SCC72: Enhancing Reproductive Efficiency in Cattle (S-284)
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
SCC72: Enhancing Reproductive Efficiency in Cattle (S-284)
Duration: 10/01/2007 to 09/30/2012
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Reproductive efficiency is the single greatest factor influencing gross revenues and profitability in the cow-calf enterprises that make up the beef cattle industry in the southeastern United States. Approximately 40% (14 million head) of all the cows in the US are located in the region represented by SCC-072. According to recent USDA statistics, fewer than 5% of all beef producers implement reproductive management tools to increase the reproductive performance of their herds. Improvements in this area will increase the number of calves and thus the income to producers.
As reproductive traits are lowly heritable, improvement in reproductive performance will be primarily affected by management. This group exists to exchange information concerning reproductive management and to facilitate discussion among researchers and extension specialists in the cattle reproduction arena and thus will be able to disseminate findings related to reproductive performance and help bring about those improvements. Cattle producers are the ultimate stakeholders served by this activity. Extension agents and others who work with producers as well as the entire beef industry will also benefit from the activities of this group.
Objectives
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To exchange information about the role of genetic and environmental factors that influence attainment of puberty in heifers and on management programs that will result in more efficient development of replacement heifers and improved lifetime reproductive performance of cows
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To discuss behavioral and endocrine events associated with estrus and ovulation in cattle and to enhance reproductive efficiency by the optimal timing of insemination
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To promote the exchange of research results which will foster and encourage collaborative research and minimize duplication of efforts between institutions
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To develop educational tools such as extension publications or presentations on reproductive management issues
Procedures and Activities
The SCC-072 will hold its Annual Meeting in conjunction with the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists meeting. Most participants are regular attendees there. At the meeting an invited presentation will be given and afterward station reports will be presented followed by a round-table discussion. Then participants will be asked which reproductive management questions are most important in the Southern region and what can the group do to address those. At this point collaborative research projects will be discussed and a subcommittee may be formed to plan research protocols. Research protocols will be distributed to the group via email so any that wish to participate can do so.
Examples of successful extension programs will also be addressed and presentations or publications may be shared with the group. Further consultations for research and extension activities will be coordinated by email and if necessary a group may meet at the ASAS annual meetings.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Identification of critical research and extension issues in cattle reproductive management/ Stimulation of research designed to address those critical issues
- Development of programs to address common problems in the region/State educational programs developed will reach 500-1000 producers.
- Collaborative projects will be developed/Joint publications will result for these projects.
- Dissemination of findings related to reproductive management/ Increased implementation of reproductive management techniques and increased income to producers.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
SCC-072 will meet annually at the Southern Agricultural Workers meetings as all participants are regular attendees of this meeting. Each meeting will have an invited presentation that will focus on innovations in reproductive physiology and/or reproductive management. The meeting will also include station reports from each state and round-table discussions on the findings presented and potential establishment of collaborative projects. Subcommittees may be formed to develop research protocols for those wishing to participate. Meetings will focus on prioritizing research questions that can be addressed by participants.
Each member will disseminate information back to stakeholders in their states through presentations and extension publications. Workshops and other educational opportunities for stakeholders will be held. The group will collaborate to develop extension publications and presentations to be shared among the group and among extension specialists and agents in the states represented. Distribution will be tracked in order to estimate the number of producers reached. Assessment via survey of agents and producers in these states will be made in the final year of the project to determine effectiveness in adoption of management techniques and roadblocks as seen by producers to more widespread adoption.
Organization/Governance
SCC-072 will be governed by three officers and the administrative advisors. The officers will consist of a President, Secretary and Member-at-Large. A new Member-at-Large will be elected at the annual meeting each year with the previous one moving up to Secretary and the Secretary becoming the new President. The officers will be responsible for the organization of the meeting and submission of the minutes.
Literature Cited
Kasimanickan, R., J.C. Collier, J. Wuenschell, J.B. Hall, D.W. Whittier. 2006. Effect of timing of prostaglandin administration, controlled intravaginal drug release removal and gonadotropin releasing hormone administration on pregnancy rate in fixed timed AI programs in crossbred Angus cows. Theriogenology 66:166-172.
NAHMS, 1997.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov:80/vs/ceah/cahm/Beef-Cow-Calf/beef.htm