Breeding Season Options By Mike Stockton

Episode #89 December 10, 2025

In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast, Mike Stockton shares a clear, experience-driven look at common breeding season strategies and the decision-making process behind selecting the right approach for your operation. Drawing from his own work raising direct-market beef on leased land, Mike explains how calving timing and breeding method choices affect labor, cash flow, genetics, and long-term herd resilience.

Rather than promoting a single “best” system, this episode focuses on options—helping producers evaluate what works best for their land, resources, and goals. Mike also details why he chose artificial insemination to access adapted genetics affordably, inspired by leaders like Kit Pharo, Greg Judy, Jaime Elizondo, and Gabe Brown.

🔑 Key Points Covered

Three Common Calving Systems
Year-round, spring, and fall calving — with practical pros and cons for each based on forage availability, climate, labor, and marketing flexibility.
Why Spring Calving Gets Attention in Regenerative Systems
Aligning peak nutritional demand with abundant grass to reduce costs and improve calf health.
Fall Calving as a Heat-Management Strategy
How cooler temperatures support breed-back success and market timing advantages.
Bull Options Explained
Renting a bull, buying a bull, or using artificial insemination — including cost, flexibility, genetics, and management considerations.
Using AI to Access Adapted Genetics
Mike’s experience sourcing South Poll genetics locally and keeping breeding costs under $50 per calf.
Breeding Decisions for Direct-Marketed Beef
Why body condition, fertility, and longevity matter when selling beef directly to customers.

🌱 Actionable Insights

Match your calving season to forage growth and climate to reduce feed costs and stress on cows.
Consider AI if you have a small herd or leased land and want access to high-quality adapted genetics without owning a bull.
Remember that the bull contributes 50% of your herd’s genetics — invest thoughtfully.
Use breeding decisions as a long-term strategy to build herd value and resilience.
Don’t be afraid to test a new approach each year and evaluate the results.

📌 For more insights and resources, be sure to visit us here for our latest specials and exclusive offers:
👉 stockmangrassfarmer.digital

👉 Tune in with your favorite podcast app to The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast and explore practical grazing and livestock management lessons straight from the pasture.

Episode Transcript

Breeding Season Options By Mike Stockton

FAIR GROVE, Missouri:

I will give my quick view of the three breeding practices that I see most common in my area. The first practice takes the least amount of management, and is more common than you might think. It is calving all year regardless of the seasons. Yes, we read many articles telling us how bad this is for cost effectiveness and the health of the calves. The truth of the matter is that it is easier for many to just let the bull run with the cows year round. The advantages of this is that you don’t have to have a bull pen to separate the bull from the cows. Another plus is that you can sell calves throughout the year and have money coming in as needed.

The second practice is highly recommended among the regenerative group. Calving in the spring season with the surplus of grass makes a lot of sense. Grass is cheap, and helps the cow produce plenty of milk for a healthy calf. Calves may be weaned and sold prior to winter to lower feed costs during the winter.

The third practice is common in my area due to the heat of the summers. Fall calving is similar to the spring because there is a good amount of grass and the weather is more moderate. This helps with the breed back issue that is so important by keeping cows that are productive. The calves will be wintered beside their mothers, and can be sold during the spring when the markets tend to be a bit higher. I like options. During the breeding season we have options, and a lot of them have to do with the bull. It is important to remember that the bull makes up 50% of the genetics of all the calves. There were three options that I considered this year.

Renting a bull: Cheaper than owning, and the bull is gone after a short time period. The downside is the bull is gone if a cow comes in heat, and the genetics are probably not well known.

Buying a bull: You buy what you like and want and the bull is available year round in case a female needs to be bred. The cost is more, but you usually keep the bull for a few years.

Artificial Insemination: You pick out the breed and type of bull you want. More management is required by watching for females in heat, and then getting them up to breed. You may need to find an AI tech in your area. I read Kit Pharo and listen to Greg Judy and Jim Elizondo. I believe it when the legends say that adapted genetics are needed for good body condition, productivity, and longevity.

Since I directly market my animals for beef, I find all of these traits to be very important. To get a bull with these genetic traits could be pricey if you go and buy a bull. I’ve decided to keep some heifers and breed them to start my own savings account. This herd should multiply tax free for several years. In theory, the herd would double every three to four years. My heifers are located on rent land, and I don’t want a bull there. I found an AI tech near me, and he said he would store the semen and charge $15 per trip to breed an animal. I then started looking for semen from Southpoll bulls. I found some for sale by Dr. Bruce Shanks from Sassafras Farms, and it was located just a few miles from where I live. It was great to talk to the owner of the bull and ask the questions I wanted answered. He was very helpful and easy to talk with. The semen cost $20 per straw. So, if all goes well I should have less than $50 invested in each calf from a bull that could greatly improve my herd’s adapted genetics. If you are like me and only have a few females to breed, I think you should consider the option of A.I. It does require a little planning and management, but doesn’t cost that much. I’m excited to try something new. Gabe Brown says you should try something new every year. I’ll let you all know how it goes. Don’t be afraid to think things over and figure out the option that works best for you. Dare to compare.

Mike Stockton is a teacher who raises farm fresh beef on leased land, and has implemented year round rotational grazing on the family farm in Elkland, Missouri. Contact him at 417-718-5910 or [email protected]

Breeding Season Options By Mike Stockton

🔑 Key Points Covered

🌱 Actionable Insights

“Before You Go...”

Join Our Free Trial