By Rod Schaub, Frontier Extension District Livestock Agent
OTTAWA, Kan. — The U.S. beef cow inventory is at its lowest mark in 62 years. As of January 2024, the U.S. cow herd was only 28.2 million cows. Will the U.S. beef industry rebuild? If so, when will the rebuild start?
To explore topics surrounding these questions, K-State Research and Extension offices in the region will host a heifer replacement/retention meeting on February 13, 2025, at Ottawa Memorial Auditorium, 301 S. Hickoryin Ottawa beginning with a meal at 6 p.m.; the program will start at 6:30 p.m. RSVP for the event by Feb. 11th to Frontier Extension District agriculture agent Rod Schaub by calling 785-828-4438 or by emailing [email protected]. Free will donations will be kindly accepted to offset the cost of the meal.
Dr. Jason Warner, KSRE cow/calf specialist will discuss two options for building the cow herd: retaining heifers and purchasing replacement heifers. He will also discuss management techniques — both for retention and replacement heifers — and how to develop the best cow possible.
“Regardless of how the herd is built, the goal is longevity in the cow herd,” said Schaub.
A hot topic when talking about heifer management is estrus synchronization, which will be covered by Dr. Sandy Johnson, a KSRE beef systems specialist who focuses on reproductive physiology. Estrus synchronization may be used to tighten the calving intervals of heifers and lessen the time a producer spends watching them at calving. Numerous estrus synchronization protocols exist whether using artificial insemination or a bull.
“Both specialists will also identify and discuss opportunity costs and other expenses associated with growing, breeding and managing heifers,” said Schaub. “Once costs are identified, producers have a better understanding of what they can afford to pay for replacement heifers.”
According to Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension ag marketing specialist, the number of heifers marketed since midsummer 2024 in Oklahoma has decreased. Peel said this data isn’t definitive, but it could be an early indication that a few producers are starting to retain heifers.
Come learn about the importance of heifer management and synchronization protocols. The meeting is being hosted by the following K-State Research and Extension units: the Frontier District, the Maris des Cygnes District, and Coffey, Douglas, and Shawnee counties. Mark your calendars and plan to attend.
