suckler herd fertility

average Max age of F

8yrs

Herd efficiency equation

Total 200do calf weight / total weight F to bull

Target herd efficiency

50%

Target calves weaned/ cows to bull

88 calves / 100 cows

How much does weaning weight dec by with each oestrus cycle (21d)

25kg

Assessing efficiency

Calves weaned/ cows

Herd efficiency

Weaning weight

Meat price

Carcass quality

Production traits s

Variable costs

What drives suckler herd production

LO : Describe five health & management aspects that drive suckler herd production

Cow fertility

Calf management

Restricted breeding seasons

Best calving season

Bull fertility / evaluation

Good herd health

Breeding/ record evaluation

Replacement management

KPI - ideal mating period length

9-12w

KPI - ideal Overall preg rate

>95%

KPI - ideal Abortion rate

<2%

KPI - ideal Calving rate

>93%

KPI - ideal 21d calving rate

>65%

KPI - ideal Perinatal mortality

<5%

KPI - ideal Calf deaths in 1mon old - weaning

<2%

KPI - ideal Weaned calf weight / cow weight

50%

Timings to assess % preg based on previous year records/ current PD

21d

63d

Ways to manage repro performance

% pregnant 21 days

% pregnant 63 days

Median calving date

Overall PR

Calving rate

Weaning rate

How long from bull with F → calving

282d

Why to do compact calving period (9-12w)

Cows + heifers - repro fitness, environment, disease control, strategic nutrition, heifer selection, less culling

Calves- age groups, homogenous group at sale, disease control

Management + profit - staff, procedures done together

How long do cows have to get preg for 1 calf every yr

82d

What happens post calving so tighter calving interval better

Uterine involution

Lactational anoestrus

Post partum oestrus (conception rates inc from 20%→ 60%)

Beef post partum conception rate with 1st oestrus

20%

Beef post partum conception rate with 3rd oestrus (vs dairy 30-40%)

60-80%

Time from planned start of calving to planned start of mating

80d

Advantage of earlier calving (conceive in first oestrus)

More days to sale → Inc sale weight + value

Calve long before need to breed again - stay in yearly cycle

Why to select replacement heifers from early born calves (calve 2yrs old)

Larger animal + less to grow

Reach puberty sooner

Why is target age for 1st calving 2yrs

Limit rearing costs

Why to calve heifers 3-4 before herd planned start of calving

Inc Dystocia risk → longer recovery

Extra time to grow during lactation

Why is breeding / calving period 6w for heifers

To ensure calve 3-4w before main herd

Select for fertility

Why to wean heifers calves early (>2mon dry period)

Allow time to recover BCS

Causes of inc mortality in later born calves (>9w calving block)

Inc pathogen exposure - time x animal density, pathogen multipliers, age, accumulate

Inc Dystocia risk - staff fatigue, hygiene, overconditon late calvers

What to do if calving period spread out

Spring + autumn groups

Cull/ sell late calvers

Restrict suckling

Hormones

Manage BCS

Limit periparturient problems

Spring vs autumn calving season

S- better weather, easier management

A- better prices

Estimated breeding values from bull examples

Calving ease

Terminal index

Weights

Temperament

Carcass quality - fat, confirmation

Average cost to keep bull

£1600 / yr

Alternatives to natural service

Triple Oestrus synchrony + AI

Single oestrus synchrony + AI + sweeper bull

Oestrus detection aids

How long are bulls usually kept

3 breeding seasons

Advantages of AI

Better genetics - choice, selection, EBV

Avoids keeping bull

Biosecurity

Common issues with beef nutrition

Not maintaining BCS

Cu, Co, SE, I, Mn def

Vit A, d, e def

Ideal BCS - for calving

Mature cows = 2.5

Heifer = 3

Ideal BCS - for service

Gain up to service

1 unit BCS = what % BW

13%

What stage preg to never diet F + why

Last trimester - foetal growth

Common issues with beef nutrition - effect of vit a def

Prolonged follicular phase, poor CL

Common issues with beef nutrition - effect of vit d def

Poor uterine involution

Common issues with beef nutrition - effect of Cu def

Delayed puberty, anoesturs, poor preg rate

Common issues with beef nutrition - effect of Co def

Silent heat, poor conception rate

Common issues with beef nutrition - effect of Se def

Retained foetal membranes, COD

Common issues with beef nutrition - effect of I def

Embryonic death, still birth, weak calves

Common issues with beef nutrition - effect of Mn def

Anoestrus, silent heat, delayed ovulation

Max BCS to loose without intervention (ideal 3-3.5)

0.5

Common venereal pathogen

Campylobacter

Effect of weaning earlier on BW + feed

Inc BCS by 0.5-1

50kg BW gain

1500MJ ME

How to group animals for feeding + weaning

Stage preg/ lact

BCS

Age

Components of top producers

High fertility KPI (preg rate, born alive, %born first 3w, lower age 1st calving)

High output + low replacement costs

High homegrown forage

Cost Control

Disease + stress management

Specialist

Economies of scale