Overview
Dairy cow fertility is a key indicator to drive herd profitability, reach production targets, improve cow longevity, welfare and benefit the environment in terms of reduced carbon emissions. It is important to realise that genetics and management go hand in hand and having breeding goals is important for your herd.
As most new entrant dairy farmers in Wales have started as single block calvers for simplicity, improved efficiency and ease of herd management. This project will be investigating the opportunities of changing to a split block calving herd in terms of potential increased farm gate milk price, farm output, level milk supply and making better use of labour and infrastructure that are on farm year round.
The on-farm project aims to answer if Tyddyn Cae can expand by adding 15-20% extra spring calving cows to their current autumn-calving herd without any major changes in infrastructure or labour on the farm. The project will also be assessing current fertility KPI’s, and aiming to:
- Shorten the autumn block to less than 10 weeks
- Improve 6 week in calf rate and 12 week empty rate
- Maintain current health and performance in face of herd expansion
- Identify appropriate future breeding goals for both blocks in the her
Through driving further improvement in efficiency in these key business areas, the project will also contribute to the Sustainable Land Management outcomes including:
- Reduce the farms greenhouse gas emissions
- Contribute to high herd health and welfare
Latest project timeline
November 2024
Target Outcomes for the Project:
- Increase the proportion of heifers calving within the first four weeks.
- Implement effective heat detection strategies to improve submission and conception rates.
- Ensure optimal herd health through a thorough review of vaccination and disease management protocols.
Action Plan/Next steps:
Changes to Mating Plan for Heifers:
- Heifers to be divided into three groups based on bulling timing:
- Group A: Bulling in the 7 days leading up to PSM; these will be separated and grouped together. Expected: ~33% of heifers bulling week -1, due to bull in week 3.
- Group B: Bulling in the first week. Expected: ~33% of heifers.
- Group C: Bulling in the second week. Expected: ~33% of heifers.
- On day 6 of mating, Group A are to be injected with prostaglandin to bring forward the next heat - this should be expected 2-5 days after injection. Mate only to observed heat.
Goal: Mate all heifers within a two-week period instead of the usual three weeks.
