TIPS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2014

06 May 2014

1. Spring calved cows are performing extremely well on grass based milk production systems. This milk production performance is at the expense of BCS on many farms. Cows need a balanced diet which avoids BCS loss, meets mineral and vitamin requirements.

2. Put a plan in place for heat detection if using AI in Spring calving programmes. You need to spend time with your cows to detect signs of heat or stressors preventing over heat.

3. Use heat detection aids as part of your breeding plans. Remember, these are aids. You need to spend time with your cows watching for signs of heat. Missed heats will cost you €250.

4. If you have not completed a prebreed scan, identify those cows eligible for breeding which have not been bred 21 days from start of AI. Various stressors may be at play. Reproductive assessment by scanning will identify underlying cause and enable these cows to either be bred to AI, bred naturally to stock bull or culled.

5. Sexed semen should only be used in maiden heifers or cows judiciously on the basis of a prebreed scan. Many cattle ate subfertile. The pregnancy rate using sexed semen will be lower than that using conventional semen. Maximise your opportunity to get cows in calf with a prescan.

Testimonials

I have been using Dr Dan Ryan’s services for the best part of 20 years now at this stage. I completely depend on the information I get from his service.

I do 4 scans during the year. The first scan is in early April to see that every cow is cycling properly and to see where there are problems in the herd.

The second scan is in the first few days in June. I get all cows served over 28 days, cows pregnant, late calvers and heifers. I also learn if there are any embryonic deaths from this scan.

The third scan is in the first week of July. I get cows gone 28 days checked and also check for any embryonic deaths.

The final scan is in mid September. I get a clear picture as to which cows are in calf or not. I get projected calving dates for the following Spring. This scan can pick up services that the stock bull would have performed that I may have missed. I may see cows on heat and yet the scan would confirm that they are in calf. Multiple pregnancies can be picked up as well.

If I see a cow doing something unusual during the breeding season Dan and his team are always at the end of the line for advice.
All the above information is invaluable.

Kieran & his mother Marie Irwin
Ballingarry, Co. Limerick