Suckler cow fertility

Question 1

what is one of the most important KPIs for suckler herds?

Answer 1

calves weaned/cows to bull

Question 2

what is the target calves weaned per cows to bull?

Answer 2

90%

Question 3

what are some key aspects to increasing suckler herd production?

Answer 3

fertility
calf/heifer management
calving season
bull fertility/health
good herd health
record/breeding evaluation
replacement management

Question 4

what are some of the KPIs for suckler herds?

Answer 4

mating period
pregnancy rate
abortion rate
calving rate
21 day calving rate
perinatal mortality
calf deaths

Question 5

what is the target for the length of the breeding period?

Answer 5

9 weeks (less than 12 weeks)

Question 6

what is the target pregnancy rate?

Answer 6

> 95%

Question 7

what is the target abortion rate?

Answer 7

<2%

Question 8

what is the target calving rate?

Answer 8

> 93%

Question 9

what is the target 21 day calving rate?

Answer 9

> 65%

Question 10

what percentage weight of the dams should a calf be at weaning?

Answer 10

50%

Question 11

how can we monitor performance for suckler herds?

Answer 11

% pregnant at 21 days
% pregnant at 63 days
median calving date
overall pregnancy rate
calving rate
weaning rate

Question 12

what are the advantages of a compact calving period?

Answer 12

cow reproductive fitness (nutrition, dry period, management…)
favourable environment
heifer selection
management procedures
disease control
calving supervision and labour
strategic nutrition
homogenous group for sales

Question 13

how long do suckler cows have to get pregnant?

Answer 13

around 80 days (want one calf per year)

Question 14

what is the target age of first calving heifers?

Answer 14

2 years (slightly earlier depending on breed)

Question 15

what group should you select your replacement heifers from?

Answer 15

from calves that have been born early in the season to allow maximal growth

Question 16

when do you want your heifers to calve?

Answer 16

3-4 weeks before rest of herd to allow them longer to finish growing and start cycling again

Question 17

why would you restrict breeding/calving period to only 6 weeks for the heifers?

Answer 17

allows you to select for the most fertile cattle (rough way to do this)

Question 18

why is calving earlier in the season more desirable for calves?

Answer 18

less pathogen exposure (accumulation, older calves posing risk to younger…)
dystocia risk increases (over conditioned cattle, tired staff…)

Question 19

what are the options for managing spread out calving blocks?

Answer 19

split to spring/autumn group
cull late calvers and replace with early calving heifers
restrict suckling and use hormones in late calvers

Question 20

why are beef cow diets often difficientin trace elements?

Answer 20

they often make their own diets using homegrown cereals

Question 21

what reproductive issues is copper deficiency associated with?

Answer 21

delayed puberty
anoestrus
poor pregnancy rate

Question 22

what reproductive issues is cobalt deficiency associated with?

Answer 22

silent heat
poor conception rates

Question 23

what reproductive issues is selenium deficiency associated with?

Answer 23

retained foetal membranes

Question 24

what reproductive issues is iodine deficiency associated with?

Answer 24

embryonic death
stillbirth
weak calves

Question 25

what reproductive issues is manganese deficiency associated with?

Answer 25

anoestrus
silent heats
delayed ovulation

Question 26

what reproductive issues is vitamin A deficiency associated with?

Answer 26

prolonged follicular phase
poor CL

Question 27

what is the target BCS for mature cows at calving?

Answer 27

2.5

Question 28

what is the target BCS for 1st and 2nd calvers?

Answer 28

3

Question 29

how can weaning be used to control BCS?

Answer 29

weaning earlier if cow is thin or later if over conditioned