Welcome to episode 14 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Elke Hocking from Elke Hocking Consulting. Elke talks about the importance of measuring and monitoring to manage for reproductive success in heifers. 

Your host, Tanisha Shields and Elke discuss that by proactively managing weaner heifers to achieve critical mating weight targets and condition scores prior to joining (60% of SRW prior to heifer joining and 85-90% of SRW prior to second joining), beef businesses have the potential to improve the reproduction rates in their heifers and second calving cows.

This episode covers that by developing an annual management and health plan for their beef business, producers can optimise the health and welfare of their animals, reduce mortality rates in their herd, achieve target liveweights and realise the genetic potential of their herd.

To watch our webinar with Elke head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

To find out about the project head to: https://www.mackillopgroup.com.au/blog/reproductive-health-and-management-practices-for-beef-heifers/1577113  

More information about condition scoring cattle can be found here: 

• https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/content/uploads/2021/07/BCSG_A6_FINAL.pdf
• https://youtu.be/DzOLbANRa_0?si=eYgKVYjjvMSpOB1v

Other links to resources to provide more information on this topic are:
Final Report: https://www.mla.com.au/research-and-development/reports/2024/p.psh.1280---pds-reproductive-health-and-management-practices-for-beef-heifers/

More Beef from Pastures manuals: https://mbfp.mla.com.au/  

https://paraboss.com.au/annual-program/western-victoria-and-south-australia/

https://www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/tools-calculators/Cost-of-production/

This episode is brought to you by Agrista in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia.