Great Plains Heifer Development Program Opens Doors
LINCOLN, Neb., October 16, 2023 — Amid historic lows in the nation's cowherd, Nebraska and South Dakota State University are spearheading the Great Plains Heifer Development Program, to help beef producers optimize heifer development and reproductive efficiency.
Located at the Haskell Beef Lab near Concord, Neb., the program is opening its doors to consigners eager to enhance their heifer development strategies, offering a unique blend of services focused on the foundational principles of heifer selection, feeding, management strategies, genetic tools for sire selection, estrus synchronization protocols, post breeding management, and more.
Connor Biehler, beef extension educator at Nebraska, and Kiernan Brandt, professional service technician with Travs Ova Genetics have a shared vision. Biehler said, "This is where the rubber meets the road for cattle producers, where we can address the real challenges producers encounter in optimizing heifer reproduction, making informed breeding decisions, and ensuring the longevity and productivity of their herds.”
In an era where genetic tools are advancing rapidly, the Great Plains Heifer Development Program will serve as a platform for testing cutting-edge technologies, all while staying in alignment with Beef Improvement Federation genetic goals to ensure the heifers not only meet but advance industry standards.
Beyond providing a service, the Great Plains Heifer Development Program seeks to create a robust learning community. Producers are encouraged to actively engage, fostering open communication, and sharing knowledge. Collaboration is invited, including contributions from producers who may want to provide high-accuracy sires or genetic input. This collaborative spirit aims to create a collective platform that benefits the entire cattle industry.
The program will begin accepting cattle in mid-December. To learn more about heifer qualification guidelines, health requirements and more, contact Biehler at 402-624-8007 or cbiehler2@unl.edu or click here.
Source: IANR Communications
