This week's breeding supplement takes a look at all things beef breeding from stock-bull purchase to increasing the rate of AI usage in the suckler herd.
While breed choice and bull choice will always generate robust discussion among farmers, breeding management is less commonly discussed and it’s arguably more important.
ADVERTISEMENT
The next three months will be one of the most important periods in the suckler farm calendar, as the annual breeding cycle starts again on many farms. Genetics and fertility management have a huge influence on many other areas – like cashflow management, health, grassland management and managing labour. If breeding goes wrong through poor conception rates or an infertile bull, it can take years to get back to where you started and can have severe financial implications for the business.
While breed choice and bull choice will always generate robust discussion among farmers, breeding management is less commonly discussed and it’s arguably more important.
Having cows at the correct body condition score (BCS 2.5-3.0) at breeding is critical to achieving high conception rates during the breeding season. Cows should be on a rising plane of nutrition – in other words, good-quality spring grass. Dates should be set for bull introduction or start of AI and also the target finish date. If the calving spread is prolonged, start by easing back by a week or two. Don’t try to shorten it in one year, as this will lead to high empty rates.
ADVERTISEMENT
Keep accurate records during the breeding season, especially with newly purchased young stock bulls. If there are issues, good records can help solve the problem early. Health management is also vital to ensure maximum success at breeding. If you are vaccinating the herd for BVD and lepto, it’s important that all animals are vaccinated including stock bulls prior to introduction to the herd.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the headline, summary and link below:
Title: Breeding progress = genetics + management
This week's breeding supplement takes a look at all things beef breeding from stock-bull purchase to increasing the rate of AI usage in the suckler herd.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
The next three months will be one of the most important periods in the suckler farm calendar, as the annual breeding cycle starts again on many farms. Genetics and fertility management have a huge influence on many other areas – like cashflow management, health, grassland management and managing labour. If breeding goes wrong through poor conception rates or an infertile bull, it can take years to get back to where you started and can have severe financial implications for the business.
While breed choice and bull choice will always generate robust discussion among farmers, breeding management is less commonly discussed and it’s arguably more important.
Having cows at the correct body condition score (BCS 2.5-3.0) at breeding is critical to achieving high conception rates during the breeding season. Cows should be on a rising plane of nutrition – in other words, good-quality spring grass. Dates should be set for bull introduction or start of AI and also the target finish date. If the calving spread is prolonged, start by easing back by a week or two. Don’t try to shorten it in one year, as this will lead to high empty rates.
Keep accurate records during the breeding season, especially with newly purchased young stock bulls. If there are issues, good records can help solve the problem early. Health management is also vital to ensure maximum success at breeding. If you are vaccinating the herd for BVD and lepto, it’s important that all animals are vaccinated including stock bulls prior to introduction to the herd.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS