maximising profit margins.

Sustainability and performance

Farmers should strive to create a balanced ecosystem where sustainable practices are integrated with breeding goals. This requires careful planning to match production cycles, such as calving seasons, to the availability of fodder and nutrition.

Fertility: The cornerstone of production

Fertility stands out as one of the most economically significant traits in beef cattle. The direct correlation between calf production and profitability cannot be overstated; without calves, there is no product to sell. Understanding that fertility is a heritable trait influenced by both genetics and environmental factors allows farmers to improve their herd through selective breeding.

Importance of reproductive performance

This is environmentally related, it is what your environment allows. A controlled calving season, typically spanning 60-90 days, enhances management efficiency. Research has shown that such seasons contribute to greater profitability. Factors such as increasing bull ratios for younger bulls can also positively affect reproductive outcomes.

Key performance indicators

Farmers are encouraged to assess their herds against industry targets concerning reproductive performance:

• Pregnancy rates:The target should be 93% after a 84-day (4 cycles) mating period.
• Calving distribution:Ensuring a higher percentage of calves born in the initial three weeks of the calving period is essential for operational efficiency.

Calf survival and heifer management

Calf survival rates are vital to the sustainability of beef production. Farmers should aim for less than 2% pregnancy loss and a calf survival rate of at least 95%.

Make your vet your best friend, ask him if there is disease in the area, it helps you have management systems in place and put you on the road to success.

Heifer development

Implementing a formal heifer development plan is critical. Farmers must ensure heifers are exposed to bulls before the cows. Additionally, mating yearling heifers can significantly impact productivity, as research shows a 11% increase in total weight weaned from two-year-old calvers.

If your heifers calve at 24-30 months, allow them an additional cycle to get their uterus back in shape for breeding again. You could set a management target for weight here when exposing your heifers to the bull. If above that weight, cut back on supplements, if below, increase supplements. There is money in early breeding - if you were to wait a year longer, those animals are taking up productive space and there is also the risk of your bulls jumping the fence which is not part of your planned breeding system.

Traits to accelerate reproduction

Make use of breeders who have livestock with Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs).

There are some EBVs to help select for heifer and cow production.

Efficient reproduction can be enhanced through the selection of specific traits, including:

• Days to Calving (DTC):Early calving cows often wean larger calves, which contributes to profitability.
• Rib Fat and Scrotal Size:These indicators can positively affect fertility rates in heifers and bulls, respectively.

Do not buy bulls without numbers! Do not just buy your bull based on its looks. Identify your bull supplier, find one that fits your system to make your operation more profitable. Do not buy bulls without scrotal size measurements - they are only worth slaughter value without these! Scrotal size indicates bull maturity and is positively correlated to female fertility.

Cost of production and cow efficiency

When managing a herd, the size of the cows can significantly influence profitability. While different environments may support various cow sizes, larger cows typically incur higher maintenance costs, impacting overall efficiency. A 50kg increase in cow weight can decrease efficiency by 2.5%.

Productive performance

Farmers are encouraged to evaluate their herd's growth metrics against industry benchmarks:

• Average weaning weight:Targeting a benchmark of 235 kg at 200 days is ideal.
• Carcass quality:Monitoring average carcass dressing percentages and fat cover will help unlock the economic value of the herd.

** The ZHB Beef School is an annual event which provides a platform for cattle producers to learn about optimising herd performance through strategic breeding objectives. By focusing on fertility, reproductive performance, cost efficiency, and overall production quality, farmers can pave a path to greater profitability, transforming their farming operations from mere hobbies into successful businesses.