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The objectives of the current experiment were to determine if delaying insemination by 8 h in a FTAI protocol would alter estrus expression and pregnancy rates in cows inseminated with sex-sorted semen, characterize bull variation in pregnancy rates to sex-sorted semen and examine the impact of repeated years of FTAI to sex-sorted semen on calving distribution. Over three breeding seasons, postpartum cows (n = 839) were estrous synchronized using the 5-day CO-Synch + CIDR system. Cows were given GnRH (100 μg i.m., Factrel) at time of insertion of a controlled internal drug releasing device (CIDR; Eazi-Breed CIDR). Five d later CIDR was removed and PGF (25 mg i.m., Lutalyse) was given at removal and 8 h later. Estrus detection aids were applied at CIDR removal. Cows were inseminated with X-sorted or Y-sorted sex-sorted semen at 72 h (NORM) or 80 h (DELAY) after CIDR removal, and GnRH was administered at AI. At insemination, estrus status was categorized as positive (YES), partial (QUES), unknown (NR) or negative (NO). Bulls were introduced to cows at 14 d and removed at 60 d after FTAI. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound at d 60 after FTAI and via palpation at 60 d after bull removal. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in pregnancy rates to sex-sorted semen or final pregnancy rates between NORM and DELAY cows. Pregnancy to sex-sorted semen averaged 35.2% whereas final pregnancy rates were 90.6%. More cows (P < 0.05) in the DELAY group expressed estrus before FTAI, but this increase did not alter pregnancy rates to sex-sorted semen. Expression of estrus before FTAI increased (P < 0.02) pregnancy rates to sex-sorted semen across treatments with differences being YES > QUES or NR > NO. There was considerable variation in pregnancy rate by bull (P < 0.05) with pregnancy rates ranging from 55.6% to 19.3%. Whole herd calving distribution was altered (P < 0.05) after 3 y of use of sex-sorted semen compared to the previous 3 y when conventional semen was used. We conclude that delaying insemination by 8 h in an FTAI protocol did not improve pregnancy rates to sex-sorted semen despite more cows exhibiting estrus before FTAI. In addition, a high bull to bull variation in pregnancy rates to sex-sorted semen is a limitation in FTAI systems. Further research into FTAI strategies for use with sex-sorted semen is warranted.

Profitability of a beef operation is determined by the proportion of cows attaining pregnancy early in the breeding season and those that are pregnant at the end of breeding season. Many factors, including temperament, contribute to those reproductive parameters. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of temperament on reproductive performance of beef cows. In Experiment 1, Angus and Angus-cross beef cows (n = 1546) from eight locations were assigned a body condition score (BCS; 1 = emaciated; 9 = obese) and chute exit and gait score (1 = slow exit, walk; calm temperament; 2 = jump, trot or run; excitable temperament). Cows were grouped with bulls (1 : 25 to 1 : 30; with satisfactory breeding potential and free of venereal disease) for an 85-day breeding season. Pregnancy status and stage of gestation were determined (transrectal palpation) 35 days after the end of the breeding season. Controlling for BCS (p < 0.01) and handling facility (p < 0.0001) and handling facility by temperament score interaction (p < 0.001), breeding season pregnancy rate was lower in excited versus calm cows [88.6% (798/901) vs 94.1% (607/645); p < 0.001]. Cows with an excitable temperament took 24 more days to become pregnant compared to calm cows (median days to pregnancy, 35 vs 59 days; p < 0.0001). In Experiment 2, Angus and Angus-cross beef cows (n = 1407) from 8 locations were assigned scores for body condition and chute exit and gait (as described in Experiment 1) and assigned to bulls (breeding sound and free of venereal disease; 1 : 25 to 1 : 30) for 85 days. Pregnancy status was determined by transrectal palpation at 2 and 6 months after the onset of the breeding season. Controlling for BCS (p < 0.05), pregnancy loss was higher in excited versus calm cows [5.5% (36/651) vs 3.2% (20/623), p < 0.0001]. In conclusion, beef cows with an excitable temperament had significantly lower reproductive performance than calmer cows. The modified two-point chute exit-gait scoring method was repeatable and identified cattle with an excitable temperament.