Effects of handling acclimation procedures prior to breeding on reproductive performance, handling reactivity and stress in beef heifers

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The goal of this Engage project is to compare the reproductive performance, reactivity at handling, and physiological indicators of stress from heifers subjected to handling acclimation procedures prior to the commencement of the breeding season, against a control group not exposed to the procedures. It is hypothesized that heifers exposed to the procedures will show greater pregnancy rates, with reduced reactivity and physiological response as an indicator of stress. If the project is successful, the beef producer partner will exploit the results by adopting the procedures as part of a standard protocol during the breeding services offered to his customers. The adoption of these procedures are anticipated to have a positive impact on the overall efficiency and profitability of cow-calf operations, which would benefit the partner and the Canadian beef industry.