Clinical Use of Reproductive Tract Scoring To Predict Pregnancy Outcome

Abstract

The relative economic importance of reproductive traits to the beef industry is estimated at twice the importance of beef production traits and four times the importance of product traits.¹ The selection and management of replacement heifers influence the reproductive efficiency of the cattle industry.² Heifers that mature early are capable of being bred earlier in a controlled breeding season and will wean a heavier calf.³ These heifers tend to breed early each breeding season for the rest of their reproductive life and have a lifetime heavier weaned calf weight.⁴ With this economic value placed on reproduction, ways to measure and predict reproductive efficiency in cattle are needed. One method to estimate reproductive efficiency was developed by researchers at Colorado State University.⁵ A reproductive tract scoring (RTS) system was developed as an indirect determination of age at puberty.