Know Your Heifer: Paths to Reproductive Efficiency in Florida Beef Herds

In this episode of Cow Talks, University of Florida specialists Dr. Marcelo Wallau and Dr. Mario Binelli break down why understanding heifer maturity is one of the most powerful levers for improving reproductive and economic efficiency in Southeastern beef systems. Drawing on UF’s statewide “Know Your Heifer” project and data from over 5,000 heifers, the conversation explores how tools like reproductive tract scoring and progesterone-based protocols can dramatically improve pregnancy rates. The episode connects physiology and management offering producers practical insight into how earlier cycling and targeted reproductive technologies can lead to more resilient production systems in Florida’s environment. For more on Know Your Heifer, check out the following link: https://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/beef/kyh/