A. Purpose - The primary objective of this exercise is to utilize reproductive management principles and technologies to maximize reproductive performance in a beef herd. Emphasis should be given to the economical integration of reproductive management principles/technologies to accomplish specific reproductive goals. Prepare the plan as though you are going to present it to a loan officer in a bank. Consequently, the components of the plan (see section II below) should be clear, concise, and convincing!

B. Responsibilities of Group Members - Students will be divided into groups of three and each group will elect a Group Coordinator. The primary responsibilities of the Group Coordinator are to provide the instructor with an update of the groups’ progress and to inform the instructor of any problems the group is experiencing. The final plan must contain each of the sections listed under “Components of the Plan” (A to H). Each member of the group should research the items under Background, Plan for Genetic Improvement, and Marketing Plan and come to a consensus regarding the choice of breed, calving season, breeding season, sire selection, and marketing strategy. One member should write up the Background and Current Reproductive Performance. Another member should write up the Specific Goals and Strategies for Implementing the Goals, and the third another member should write up the Plan for Genetic Improvement and Marketing Plan. Group members should work together to perform the calculations for predicting pregnancy rate, pounds of calf weaned, and yearly economic summary. The final plan must include a statement of the specific contributions of each group member followed by each member’s signature.

C. Recommended Deadlines:

September 14 Meet as a group, choose a group coordinator, and decide when to meet on a regular basis.
September 21 Choose a breed or breed combination for your herd.
September 27 Assign responsibilities to group members.
October 12 Complete Background Info and Current Reproductive Performance.
October 26 Complete Specific Goals, Strategies for accomplishing goals, and Timeline.
November 9 Complete Prediction of Reproductive Performance, Economic Summary, and Plan for Genetic Improvement.
November 16 Review plan, make final modifications, prepare Reproductive and Economic Summary, and begin preparing oral presentation.
November 18 Reproductive Management Plan due by noon.

II. Components of the Plan

Background Information - Discuss in detail the farm/ranch environment (climate, terrain, primary forage, availability of grain, and stocking rate), season for calving, season for breeding, and choice of breed (or breed cross). You need to provide a strong justification of your choice of breed or breed cross!
Current Reproductive Performance - Identify the current level of reproductive performance in the herd, including the current breakeven price (cost per pound of calf weaned). Discuss in detail the reasons for the current low level of reproductive performance.
Specific Goals - List the specific goals you want to accomplish and justify each goal economically. Don't confuse goals and strategies. An example of a goal would be to increase the percent calf crop weaned from 72% to 85% and a strategy would be to increase the proportion of early calving cows.
Strategies for Implementing Goals - Discuss different strategies for accomplishing each goal (i.e. split the herd from one to two calving seasons per year, cull late calving cows and introduce early calving heifers, etc.). Include a timeline that illustrates changes in the length of the breeding and calving seasons over time.
Genetic Improvement Plan - Identify the specific breeding objectives for your herd and include the economically relevant traits that you will be giving emphasis to (i.e. calving ease, weaning weight, yearling weight, carcass traits, etc.). Note that the traits you select for must be consistent with your specific goals (part C) and your marketing plan (part F). You need to list specific AI sires and natural service sires and a justification for using each sire. Next you will calculate the effect these sires will have on the overall EPD profile for the herd for the five year period.
Marketing Plan - Write a description of your marketing plan and justify why your group chose a specific marketing system. For example, if you chose to market your calves at weaning you need to economically justify that this is the most economical option!
Prediction of Reproductive Performance - For each year, list the specific reproductive management practices that will be used to accomplish each goal and provide an annual timeline. Predict reproductive performance (pregnancy rate, pounds of calf weaned) and net profit or loss for each year using the computer program.
Reproductive and Economic Summary - Summarize the effect your management plan had on reproductive performance (pregnancy rate; pounds of calf weaned) and net profit or loss for each of the five years.
Additional Profit Center - Finally, you should identify an additional profit center for your operation (e.g. agrotourism, hunting expeditions, fishing expeditions, guest ranch, etc).