The True Cost of Cutting Corners in Breeding Season

Tight Margins

Cattle producers are no strangers to tight margins. Feed costs climb; weather shifts and every season seems to bring a new challenge. But there is one area where “Saving” money almost always backfires: Breeding Season Nutrition

According to Ted Perry, director of beef cattle technical services with Purina Animal Nutrition. Reproduction is the number one factor driving profitability in a cow-calf operation. “If a cow doesn’t get bred, she doesn’t have a calf,” Perry explains. ” That sounds simple, but it’s the most important truth in the business.

With calf prices currently strong, producers may be tempted to economize on nutrition. But as Perry warns, “It’s cheaper to cut back, but that cheap ration can cost a fortune.

The Economics of Early Conception

Calves born early in the calving season are typically worth more. On average, calves gain a little more than two pounds per day.

At approximately $4 per pound, each day a calf could add $8 in value. Multiply that across 21 days in a calving cycle over an entire herd, and the economic incentive is obvious.

One hidden risk is embryonic loss. Perry points out that early embryonic loss can mean lower profitability. A cow that loses her embryo and conceives again six to eight weeks later will result in a calf that is 100 to 120 pounds lighter at weaning.

This represents a significant revenue hit at today’s prices.

“These calves are worth around $2,500 a piece right now,” says Perry. “They’re gaining $8 a day, but we have to make sure we’re feeding them so they can continue to do that when we get them weaned off with the minimum amount of stress.” There are key nutrition factors to manage stress and avoid losses:

Body Condition Score (BCS):

The goal is a BCS of six, a little over 20% body fat. At this level, cows are most likely to conceive and maintain pregnancy. Lower scores compromise reproduction because cows will prioritize milk production over fertility.

Manure Scores:

Manure is a window into the rumen. “If it gets stacky and you see a bunch of fiber in the manure, that fiber did not get used in the rumen,” Perry explains. “The first thing we need to look at is mineral status, because rumen microbes need phosphorus.”

Mineral Status:

Adequate mineral intake ensures rumen microbes can ferment forage efficiently so cows can support both lactation and pregnancy. Minerals are the baseline for herd health and fertility. For fall-calving herds, December brings peak lactation at the same time breeding begins, often in harsh weather. Energy and mineral intake are essential to sustain fertility. Spring-calving herds face a different challenge in November: weaning. Calves consuming minerals directly benefit from stronger immune systems and better vaccine responses.

Looking ahead and managing risk One way producers can safeguard against these challenges is by using targeted supplements. Purina® Wind and Rain® ProCycle® tub with CX8™ Additive Technology, a self-fed option designed to support cattle during critical stress windows, is an example of one of those proven tools that can help give producers peace of mind during transitions. High calf prices also provide an opportunity to manage risk in the future.

Market Outlook

Markets are cyclical, and that volatility means producers must know what works now, before margins tighten. “A few years from now, we may be having the opposite conversation about how to maintain reproduction in a lower-margin environment,” says Perry. “That makes today the time to fine-tune your nutrition strategy, while you have the margin to experiment and learn what works best on your operation.” The bottom line Breeding season is not the time to cut corners. Every cow that conceives early and maintains her pregnancy adds value to your bottom line. Every calf weaned heavier and healthier strengthens your position in a volatile market.

Tools like Purina® Wind and Rain® ProCycle® with CX8™ Additive Technology deliver advanced nutrition in a convenient form to help producers protect both their calves and their cows during times of stress. When the stakes are high, investing in high-quality nutrition is a practical way to protect profitability. “She has to breed. If we try to cheapen up the ration and we lose cows either in conception or increase open cows, that cheap ration has cost us a fortune,” says Perry. For today’s cattlemen, the message is clear: invest in nutrition during breeding season to support overall cattle health and performance. The returns in conception, calf weight and herd profitability will outweigh the costs. To learn more about cattle nutrition, visit purinamills.com/cattle-feed.

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