Cynwyl Elfed, Carmarthen
Focus site project: Improving suckler cow efficiency by optimising mature cow body weight
Project aims:
- To evaluate changes in cow mature weight and cow efficiency in terms of weight of calf weaned as a percentage of cow weight.
- Weights of cows and calves at weaning have been collected at Lan Farm for the past four years. Further data collection and analysis will be used to assess changes in cow efficiency with a move from native breeds to continental genetics; calving at two-years-old compared to three-years-old; and the relationship between cow efficiency, body condition score and calving interval.
- Decreasing cow mature weight would mean reduced cow maintenance costs therefore increasing efficiency and profitability.
- Calving at two-years-old may reduce lifetime growth potential, while the use of high growth genetics through the dam’s sire can be maintained and will still be passed on to the calf.
- Decreasing the calving interval can improve suckler cow productivity, but any gains in efficiency by weaning a heavier calf should not be at the expense of body condition with a subsequent impact on fertility.
- Cow and calf weight and cow body condition scores will be collected via an EID reader at weaning. Cow age, breed, number of calvings and calving intervals will also be analysed.