Megan S. Hindman

Dr. Megan S. Hindman

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 April 2023 in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MHMegan S. Hindman
Megan S. Hindman

27 July 2022 in Animals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MHMegan S. Hindman
Megan S. Hindman
BHBrian Huedepohl
Brian Huedepohl
GDGrant A Dewell
Grant A Dewell
TBTroy A Brick
Troy A Brick
GSGustavo Silva
Gustavo Silva
TETerry Engelken
Terry Engelken
Developing and raising replacement heifers requires a large capital investment for producers. Therefore, it is imperative to discover traits and management practices to eliminate subfertile heifers prior to breeding and pregnancy determination. In this study, four years of data was analyzed from a centralized beef heifer development yard in the Midwest of the United States. The objective of this study was to analyze various heifer physical characteristics and management practices in order to quantify their impact on pregnancy and date of conception. Logistic regression models were built to investigate risk factors associated with conception to artificial insemination (AI), pregnancy by natural service after AI exposure, and pregnancy in the first 21-days of the breeding season. Age at entry, average daily gain from entry to breeding, pelvic width, and year were associated with AI pregnancy (p < 0.05). On the second model, average daily gain from entry to yearling weight, weight at breeding, weight at pregnancy diagnosis, and age at AI were significantly associated with pregnancy. There were no associations with reproductive tract score with any of the response variables analyzed. These results indicate there are physical measurements that can be used to improve the ability to select and develop heifers for improved reproductive performance.