Effect of age at puberty/conception date on cow longevity.

Age at puberty is a critical trait, because pregnancy success during the breeding season is correlated with the percentage of heifers that reach puberty before or early in the breeding season. A negative genetic correlation between age at puberty and heifer pregnancy rate indicate that selection to decrease age at puberty would increase heifer pregnancy rates. Calving late has been reported to increase the chance of calving late or not calving the following year, and heifers need to wean 3 to 5 calves to pay for development costs. Therefore, puberty is important to the sustainability and profitability of beef operations.