Skip to navigation Skip to content

Prebreeding Exams for Beef Replacement Heifers

infoOnline course help

Learn how to create an account, register, pay and more.

Inscribirse en un curso de Extensión

Please use your full name as you want it to appear on your course certificate (if applicable) when creating your account and registering.

Description

This self-paced course focuses on pre-breeding evaluation of beef replacement heifers in commercial cow-calf operations. It features a recorded presentation by Jordan Thomas, Ph.D., and is approved for 1 hour of veterinary continuing education (CE) credit through the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.

VIEW ADDITIONAL NCARG COURSES >

Syllabus

Course Description

Pre-breeding evaluation of beef replacement heifers can provide practical information that improves both selection and development decisions. This course presents a commercial-cowherd perspective on the purpose and value of pre-breeding exams.

The presentation explains how pelvic measurement and reproductive tract scoring are used as screening tools rather than selection tools. It also discusses how these findings should be interpreted within the context of the whole operation, including nutrition, calving distribution, sire selection, heifer maturity, and herd history of calving difficulty. Practical use of these exams to support culling decisions, synchronization programs, and long-term management improvement is also reviewed.

Learning Objectives

Individuals who complete this course will be able to:

  1. Explain the purpose of pre-breeding evaluation in beef replacement heifers.
  2. Describe how pelvic measurements are collected and interpreted as a screening tool for dystocia risk.
  3. Interpret reproductive tract scores and relate them to pubertal status and expected breeding performance.
  4. Use pre-breeding exam findings to evaluate heifer development, culling decisions, and herd management practices.

Presenter: Jordan Thomas, Ph.D.

Jordan Thomas is an assistant professor in the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri. Dr. Thomas is a Missouri native and University of Missouri alumnus, having earned his Ph.D. in Animal Sciences with an emphasis in Reproductive Physiology in 2017. Dr. Thomas maintains an active applied research program in reproductive management of beef cattle, coordinating the breeding program for cattle across the University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station Research Center herds. Additionally, Dr. Thomas is active in collaborative efforts in education and outreach, such as the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program, the National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genomics (NCARG), and the Center for Regenerative Agriculture. The primary research focus of the Thomas lab is control of the bovine estrous cycle, specifically to facilitate use of reproductive technologies such as timed artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

Continuing Education (CE) Credit

This course is approved for 1 hour of veterinary continuing education (CE) credit by the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.

To earn CE credit, you must:

  • View the full presentation or read the transcript
  • Complete the 5-question quiz with at least 4 correct answers
  • Download your CE certificate (instructions are provided in the module)

Please note: It is the participant’s responsibility to verify whether CE credit from an AVMA-accredited veterinary college meets the requirements of their state or licensing jurisdiction.

Course Evaluation

A brief, optional evaluation is available at the end of the course. Your feedback is valuable and helps improve future offerings.

Accessibility & Support

  • All videos include closed captions and downloadable transcripts.
  • For disability-related accommodations, please contact MU Extension ADA Support (muextensionadasupport@missouri.edu)
  • Canvas Support: at@umsystem.edu
  • Course Coordinator: Craig Payne (payneca@missouri.edu)

Accommodations

We all learn differently, and we want every student to succeed. University of Missouri Extension complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a disability and need accommodations in connection with this course, or you need materials in an alternate format, please notify your instructor as soon as possible so that necessary arrangements can be made.

MU Extension Equal opportunity, ADA institution information.

Inclusive Course Design

This course was created with a wide range of learners in mind. The materials are designed to be accessible and support different ways of learning.

Technical Requirements

Minimum Technology

  • A reliable high-speed internet connection (DSL or cable recommended)
  • A computer with an up-to-date operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
  • A current web browser, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari
  • A processor speed of at least 1 GHz (or higher)

Technical & Digital Information Literacy Skills

  • Ability to download, open, and save Microsoft Word and PDF documents
  • Basic familiarity with Canvas features
  • Use of basic computer peripherals: speakers or headphones for audio

Download the Canvas Student App to access your Canvas course from your mobile device.

For the best user experience, we recommend using Google Chrome as your browser (Safari for Macintosh). If you don't have Google Chrome installed on your computer, you can download the latest version of Chrome.

If you have technical questions or need additional help, please email Canvas Support. You can find more information on the technical requirements on the Canvas website.

Course Completion

Upon completion of all required components, participants may download a CE certificate from within the Canvas course. If needed, a transcript of completed MU Extension online courses may also be accessed through your Catalog account.

 

Prebreeding Exams for Beef Replacement Heifers
Related programs