Improving the suckler herd’s efficiency

With very poor fertility conception rates in the heifers and half the cows in the suckler beef enterprise in 2023, Cornwal Uchaf has decided to investigate this issue further to identify any hidden health problems.

The suckler herd is split into two mobs during the summer at Cornwal Uchaf with half the herd and all the heifers running with the youngest bull and the other mob running with another older bull.

All 9 heifers and 50% of the cows were empty after 12-15 weeks. Dylan and Gwion have decided rather than selling these heifers as store cattle, they will make the most of what they already have on farm and get these heifers in calf through synchronisation and Artificial Insemination, and hopefully get them to realign with the herds calving for the  following seasons. Even though he has been successful in other seasons on the farm, due to this poor conception result and disappointing progeny for the farmers liking the young Bull will be sold.

The project will work closely with the farm’s local vet to identify if there are any potential issues with the heifers which affect them conceiving. Blood samples will be taken from the heifers as a starting point and then correct any metabolic issues. The vet will create a plan for synchronising to stimulate ovulation and then all the heifers will be inseminated with DIY AI on specific day/s following synchronisation with an easy calving Limousin bull semen. 

Through driving further improvement in efficiency in this part of the system, the project will also contribute to the Sustainable Land Management outcomes including: 

• reduce the farms greenhouse gas emissions
• support improvement in maximising carbon storage and sequestration whilst reducing the whole-farm carbon footprint
• contribute to high health and welfare