The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has just published the 2019 beef calving statistics reports, for suckler herds subscribed to the HerdPlus service.

Average calving interval has slipped from 396 days in 2018 to 401 days in 2019. The national dairy herd has experienced an increase, going from 387 days in 2018 to 390 in 2019.

The exceptional weather events of 2018 undoubtedly left their mark.

Wet and cold conditions, which lasted into May, followed closely by a prolonged and severe drought, led to fodder shortages on many farms.

This in turn severely impacted animal performance. Calves per cow per year has remained stable at 0.85, with the percentage of heifers calved 22-26 months seeing a slight decrease to 22%.

Table 1 details all Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) over the last 10 years.

Huge variations

The difference between the top and bottom herds on these KPIs is stark. The top 5% of herds are achieving a calving interval of 358 days, with the bottom 5% at 474 days. Calves/cow/year is no different, with the top herds achieving 1.06 calves against the bottom herds at 0.56.

BDGP v non-BDGP herds

Approximately 24,000 herds have participated in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme since 2015. A fundamental element of the programme has been to improve the genetics of suckler cows within these herds. Table 2 compares the calving performance of herds in BDGP to those not participating in the programme.

BDGP herds were 10 days better on calving interval at 0.02 calves per cow higher, with the average heifer calving almost six weeks younger.

Benefits of science and technology

Analysis was also done on herds participating in various DAFM funded programmes and HerdPlus. When the performance of these herds was compared to those not participating in any programmes and not subscribed to HerdPlus, it showed the biggest differences (see Table 3).

The 5,309 herds in BDGP, Knowledge Transfer (KT) and HerdPlus were over two weeks better on calving interval, 0.05 more calves/cow/year and first calvers were calving just over two months younger on average, with 8% more heifers calving at 24 months.

Achievable Targets

There is still some way to go for the national suckler herd to achieve the required levels of fertility performance.

These improvements take time, but the fact that the most efficient herds have average calving intervals of <365 days and >one calves/cow/year, demonstrates that such performance is achievable.

This, of course, requires excellent management, but for some farmers a change of mindset and a more ruthless approach to inefficient, ‘passenger’ cows may also be required.

Using the data

The herds that are achieving the best figures are undoubtedly those that are participating in DAFM programmes such as KT and BDGP, and are also using the HerdPlus service.

This engagement is giving farmers access to information, technology and peer learning, allowing them to implement the best breeding and management practices on their farms.

Farmers should look at their own beef calving reports and analyse each KPI.

Look for areas to be improved and identify the issues that could be preventing your herd from meeting a particular target.

Discuss the report with your agricultural advisor and see what changes could be made to help you meet the desired targets.