Registration is now open for the Virtual 2020 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Workshop, to be held Nov. 4-5. The program targets commercial and seedstock producers, the artificial insemination and allied industries and veterinarians interested in using or improving implementation of reproductive management tools and associated genetic tools.

“Cow/calf producers know that reproduction is the most economically important trait,” said Sandy Johnson, Kansas State University extension beef specialist. “Thus, reproductive management choices and implementation are critical to profitability.”  

Johnson is a member of the Beef Reproduction Task Force, which includes reproductive physiologists from land-grant universities who work together on reproductive management education.  

This year’s virtual program contains three segments utilizing a host of nationally recognized speakers.

The first segment focuses on cows and heifers and includes a presentation by Matt Perrier of Dalebanks Angus in Eureka, Kan., who will discuss how reproductive technologies have changed the ranch. Dr. Tom Geary, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Miles City, Mont., will share research on bull fertility, including nutritional effects and new measures as part of the bull segment. In the animal health and management segment, Dr. Lee Jones with the University of Georgia will discuss conception failures and pregnancy loss in beef cows and will help listeners optimize pregnancy rates.

The complete program schedule can be found on the newly updated BeefRepro.org website. Continuing education credits will be available.

An advantage of the virtual format is that there will be plenty of time for questions after each speaker, and the new website has an “ask the expert” tab, where questions can be submitted at any time.

The two-day program will go from 1 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 and 1-5 p.m. and 5:15-8 p.m. on Nov. 5. The program is free with prior registration. Register using these links:

The Beef Reproduction Task Force, together with the national Beef Reproduction Leadership Team, works to promote wider adoption of reproductive technologies among cow/calf producers, educate cow/calf producers about management considerations that will increase the likelihood of successful artificial insemination breeding and educate producers on marketing options to capture benefits that result from the use of improved reproductive technologies.

The group’s mission is to optimize the productivity and improve the profitability of cow/calf operations by facilitating the adoption of cost-effective applied reproductive technologies. The goal is to educate beef cattle producers on sustainable reproductive management systems to maintain U.S. leadership and competitiveness in the world beef market.