The cattle business is full of decisions!

Some have a small impact, while others influence herd productivity and profitability for years. During a presentation on applied cow-calf management systems, University of Florida Animal Sciences professor Dr. Todd Thrift outlined several management practices that consistently separate successful operations from average ones. While every ranch is different, research and industry experience suggest that focusing on a few key areas can generate substantial returns.

1. Utilize a Defined Calving Season

A controlled calving season remains one of the most effective management tools available to cow-calf producers. Concentrated calving seasons simplify nutrition programs, vaccination schedules, breeding management, and marketing decisions.

Research has consistently shown that herds with shorter calving seasons produce more uniform calf crops and allow producers to identify open or late-breeding cows more effectively. Cows that calve during the first 21 days of the calving season generally wean calves that are 30 to 50 pounds heavier than calves born later simply because they are older at weaning (Funston et al., 2012). Early-calving cows also tend to remain in the herd longer and produce more pounds of calf over their lifetime.

2. Develop Heifers to Calve at Two Years of Age

Replacement heifers represent a significant investment, and delaying first calving reduces lifetime productivity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that heifers calving as two-year-olds generally produce more calves over their lifetime than females that enter production later.

The Beef Reproduction Task Force recommends developing replacement heifers to reach approximately 60 to 65 percent of their expected mature body weight by the start of the breeding season. Research indicates that females bred successfully as yearlings tend to have greater lifetime productivity and longevity than those that calve later (Patterson et al., 2010).

3. Monitor Body Condition Closely

Body condition score (BCS) is one of the best predictors of reproductive success. Research from Oklahoma State University found that cows calving in a BCS of 5 or greater achieved significantly higher pregnancy rates than cows in poorer condition (Selk et al., 1988).

A cow that calves in poor condition often requires additional time to resume estrous cycles after calving. This delay can result in open cows, later-born calves, and reduced profitability. For spring-calving herds, maintaining cows in a BCS of 5 to 6 remains one of the most effective strategies for improving reproductive performance.

4. Use Crossbreeding to Capture Heterosis

Crossbreeding remains one of the few management practices that can improve performance without increasing inputs.

According to long-term research conducted by the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, heterosis can increase calf weaning weights by approximately 5 percent while improving cow longevity, pregnancy rates, and calf survival. In some systems, crossbred cows have been shown to wean up to 25 percent more lifetime calf weight than straightbred cows due to improvements in both reproduction and longevity (Cundiff and Gregory, 1999).

For commercial cow-calf producers, crossbreeding continues to be one of the most economical ways to improve productivity.

5. Keep Meaningful Records

Many producers believe recordkeeping requires sophisticated software, but valuable information can be collected with simple systems. Tracking calving dates, weaning weights, pregnancy status, and health records allows producers to identify both top-performing and underperforming animals.

Studies examining benchmarking programs across beef operations consistently show that producers who use performance records make more effective culling, replacement, and marketing decisions.

The phrase “you can’t manage what you don’t measure” remains especially true in the cattle industry.

6. Invest in Bull Selection

A single bull can influence the genetics of dozens of calves each year. Because half of every calf’s genetic makeup comes from the sire, bull selection has a tremendous impact on herd performance.

Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) provide producers with tools to evaluate traits such as calving ease, growth, carcass merit, and maternal performance. Research by the Beef Improvement Federation has demonstrated that genetic progress occurs more rapidly through sire selection than through any other single management decision because one bull influences so many offspring.

7. Maintain a Comprehensive Herd Health Program

Preventive health programs are generally far less expensive than treating disease outbreaks.

Vaccination programs, parasite control, and regular veterinary involvement improve herd performance and reduce production losses. The USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) has reported substantial economic losses associated with respiratory disease and internal parasites in beef cattle. Calves experiencing respiratory disease often exhibit reduced average daily gain and lower feedlot performance later in life.

A strong veterinarian-client-patient relationship also helps producers remain compliant with changing regulations regarding animal health products and prescription medications.

8. Manage Pastures to Avoid Overgrazing

Pasture management is often overlooked when discussing cow-calf profitability. However, forage represents the least expensive source of nutrients available to most beef operations.

Research from the University of Florida and other land-grant institutions has shown that overstocking reduces forage persistence, decreases carrying capacity over time, and often increases supplemental feed costs. Proper stocking rates improve forage utilization while helping maintain pasture productivity and soil health.

9. Pay Attention to Cull Cow Marketing

Cull cows typically account for 15 to 25 percent of annual cow-calf revenue and may contribute even more during periods of strong cattle prices (Peel, Oklahoma State University).

Marketing cows before they become excessively thin, lame, or unsound can substantially increase their value. Studies have shown that modest improvements in body condition prior to sale can significantly increase cull cow value, often generating returns that exceed feeding costs.

10. Focus on the Fundamentals

The cattle industry continually offers new technologies, products, and management systems. While innovation has value, the most profitable operations often excel at the basics.

Good nutrition, sound genetics, effective health programs, reproductive efficiency, and disciplined culling remain the foundation of successful cow-calf production. Research from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Integrated Resource Management programs has repeatedly found that high-profit herds consistently perform well in these fundamental areas regardless of herd size.

Final Thoughts

There is no single practice that guarantees success in the cow-calf business. Instead, profitability is usually the result of many small management decisions made correctly over time. The recommendations outlined by Dr. Todd Thrift emphasize practices that improve reproductive efficiency, increase calf performance, and strengthen long-term herd productivity. When combined with sound economic decision-making, these management principles can help producers position their operations for continued success in an increasingly competitive industry.

References

Cundiff, L.V., and K.E. Gregory. 1999. What is Systematic Crossbreeding? U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA-ARS.

Funston, R.N., D.J. Larson, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2012. Effects of maternal nutrition on conceptus growth and offspring performance. Journal of Animal Science 90(E-Suppl): E30-E45.

Patterson, D.J., M.F. Smith, and colleagues. 2010. Beef Reproduction Task Force Heifer Development Guidelines. University of Missouri Extension.

Peel, D.S. 2023. Cull Cow Marketing Strategies and Economics. Oklahoma State University Extension.

Selk, G.E., R.P. Wettemann, K.S. Lusby, J.W. Oltjen, S.L. Mobley, R.J. Rasby, and J.C. Garmendia. 1988. Relationships among weight change, body condition and reproductive performance of range beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 66:3153-3159.

USDA-APHIS. National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). Beef Cow-Calf Health and Management Practices Reports.

Beef Improvement Federation. 2024. Guidelines for Uniform Beef Improvement Programs.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Integrated Resource Management Program Publications.