Remove stock bulls from your maiden heifers. Ensure these bulls are fertile by scanning your maiden heifers now. Transfer the stock bulls from maiden heifers to your dairy herd. Increase bull power available. Scan your cows now to identify cows with embryo death. These cows can not return to heat for 6-9 weeks after embryo […]
Read MoreCurrent grass growth rates are excellent which will optimise the opportunity for cost efficient milk production. Rapid uptake of nitrogen with its consequential impact as a stressor on dairy cows will contribute to increased embryonic death. Caution should be exercised now as your herd is in the “home straight” with regard to your breeding programme. […]
Read MoreIt is critical to maintain pasture quality for cows at grass. Strong grass has energy value below 10 MJ. Butterfat dropping rapidly is an indicator of this type of stress. The latter type of stress will increase embryo death in early pregnancy among cows experiencing N.E.B. Maiden heifers are currently being scanned for pregnancy […]
Read MoreThe vast improvement in the weather means everything to the psyche of Irish farmers. The various migratory birds are nesting and the dawn chorus is a sight to behold. Early starts and late finishes are the norm with an endless sight of chores centred around conservation of forages for the next winter period. Grass growth […]
Read MoreIdentify cows which are stressed because of lameness, poor body condition score or mastitis. Address these problems as they will reduce the opportunity to detect heats and get cows in calf. Do not forget to supplement your spring born calves at grass. They need to achieve their desired growth rate targets as it will impact […]
Read MoreBreeding programmes for spring calving dairy herds should now be the primary focus. The financial implications of missed heats at €250 should focus the mind on the importance of a good heat detection programme. There are a number of elements which will determine the outcome of your heat detection programme culminating in the desired 90 […]
Read MoreSpring breeding programmes will begin on dairy farms over the next four weeks. With milk price under pressure, many farmers are considering either reducing the use of Friesian AI, greater use of beef AI, use of stock bulls or no AI this year. Dairy markets will recover. This is the breeding season to use Friesian […]
Read MoreBook your prebreed scan. Essential information to help you target a high 6 week pregnancy rate Confirm pregnancy status in your suckler cows before moving them to an outside farm without access to handling facilities. We can accurately age pregnancies between 21 and 110 days. We also provide you with accurate sex of pregnancies between […]
Read MoreThe emphasis placed on grazed grass in cost efficient dairy and beef production is forcing farmers to graze land in unfavourable conditions. We have had an exceptionally wet winter whereby ground is saturated. The implications of pasture damage now on future grass growth rates have to be considered. Grass dry matters and sugar content are […]
Read MoreFocus on identifying cows not confirmed pregnant which can be bred over the next 2 weeks as you will not want cows calving over Christmas. Spring calving cows will not survive the next breeding season if current practice of grazed grass plus 2 to 3kg of ration pertains. Feed cows to yield and avoid excess […]
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