Foel Fawr Project Update August 2024

The project at Foel Fawr aims to improve the suckler herd management by integrating technology for enhanced data collection and analysis. This approach includes:

  • Implementation of a new Weighing Platform: A new weighing platform has been installed to facilitate efficient and accurate weight recording of cattle. This provides valuable data for monitoring growth rates, assessing individual performance, and making informed management decisions.

  • Breedplan Integration: The farm has partnered with Breedplan to record and analyse crucial production data in order to produce EBVs for the herd. This includes recording the following data - 

    • Calving ease (score)
    • Gestation length (days)    
    • Birth weight (kg)    
    • 200-day weight (kg)
    • 400-day weight (kg)
    • 600-day weight (kg)
    • Mature cow weight (kg)
    • 200-day milk (kg)
    • Scrotal size (cm)    
    • Carcass weight (kg)
    • Eye Muscle Area (sq cm)    
    • Rib fat (mm)
  • Collaboration with Hereford Cattle Society: We are working closely with the Hereford Cattle Society to determine the specific traits that should be monitored and the optimal timing for data collection. This collaboration ensures that the data collected is relevant and meaningful for the specific breed and production goals of the farm. 

Progress to Date:

EBV Data collection and analysis: Data collection has been underway, following the timeline in table 1.

Table 1: Timeline of data collection from the herd at Foel Fawr

Scanning: Calves born in spring 2023 were scanned in April 2024 to determine the Eye Muscle Area (EMA), Rib Fat Yield and Intermuscular Fat (IMF or marbling) as shown in figures 1 and 2. The mobile ultrasound scanner used is the EVO3 and the imagery is sent to UltraInsight processing laboratory in Colorado to undertake the analysis. Within 48 hours, the data was returned in an Excel spreadsheet to the farmer. The technology used is regarded as one of the most detailed scanners currently available.

Making breeding decisions based on the genetic potential by purchasing high Index bulls has allowed Foel Fawr to improve the performance of the herd over the years as seen in figures 3 and 4. The figure highlights two indexes:

  1. Terminal Index which evaluates breeding animals on the profitability of their calves for finishing systems;
  2. Replacement Index which evaluates breeding animals on the profitability of their female offspring.
     

 Figure 3: Graph of breed genetic trends for selection indices at Foel Fawr

Figure 4: Graph of Foel Fawr Herd compared with Breed Genetic Trend

Through further data collection from the herd to produce EBVs, the aim is to continue with the herd’s breeding success.