INTRODUCTION
A trial using Tasco^® was conducted at Vannoy Farm, a cow/calf operation in Missouri, to evaluate the effect of Tasco^® on conception rates of two-year-old heifers. The control group and the Tasco^® group were similar in terms of weaning weights, age, genetics and supplementation program. 

Only the pasture conditions were different between the two groups. The cattle group fed Tasco^® was grazing on 1.5 rated pastures and the control group was grazing on 5.0 rated pastures (Pastures rated on a 1 to 5 score, 5 being excellent and 1 being poor).

RESULTS
From this experiment it was observed that Tasco^® treated heifers had better conception rates than the control group despite the fact that Tasco^® group was grazing on poorer pastures.

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that Tasco^® has positive effects on conception rates, especially in virgin heifers and first calf heifers. 

Other commercial trials conducted in various locations, with different genetics, also resulted in Tasco^® having positive effects on conception rates and a reduced calving season.

Calving (Days) Control Tasco® Year 1 Tasco® Year 2 21 57% 77% 78% 42 85% 90% 91% 63 89% 99% 99% 84 97%

Producers report dramatic improvements in conception rates and reduced calving intervals when beef cows are fed Tasco^® and these effects continue year after year.

Several large producers report conception rates in excess of 95% over 90% of the calves were born in the first 42 days of the calving season.

ARTIFICIAL INSIMINATION (AI) HEIFERS

INTRODUCTION
A trial was conducted at a facility involved in the Show-Me-Select program in Missouri. The objective was to see if adding Tasco^® to the diet of heifers will increase the number of heifers bred by AI. 

The heifers were divided into three weight groups. The lightest group of heifers was selected to receive Tasco^®. The assumption was that the heifers in this group would be the youngest and would require the most help to breed. The same MGA synchronization program was used on all three groups and the cattle were fed the same ration with only the lightest group receiving Tasco^® in a commercial mineral mix.

RESULTS
The results of the trial showed that the percentage of Tasco^® heifers in standing heat bred AI was greater, there were less open cows and the total cows bred was also greater.

CONCLUSION
The youngest heifers fed Tasco^® should have been the most difficult to breed. In this trial, Tasco^® helped increase the number of heifers bred by AI. These results could lead to economic benefits for the producer as AI bred heifers have the potential to sell for higher prices than heifers bred using natural service conception.

When using Tasco®, we increased conception percentages from 90% to 95.5% while decreasing our calving season by 30 days. We had no open first or second calf heifers. Imogene Latimer, DVM Shelbina, Missouri We increased an average of 2 eggs per flush after using Tasco® and the quality increased from mostly 2’s and 3’s to mostly 1’s and 2’s. Champion Hill Angus Ohio Thanks to using Tasco®, my calving season was shortened by over 20 days and I still had a 96% conception rate. Ryan Ruether Brainard, Nebraska Bulls' scrotal circumference increased over 10% compared to previous year after providing Tasco® in free choice mineral. The vet also indicated that yearling semen quality was better than any he had seen in his years of testing. Twenty frozen embryos resulted in 16 live calves when normally 9-10 calves are expected when recipient cows received Tasco® in their mineral. Joe Bill Meng Creekstone Farms, Kentucky We decided to try Tasco® to see if it would help in our recipient cows program. The control groups had 70% and 71% cows in standing heat while the group receiving Tasco® had 90% cows in standing heat. Vannoy Farms Shelbyville, Missouri