Hair Shedding the Secret to Higher Weaning Weights and Conception Rates

Today, Shaye Wanner interviews Jamie Courter, a University of Missouri assistant professor and genetics extension specialist, about research and producer use of cattle hair shedding scores. Corder explains hair shedding’s link to heat stress—especially in the Southeast with endophyte-infected fescue—and summarizes findings that earlier-shedding cows wean heavier calves, including Simmental data showing hair shed score 1 cows weaned calves 45 pounds heavier than score 5 cows.  

She describes the 1–5 scoring system, typical shedding pattern, and recommends scoring the whole herd on the same day when variation is greatest, noting bulls shed earlier and younger cows score higher than mature cows within a year. She discusses recent genomic work suggesting shedding relates more to changing daylight than temperature, notes variation exists within all breeds, and points listeners to University of Missouri Extension publications for scoring guidance and research details. 

Catch more conversations like this one and learn more at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ 

Learn more about hair shedding research at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g2049 

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00:51 Jamie’s background  01:37 Why hair shedding matters  03:39 Research results and economics  05:02 Daylight vs temperature genetics  08:37 Scoring timing and method  11:39 Bulls calves and age effects  16:47 Consistent scoring observers  17:48 Across breeds and selection  21:49 Culling signals and resources