Grass based dairy production systems are now busy selecting cows for drying off. Contrary to previous years, milk quota restrictions and an excellent grass growth period up to the second week of November, have resulted in extended lactations. However, body condition scores (BCS) have suffered where either concentrate supplementation or fluke and worm management needs […]
Read MoreIdentify problem breeder cows by scanning using the Smart Scan Experience. (See ReproInfo for more details) Underlying herd health problems can be identified in the transition period by scanning cows when 14 days calved. Heat detection in suckler cows for AI indoors can be difficult. Use the Smart Scan Experience to manage your AI breeding […]
Read MoreThe month of October has been excellent for grass growth. The opportunity to graze grass on heavy land has been exceptional. Farmers are in an upbeat mood in general as a result of the fine weather. Milk price may have created an unsustainable long term proposition, but fine weather has meant that farm tasks put […]
Read MoreEnsure your cows get at least an 8 week dry cow period. This should be expanded to a 10 to 12 week period for first lactation cows, cows carrying twins and those cows with poor locomotion scores. Address the need of your cows for liver fluke, stomach fluke and worms at the time of drying […]
Read MoreAccurate calving dates cannot be achieved using milk tests where a stock bull is running with the herd. Scanning cows prior to 110 days of pregnancy will give accurate calving dates. The smart Scan Experience optimises the opportunity to provide accurate calving dates. Twins in dairy cows increase the risk of later embryo death and […]
Read MoreThe Annual National Ploughing event heralds not alone the largest outdoor event in Europe but a time of change in seasons with shorter days and reduced grass growth rates. Dairy farmers have accepted the fact that reduced milk prices will be a feature of the business for the foreseeable future. The current price of milk […]
Read MoreIdentify empty cows now. These cows are unlikely to fit into an autumn calving programme with current milk price. Plan on fattening these cows by either dry off now and fatten with supplemental concentrates at grass. This will depend on the size, frame size and BCS of the cow. Some of these cows could be […]
Read MoreThe month of July has been one of the wettest on record for farmers on the west coast while further inland the rain in late July was a welcome relief on light soils. Breeding programmes for spring calvers should now be at an end. However, stock bulls still run with most dairy herds visited. Cows […]
Read MoreWait four weeks either after the bull has been removed or the last cow AI’d to get your herd scanned. Ensure cows are no longer than three and a half months pregnant to optimise return from this exercise. Ensure scanning gives you accurate information on empty cows, ageing of pregnancies, featal gender determination and identification […]
Read MoreBreeding programmes for spring calving should now be nearing an end as cows served now will calve in the last week of April 2016. However, at farm level many farmers are considering leaving stock bulls far longer with the herd and to sell May 2016 calvers. There has been a market for these cows in […]
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