Our Heifer Raising Program

Here are a list of service that we provide:

Marshland Acres Reproductive Philosophy

The reproductive program at Marshland Acres is focused on the final product; a heifer that calves at the proper age, and body condition ready to be a high producing, long lasting member of our client's herds. Producers are allowed to choose individualized voluntary waiting periods that meet their individual goals. Heifers are moved to the breeding pens weekly as they meet the voluntary waiting period and are injected with prostaglandin immediately to induce estrus. Heifers are observed for signs of estrus in the morning by the insemination crews. All heifers in the breeding pens are locked daily in headlocks so each heifer can have its tail paint examined and reapplied. Heifers not showing visual signs of estrus in 14 days from entry into the breeding pen are injected with a second dose of prostaglandin, and observed daily for seven days. All heifers not inseminated after the initial two doses of prostaglandin are enrolled into a five-day CIDR Co-synch program and are inseminated by appointment eight days later.

Pregnancy examinations are performed weekly with trans-rectal ultrasound. All heifers are examined 31-37 days since last breeding. Heifers diagnosed open are enrolled in one of two programs. Heifers that have a corpus luteum are given prostaglandin immediately, and are observed for visual signs of estrus for seven days. If the heifers fail to display estrus via visual heat signs or removed tail paint, they are enrolled in the five day CIDR Co-synch program. Open heifers at the pregnancy examination that do not have a corpus luteum are enrolled in a five day CIDR Co-synch program and are inseminated eight days later. Recheck examinations are also preformed weekly at approximately 65-72 days since last breeding according to individual owner's desires. We also perform fetal gender determination at that time on animals whose owners request that service. Heifers are also examined for pregnancy a final time prior to their return home.

Reproductive performance is tracked via monthly analysis on DC305. We track age to first breeding, age to pregnancy, pregnancy rate, fetal loss rates, and conception rates for different reproductive codes.

The goal of the program is to have the heifers get pregnant after the voluntary waiting period as quickly possible and heifers that do not become pregnant to be re-inseminated as quickly as possible. Efficient reproduction allows for reduced days on feed, which reduces rearing costs to our customers. More importantly, heifers calving at a younger age spend more of their life as income producing animals, providing positive cash flow for our customers.