2013 | ReproDoc Ltd.

GETTING AND KEEPING YOUR COWS IN CALF

We are now between 8 and 12 weeks into breeding programmes for spring calving in 2014. The seven day heat wave is now a distant memory! However, it did enable excellent silage preservation for next winter. The inclement weather in latter weeks has made grazing conditions difficult with a consequent decrease in DMI from grazed […]

ACT NOW TO MAXIMISE PREGNANCY RATES IN YOUR DAIRY HERD

Breeding programmes for grass-based spring calving systems are now nearing mid-way. Fodder shortages, poor grass growth rates, increased stock numbers and limited housing space have resulted in poor reproductive performance to date where cows have been compromised. It is essential that you have fit cows and heifers for your breeding programme. It will pay to […]

HEALTHY COWS FOR A HEALTHY FOOD CHAIN

Spring Breeding Season This spring breeding season is proving to provide us with many challenges. One farmer in Dingle, Co. Kerry summed it up by saying “It is the uncertainty associated with the current weather which makes it difficult to manage the dairy herd. Will I have to zero-graze the silage ground two miles away? […]

Horgans Farm Open Day

Pictures taken at the very successful demonstration of Dr. Dan’s new technology at Ashdale Farm, Garryduff, Collligan, Dungarvan Co. Waterford on May 2, 2013. Over 400 people attended this event. A very enjoyable day was had by all!

Farm Management Survey

We here at Reprodoc would like to improve our service. We are running a survey to find out what Farm Management Systems are used by our customers. There are only 5 questions in the survey and we would be very grateful if you could give us some info please. Click here to take survey Regards […]

High Submission Rates Essential for Compact Calving

Spring calving breeding programmes will begin on the majority of dairy farms over the next few weeks. The harsh weather in March running through the first week of April has exhausted all reserves of silage, straw, maize and grass covers on many farms. Body Condition Score of Freshly Calved Cows Freshly calved cows […]

Reserve Champion at the Northern Ireland National Holstein Show

I had the pleasure of visiting the Haffey Brothers who manage an elite Holstein dairy herd with their father Stephen on the outskirts of Portadown. The photograph of the cow attached pertains to the cow that was Reserve Champion at the Northern Ireland National Holstein Show on the 15th March. She calved on the 5th […]

Breeding management in the Suckler Herd.

It has been widely publicized that there has been a steady decline in reproductive performance in the dairy herd population over the past twenty years. It may come as a surprise to many that the average calving interval for the Irish suckler cow population is similar to that encountered in the dairy herd. Reproductive Performance […]

Diverse effects of breeding and feeding policies in the industry.

A common theme at this time of year with the scanning of freshly calved suckler cows is the poor rate of uterine involution and body condition score in the same animals. This impairment of involution of the reproductive tract extended calving to pregnancy interval, excessive culling of cows which are still eligible on the basis of age to stay […]

Differention of 16 pence sterling per kilogram for cattle killed in England that came from the Republic of Ireland

On a farm visit to a beef producer, outside Delvin, Co. Westmeath, who not alone has an excellent suckler herd but has an involvement in the purchase of cattle for clients for further fattening and the purchase of fattened cattle for subsequent slaughter. This client informed me that there is a differention of 16 pence sterling per […]