Industry initiatives to improve young breeder performance in the Northern Territory

This project was undertaken to assess and improve heifer performance in the Northern Territory (NT) cattle industry. This was done through performance recording, research and demonstration of different heifer management practices on commercial properties and surveying cattle managers. This project showed that not only is there considerable room for improvement of first calf heifer fertility on NT properties, but also that improvement is achievable. Economic analysis showed that a 30% increase in first calf heifer re-conception rates would likely result in an increased annual gross margin of $10.95 million for the NT pastoral industry. - Abstract

[1]  R. Holroyd Foetal and calf wastage in Bos indicus cross beef genotypes. , 1987, Australian veterinary journal.

[2]  D. Lamond The influence of undernutrition on reproduction in the cow. , 1970 .

[3]  N. Frame Management of dystocia in cattle , 2006, In Practice.

[4]  Bd Hill,et al.  Clinical and pathological findings associated with congenital hypovitaminosis A in extensively grazed beef cattle. , 2009, Australian veterinary journal.

[5]  C. Kaltenbach,et al.  Nutrition and the postpartum interval of the ewe, sow and cow. , 1980, Journal of animal science.

[6]  R. Randel Nutrition and postpartum rebreeding in cattle. , 1990, Journal of animal science.

[7]  G. L. Bennett,et al.  Genetic parameters for growth, puberty, and beef cow reproductive traits in a puberty selection experiment , 2000 .

[8]  R. Short,et al.  Physiological mechanisms controlling anestrus and infertility in postpartum beef cattle. , 1990, Journal of animal science.

[9]  W. Grove Statistical Methods for Rates and Proportions, 2nd ed , 1981 .

[10]  G. Seifert,et al.  Factors affecting reproduction rates in a commercial Brahman crossbred herd , 1976 .

[11]  F. Montiel,et al.  Body condition and suckling as factors influencing the duration of postpartum anestrus in cattle: a review. , 2005, Animal reproduction science.

[12]  P. O’Rourke,et al.  A comparison of once- and twice-yearly weaning of an extensive herd in northern Australia 2. Progeny growth and heifer productivity , 1997 .

[13]  R. Harvey,et al.  Changes in metabolites, metabolic hormones, and luteinizing hormone before puberty in Angus, Braford, Charolais, and Simmental heifers. , 1991, Journal of animal science.

[14]  M. W. Richards,et al.  Effect of Varying Levels of Postpartum Nutrition and Body Condition at Calving on Subsequent Reproductive Performance in Beef Cattle , 1986 .

[15]  J. McIvor,et al.  The northern Australian beef industry, a snapshot. 2. Breeding herd performance and management , 2005 .

[16]  John A. Nelder,et al.  Generalized linear models. 2nd ed. , 1993 .

[17]  H. T. Purvis,et al.  Effects of feeding energy or protein supplements before or after calving on performance of spring-calving cows grazing native range. , 1995, Journal of animal science.

[18]  D. Lamond Sources of variation in reproductive performance in selected herds of beef cattle in north-eastern Australia. , 1969, Australian veterinary journal.

[19]  B. Arthur,et al.  Reproductive performance of beef cattle in northwestern Queensland. , 1979, Australian veterinary journal.

[20]  P. O'rourke,et al.  Fetal development and gestational changes in Bos taurus and Bos indicus genotypes in the tropics. , 1991, Theriogenology.

[21]  Growth rates of British breed calves in central Australia , 1979 .

[22]  S. Hileman,et al.  Effects of nutrition and season on the onset of puberty in the beef heifer. , 1992, Journal of animal science.

[23]  M. Hearnden,et al.  Heifer fertility on commercial cattle properties in the Northern Territory , 2008 .

[24]  F. Dawson Infertility in beef cattle. , 1970 .

[25]  W. L. Reynolds,et al.  Factors influencing gestation length, birth weight and calf survival of Angus, Zebu and Zebu cross beef cattle. , 1980, Journal of animal science.