Increase in average scrotal circumference of Canadian beef bulls

Abstract

In temperate climates, short growing seasons and long winter-feeding periods impose seasonal cattle management patterns upon producers. Efficient and economical herd management depends a great deal on maintaining short, well-defined, calving seasons. The advantages of short breeding seasons are applicable to tropical and subtropical regions as well as in temperate regions.1 Short calving periods result in a uniform calf crops that can be managed in groups for vaccination, castration, weaning, weighing for performance records, and for calf sales. It also allows cow herds to be managed in groups for maintaining vaccination programs, observation of breeding activity, synchronization of estrus and artificial insemination, pregnancy testing, culling for non-pregnancy and poor performance, and good nutritional management.