Suckler cow fertility Flashcards
what is one of the most important KPIs for suckler herds?
calves weaned/cows to bull
what is the target calves weaned per cows to bull?
90%
what are some key aspects to increasing suckler herd production?
fertility
calf/heifer management
calving season
bull fertility/health
good herd health
record/breeding evaluation
replacement management
what are some of the KPIs for suckler herds?
mating period
pregnancy rate
abortion rate
calving rate
21 day calving rate
perinatal mortality
calf deaths
what is the target for the length of the breeding period?
9 weeks (less than 12 weeks)
what is the target pregnancy rate?
> 95%
what is the target abortion rate?
<2%
what is the target calving rate?
> 93%
what is the target 21 day calving rate?
> 65%
what percentage weight of the dams should a calf be at weaning?
50%
how can we monitor performance for suckler herds?
% pregnant at 21 days
% pregnant at 63 days
median calving date
overall pregnancy rate
calving rate
weaning rate
what are the advantages of a compact calving period?
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
how long do suckler cows have to get pregnant?
around 80 days (want one calf per year)
what is the target age of first calving heifers?
2 years (slightly earlier depending on breed)
what group should you select your replacement heifers from?
from calves that have been born early in the season to allow maximal growth
when do you want your heifers to calve?
3-4 weeks before rest of herd to allow them longer to finish growing and start cycling again
why would you restrict breeding/calving period to only 6 weeks for the heifers?
allows you to select for the most fertile cattle (rough way to do this)
why is calving earlier in the season more desirable for calves?
less pathogen exposure (accumulation, older calves posing risk to younger…)
dystocia risk increases (over conditioned cattle, tired staff…)
what are the options for managing spread out calving blocks?
split to spring/autumn group
cull late calvers and replace with early calving heifers
restrict suckling and use hormones in late calvers
why are beef cow diets often difficientin trace elements?
they often make their own diets using homegrown cereals
what reproductive issues is copper deficiency associated with?
delayed puberty
anoestrus
poor pregnancy rate
what reproductive issues is cobalt deficiency associated with?
silent heat
poor conception rates
what reproductive issues is selenium deficiency associated with?
retained foetal membranes
what reproductive issues is iodine deficiency associated with?
embryonic death
stillbirth
weak calves
what reproductive issues is manganese deficiency associated with?
anoestrus
silent heats
delayed ovulation
what reproductive issues is vitamin A deficiency associated with?
prolonged follicular phase
poor CL
what is the target BCS for mature cows at calving?
2.5
what is the target BCS for 1st and 2nd calvers?
3
how can weaning be used to control BCS?
weaning earlier if cow is thin or later if over conditioned
