June can make the breeding season seem better than it actually is.In West Texas and the Southern Plains, pastures may look healthy in June, but heat can impact cattle before it’s obvious. By the time you notice cows losing condition or bulls tiring, conception rates may already be falling.
Even experienced producers can get caught off guard. Heat stress not only makes cattle uncomfortable; it also alters grazing, reduces feed intake, increases water needs, and forces cows to use more energy to stay cool. Grass quality declines, flies rise, and bulls must work harder. These combined factors can quickly reduce reproduction rates.
This matters because June’s problems do not end in June. Poor breed-back can lead to open cows, late calves, lighter weaning weights, and a longer calving season than you planned. A cow that does not get bred early costs more than most people think. Every pound at weaning is important.
If you want a better, more profitable calf crop next year, now is the time to pay attention. Success during hot breeding seasons starts with checking cow condition, water, forage quality, minerals, fly pressure, and bull performance before small issues become costly.
If you’ve spent more than five minutes outside in a West Texas summer, you already know — that the sun doesn’t play nice. It’s hot, relentless, and doesn’t let up. Now picture being out there in that blazing heat… wearing a thick fur coat… weighing close to 200 pounds… and only being a few weeks old.
