The University of Idaho (UI) Fort Hall Extension, supported by USDA’s Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program, is transforming beef cattle herds on the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho.
By introducing an annual bull grading program, Extension agent Danielle Gunn helps ranchers improve cattle genetics, reduce calving difficulties and boost herd profitability. Evaluations focus on bull health, fertility and genetic traits, such as calving ease, which has significantly decreased dystocia rates and calf losses.
Gunn said years after implementation, bull quality has improved calf crops, increasing the animals’ marketability and benefiting ranchers’ bottom line. UI Extension will continue to provide guidelines to improve the overall herd genetics.
