Research May Lead to Increased Cattle Value

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Tom Devine

Tom Devine, a graduate student in the department of animal science, is conducting research that may give future cattlemen a higher profit on their herd.

Cattle producers can potentially lose money on lightweight heifers because they reach puberty late and cannot be used for replacements, and they simply have less overall value.

For his research, Devine is administering three doses of growth implants with varying components to low-end heifers. After a period of time, Devine will use several tests to determine the success of each component and gauge the value added to the heifers due to the accelerated growth caused by the implants.

After a recovery period, ultrasounds will be done to see the physical effects the components have on various reproductive organs. Post breeding, the heifers will be checked for pregnancies to evaluate conception rates. There is currently no conclusive data measuring this effect. This research could help future producers pinpoint different management strategies that help add value and increase profit margins in low-end cattle.