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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PAGE Importance of
............
03 Spring Grass
PAGE Plan for the
............
04 Best Silage Quality
PAGE Chemical Control of
............
10 Ragwort in Grassland
PAGE Fertility
............
20 and Breeding
ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018 www.dairygoldagri.ie
WELCOME TO
Beef
Business
DAIRYGOLD BULLETIN
Dear Beef Business reader,
TABLE OF
Welcome to the March edition of Beef
Business, Dairygold’s beef advisory bulletin. CONTENTS
Within this edition of Beef Business we
discuss some of the topics relevant to your 03 Importance of Spring Grass
beef farm from here to the summer.
04 First Cut Silage
We look at the benefits of this early grass to
your enterprise.
06 Plan for the
Best Silage Quality
Good quality silage has a massive impact on
your production and profitability. Silage quality
has been declining year on year. We look at 10 Chemical Control of Ragwort
the principles of making good quality silage. in Grassland
The genetic potential of your suckler cow
has a massive impact on the performance
11 Calf Feed Specialist
and profitability of your herd. Four and five
star cows deliver more calves annually than 12 Buying Dairy Calves for Beef
three star and lower cows. Within Fertility Production
and Breeding, Doreen Corridan of Munster
AI looks at bull choice and the use of AI with
heifers as management tools to maximise 16 Knowing the
herd genetic potential. Good Suckler Cow
Yours sincerely
20 Fertility and Breeding
Liam Stack
Liam Stack M.Agr.Sc
Ruminant Technical Manager
Dairygold Agribusiness
CONTACT
Beef Business
086 2500137
lstack@dairygold.ie
www.dairygoldagri.ie
2 www.dairygoldagri.ie
ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
The importance of
Spring Grass
G rass at a reasonable level of utilisation
(75%) costs approximately 7.5c/kg utilisable
Spring grazing increases grass growth and
grass quality in later rotations. During the early
dry matter compared with first and second cut grazing season (February or March), a balance
grass silage at 18.5c/kg and 18.2c/kg utilisable must be found between feeding the animal
DM.
adequately, to sustain high animal performance,
Grazed grass is the highest quality feed on the and conditioning the sward for the late spring/
farm in spring, better than silage and equivalent summer grazing season.
to concentrates.
Grazing management during the
Energy Density first rotation
1.2 The goal of the first rotation grazing is to remove
all the dead/poorer quality grass at the butt of the
1
paddocks that has built up over the winter. Higher
0.8 digestibility grass is higher in energy and will
lead to increased animal intakes. It is this higher
0.6
intakes of higher energy grass that maximises
0.4 cattle performance on grass.
0.2
Performance benefits to early
0
Prime Spring Summer Autumn Average Poor
spring grass
Elite Grass Grass Grass Grass Grass Research work has shown that animals turned
Munch Silage Silage
out early to grass have 6% (+23kg) higher carcase
weight than animals turned out later in spring.
Economics of spring grass With store cattle, the carcase weight of housed
Every additional day at grass in the spring is worth livestock is 4% higher with animals grazed in early
€1.54 per suckler cow per day or €540 per week spring than animals turned out in late spring.
for a 50 cow herd.
KEY POINT
During the first rotation paddocks should be
grazed to 3.5 to 4cm (as low as a mower would
cut), this will increase grass digestibility by 4 units
in May and June.
3
First Cut Silage
What Should I use?
by Matt Lawlee
Beef & Tillage
Area Manager
I.A.S.I.S.
Nitrogen Requirements Timing x rate
100 units per acre The amount of Potassium and the timing of application
can have a huge bearing on silage yield and quality.
Sulphur Requirements Much the same as the phenomenon which can cause
16 units per acre grass tetany in grazing situations, heavy applications
of Potassium early in the season on silage ground can
P + K Requirements lead to “luxury uptake” of Potassium in the crop and
Consult your soil sample ultimately high levels of K in silage. This in turn can
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... increase the risk of Milk Fever in the spring. Potassium
P Requirement K Requirement levels in the silage should be
ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
..Benefits of Sulphur on Grass Quality & Production
Dry True Digestibility Milk L DM
Matter % Protein % /Cow/Day Yield
N Only N+S
First Cut Fertiliser options
No Slurry
Product Rate N P K Sulphur Selenium Avail
Silage Boost 4 1/2 bags/ac 94.5 9 45 10 X Yes
Selenicut 4 1/2 bags/ac 90 9 54 10 Yes X
Sulpha 23-2-12 + S 4 bags/acre 92 8 48 24 X X
24-2.5-10 4 bags/acre 96 10 40 - - -
With Slurry
Product Rate N P K Sulphur Selenium Avail
Slurry 3000 gals/ac 15 18 90
Selenigrass ± S* 3½ bags/ac 87.5 102.5 - - 10.5 Yes
Sweetgrass 3% S 3½ bags/ac 81 96 - - 10.5 -
Can + S 3 bags/ac 81 96 - - 15 -
Sulpha 33 + 12% S 2½ bags/ac 85 100 - - 30 -
Koch KAN 38% N + 2 bags/ac 76 91 - - 15 -
7.5% S
*Can be requested with 3% sulphur.
Koch KAN Sulpha Nitrogen
KAN is a nitrogen fertiliser based on urea, treated with Sulpha Nitrogen is a urea ammonium nitrate. Its 2 forms
AGROTAIN stabiliser. Teagasc Trials have proven that, of Nitrogen with the addition of sulphur:
Agrotain reduced volatilisation (N loss) to ensure that the • Decreased N losses through volatilisation
Nitrogen is available to fuel crop growth all season long. • Reduced loss of N through leaching
• Lead to better Nitrogen efficiency and uptake
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
KEY POINT
Urea based fertilisers for use all year round
5
Plan for The Best
Silage Quality by Liam Cronin
B.Agr.Sc
KEY POINT
During the silage making process you will lose quantity (T/DM/acre) and quality (available energy).
Quantity First cut grass silage nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and
Between 15 - 30% of the grass you have standing in the potassium (K) requirements (5t/ha DM)
field, will not make it into your animal’s mouths.
N P K
Quality Requirement
(u/ac)
Requirement
(u/ac)
Requirement
(u/ac)
K
The digestibility of ingested silage can be 0 - 7 units
Index 1 100 32 140 45
below the digestibility of the silage sward. This 5
Index 2 100 24 120 54
unit drop in digestibility will cost you 1.5kg of extra
Index 3 100 16 100 48
concentrates for the same live weight gain.
Index 4 100 0 0 40
Silage to be cut in late May/early June needs to be
For older swards with lower yield potential reduce N, P,
closed in April.
and K by 20u N, 3u P and 20u K. 3000 gals/ac of slurry
reduces N, P, and K by 18u N, 15u P and 90u K.
The aim of the silage making process is to have a high
yield of good quality grass.
If your silage sward is closed off in early April, with an
average growth rate of 120kg/ha/day over a 6 week
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ period you will have an 8T/acre crop.
What factors affect the
yield of silage?
1. Recently reseeded Ryegrass swards are higher
yielding than old permanent grassland.
Dairygolds no. 2 grass seed mixture is designed
specifically for silage, with good spring grass
growth, high silage yields and durable varieties to
ensure a long lasting sward.
2. Correct P, K and pH status. Nutrients should be
applied based on soil fertility status.
What factors affect the quality of
3. Avoid soil compaction. silage?
4. Sufficiently long growth duration. The quality of your silage is a function of:
1. The digestibility of your silage - is it leafy of stemmy?
2. The preservation of your silage - is the taste/smell ok?
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3. The aerobic stability of your silage - is it heating or
mouldy?
6 www.dairygoldagri.ie
ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
1 Digestibility
The higher the digestibility of a silage, the higher
How does grass growth stage at
cutting affect silage quality?
the intake potential and the energy content (UFL).
A 70% DMD silage will support more live weight gain
(LWG) than a 65% DMD silage at the same level of
concentrates.
Silage
DMD 76+% 74-76% 71-73% 68-70%
C Dead Grass
Silage ground not grazed since the previous
Grass Silage Digestibility:
reasons it can be below target
autumn may have a dead butt of grass. A dead butt of
grass will have a DMD of 40-50%, reducing the DMD of Size of drop in
Cause of drop in DMD DMD %
your silage by 6-7 % points or increasing concentrate
1 week delay in harvesting 2.5-3
requirements by 1-2 kg meals, depending on the feeding
system. Old pasture (little ryegrass) 5-6
Lodging 7-9
Grazing the silage ground in the spring will decrease Not grazed (dead butt) 6-7
yield. However delaying the harvest by 10 days will Bad preservation 2-3
retrieve a lot of that yield.
Heating at feedout 2-3
Spring grazing can also decrease silage crude proteins ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
by up to 1.5%.
KEY POINT
2 Preservation
The better the preservation of a silage, the higher
Grazing any dead material off these fields the intake potential and LWG. Preservation is measured
should be a priority for farmers who want by the silage pH and ammonia-N%.
to make highly digestible silage
The effect of silage preservation
As ground conditions improve we should target higher on performance
stocking rates on these fields over a short period to
graze them out before fertilising and closing. Preservation Good Bad
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ pH 4.2 4.8
Ammonia – N% 7 18
D Weather
Lodging in wet weather results in the
DM intake (kg/day)
LWG (kg/day)
9.6
0.9
6.7
0.5
accumulation of dead material at the base of the crop.
Carcass gain (kg/day) 0.5 0.3
This can increase the rate of decline in DMD from 2.5
units per week to up to 9 units per week.
What are we trying to achieve
In Normal weather conditions silage DMD drops by c.3% We want to reduce pH to pickle the silage.
per week i.e DMD from 75 to 72 %
What do we need for good
If grass is Lodged and the weather is wet, silage DMD preservation?
can drops by c.6 - 9% units in a week i.e DMD from 75 to • No air (Anaerobic conditions) – fast filling, well
69 % compacted, perfect sealing.
• Lactic acid bacteria- to drive down the pH
• Sugars
8 www.dairygoldagri.ie
ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
KEY POINT What is the additive doing? Is it:
Sugars >3% = good preservation • Adding bacteria?
• Adding sugar?
• Adding acid?
Grass sugars are influenced by • Does it aid aerobic stability?
If using an additive it needs to generate a return on
Weather your investment. Additives can increase performance
Sugars increase with sunshine & cool night. In general from conserved forage, lowering your concentrates
it increases as the grass crop matures, making low requirements.
digestibility silage easier to preserve. Sugars decrease
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
in warm, overcast & wet weather. They can range from
1-7%. Time of days has a small effect compared to
weather over a number of days.
Aerobic Stability
You never want to see heating and mould.
Sward type Heating and moulds lead to:
Ryegrass produces more sugars than weed grasses. You • Loss of feed stuff
are 4 times more likely to get a good preservation with • Reduced intake
• Loss of feed value
perennial ryegrass than red fescue
The heat is produced by and the moulds grown on the
Fertiliser/Manure 100% digestible proportion of the silage. Moulds can be
High nitrogen application reduces grass sugar levels & harmful to animals and man. To minimise we need to
increases buffering capacity, making silage more difficult limit the silages access to air when filling the pit, during
to preserve. Expect silage to use up 2 units of N per day storage and at feed out.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Wilting
Wilting under conditions where there is no drying will
make it harder to preserve. The benefits of wilting are Checklist to limiting
greater after a wet spell. If there are continuous dry
conditions it will do little to improve preservation.
mould on Bales
• Wilt to >30% DM (
Chemical Control of
Ragwort in Grassland
by Shane Cotter
B.Agr.Sc
R agwort (Senecio Jacobea) also known as
ragweed, buachalán is poisonous in the green
Spray Control
At smaller infestation levels, pulling of ragwort can
and preserved state and has been responsible be a successful control option. For larger infestation
for many animal fatalities. Ragwort is listed as one of numbers, sprays such as MCPA, 2, 4-D (D50) and
many noxious weeds in the Noxious Weeds Act. It is Forefront provide good control but measures must be
also a biennial plant (lives for two years). Ragworts taken to avoid stock eating any dying or dead ragwort
poisoning can also show symptoms such as tenesmus, present.
hind limb weakness and severe animal pain according
to the Department of Agriculture. The key points in chemical Ragwort control include:
• The best time to spray ragwort is at the rosette
Normally animals don’t eat ragwort in pastures unless
stage, roughly around half the size of a rugby
grazed grass availability is extremely restricted.
ball.
An animal must consume up to 12 % of the animal’s
body weight in the weed to cause severe problems. • The larger the ragwort the longer it takes for the
Ragwort becomes more palatable to animals when cut carcase to rot down and not be cut in silage/grazed
or sprayed, as this releases sugars in the plant. Most • Avoid spraying once the plant becomes stemmy
fatalities occur where there is a mixture of ragwort • Ensure the plant is actively growing
finely chopped in hay or silage where cattle are forced
• Spray in the Spring (February to Mid-March) or
to eat this palatable ragwort.
late Autumn (September to Mid-November)
• Ensure that the plant is fully decayed into the
soil before grazing again (usually 5 to 6 weeks).
The best spray options are in the table below, note no
spray control option is clover safe. Forefront T can only
be used on grazing ground.
Rate L/ha Water Rate
Spray Note
(l/ac) L/ha (l/ac)
Forefront T 2.0L/ha 300L/Ha To be sprayed
(0.8 l/ac) (120 l/ac) on grazing
ground only
Lupo 4.0L/ha 200L/Ha Add an adjuvant
(1.6 l/ac) (80 l/ac) for best control
10 www.dairygoldagri.ieISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
by Rebecca
2281_GI Dairygold ad - JP Aherne_ZL GIA_190x128_0218.indd 1 12/02/2018 14:06
O’Sullivan Calf Milk Features
Has three times the level of
B.Ag.Sc
Replacement IgG, a vital immunoglobulin
for early life immune
Specialist development.
Has elevated levels of
Imunopro, forms the base of Dairygolds lactoferrins which play a
Prime Elite 23 and Prime Elite 25 Plus Milk critical role in the reduction
Replacers. This highly nutritious bioactive of scour in calves.
complex is a result of Volac’s unique ultrafiltration Has a high level of
process.The careful balancing of fats, sugars and proteins is done in a liquid phospholipids and
blend, which ensures that when the product is dried it has a superior mixing sphingolipids, fats
qualities at low temperatures and that it supports high levels of growth. which support calf gut
development and have anti-
bacterial properties.
When compared with milk, skim and whey, Imunopro:
Has significantly higher levels of key proteins/amino acids Has elevated levels of the
such as lysine. Amino acids drive calf growth and within complex sugars called
amino acids lysine is of most importance. Trials have oligosaccharides.
shown calf LWG of 250g when receiving 8g/day lysine, Oligosaccharides are milks
to over 900g in calves receiving 17g/day lysine. Feeding natural pre-biotics and they
Prime Elite 25% Plus at 750grms supplies 17.0grms of have an important role in the
development of a healthy
lysine daily.
population of bacteria in the
newborn gut.
Please contact me on 086 7938420 or on email at rosullivan@dairygold.ie with any queries.
11Buying Dairy Calves Adapted from
for Beef Production
Guidelines for farmers
considering purchasing calves Calf to Beef
System Slaughtered Carcass
Weight
Total Cost
(excl labour)
born in dairy herds for beef
production Friesian Steer 24 months 320 kg € 950
(indoor)
Early Maturing 23 months 310 kg € 850
Will I make a profit? Steer (indoor)
Dairy calf-to-beef systems are relatively low cost to Early Maturing 26 months (off 320 kg € 900
invest in initially but can have high costs per head up Steer grass)
Early Maturing 21 months (off 250 kg € 650
to slaughter. Cash flow also needs to be considered as
Heifer grass)
there may be no sales for a long period of time.
For dairy calf-to-beef systems
to be profitable the value of the
carcass produced must cover
1. The cost of buying the calf.
2. All production costs to slaughter.
3. A net margin per head.
Before purchasing calves, beef farmers should
estimate production costs and carcass value of the
With moderate levels of efficiency use 5% lower carcass
system they are aiming for to ensure they will return a
weights and 10% higher costs.
profit.
The figures above can be used by beef farmers to
The table below gives guideline costs (excluding labour)
estimate the value of calves for sale:-
and carcass weights for the most common calf to beef
systems (operated at a high level of efficiency).
Carcass weight × Estimated beef selling price (€ per kg)
Minus total costs (€ per head)
Minus net margin required (€ per head)
12 www.dairygoldagri.ieISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
Do I have suitable housing? Where will I source calves?
Housing is often the limiting factor on how many calves Buying healthy calves is critical to the profitability of the
can be purchased. Calves should be housed in properly system. Purchased calves should be alert, have clear
designed calf sheds with the correct space allowance, eyes, dry navel, no swelling of joints, no signs of scour
adequate ventilation and in very hygienic conditions or pneumonia, a shiny coat and a correct weight for its
with enough bedding. age.
Space Allowance 1. Calves ideally should be at least 14 to 21 days old
- Calves may be kept in single pens or in groups. and have good weight for age (45 to 50kg at 2
- As a general guide a total floor area of 2.3m2 weeks of age).
per calf (includes feed passage) with a cubic air
2. Try to choose calves that have been fed sufficient
capacity of approximately 10m3 per calf should be
colostrum.
provided.
3. Select calves from as few sources as possible..
Ventilation
- Ventilated housing that is free of draughts will
reduce the environmental stresses on calves Pro’s Con’s
Mart -Convenient -Unknown disease status
and adequate air changes resulting from good
-Priced at market value -Transport to and from mart
ventilation reduce the infection load on the calves.
Agent -Convenient -Unknown disease status
- Air outlet areas should be a minimum of 0.05m2
-Can set criteria – price, -Calves may spend
per calf and situated at least 1.5m higher quality considerable time in transit
than the inlet. The inlet area should be 4 times -Need good relationship
(minimum 2 times) the outlet area per calf. with the agent
Direct -Can attain disease status -Requires planning and
- As a general rule of thumb, there should be 5cm of
from including feeding of having an agreement in
ridge opening for every 3.0m of building width. farm colostrum place with the dairy farmer
-Can plan when calves are
Bedding/hygiene coming
-NO mart travelling for you
- Prior to the arrival of each batch of calves,
or calf
the shed should be thoroughly cleaned and
disinfected with a broad spectrum disinfectant.
- Bedding needs to be kept clean and dry and pens
should be set up to allow for ease of cleaning and
manure removal.
- Work and hygiene routines should be worked
out in advance to prevent young calves catching
disease from older or sick calves.
The milk preparation area should be clean, dry and
adjacent to the housing to reduce the labour input
required at feeding.
13What will I feed to calves? Feeding Programme
Pre-weaning nutrition affects growth rates, health and - Feed calves 3 litres of calf milk replacer twice daily
the ability to cope with cold stress. Young animals have (at 12.5% solids) until they are at least three weeks of
the ability to convert feed into growth most efficiently age.
during the first two months of life. - Supplement with good quality starter concentrates,
and roughage in the form of good quality chopped
- On arrival allow calves 2-3 hours rest before feeding straw (not hay).
a good rehydration electrolyte as a first feed.
- Calves should have access to clean fresh water at
- Take rectal body temperatures. A high temperature all times.
is often the first sign of sickness.
- Calves should not be weaned until they are
- Take sick animals to a sick pen for examination consuming at least 1kg calf starter/day for three
and possible treatment by, or upon advice of a consecutive days.
veterinarian.
- Wean calves gradually off milk replacer over a 7 to
10 day period. For a concentration of 12.5% solids
use 125g of milk powder and 875 ml of water to
make 1 litre of mixed milk.
- Protein levels in a calf milk replacer should be at
least 23-26% and consist predominantly of milk
proteins.
- Ensure that the water temperature is not greater
than 39°C.
Both Dairygold Prime Elite 23% and Prime Elite 25% plus
milk replacers are ideal for bought in calves.
14 www.dairygoldagri.ieISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
Heat
by Doreen Corridan Munster AI Detection Aids
The Vasectomised Bull Crayons
A vasectomised bull fitted with a Crayons work on the same principle When it is gone
chin ball is the best method of heat as tail paint and are very convenient tacky it will stick
detection for suckler cows and heifers. to use. How-ever, the crayons rub off to your glove; in
easier than tail paint, this makes them warmer days it will
extremely useful for maiden heifers. go tacky quicker.
Fig.3
Pre-Breeding They are convenient to apply; this
A vasectomised bull is a valuable asset, can be done when cows/heifers are Apply the card to
when fitted with a chinball, he will mark feeding. They come in boxes of 12 the sprayed area
every cow he mates, this will allow you to and rub it in well
and in different colours. The tip of the
pick up heats at feeding and routine herding
crayon can form a film over it, this must especially around
times.
be removed prior to the edges.
The bull needs to be well grown and ideally
rubbing the crayon
Fig.4
similar in size or taller than the females to
on the cows. The When the cow or
be detected, this is especially important
indoors. easiest way to do heifer is on heat
this is by rubbing the silver will get
Vasectomise the bull a minimum of eight
the crayon on a scratched off and
weeks prior to he being required.
wall, to get rid of reveal the colour of
Always fit him with a nose ring to allow easy the card underneath
the film. Rub on the
Fig.5
application of the chinball.
crayon to the rump e.g. In Fig. 6 the
It is important, especially in young bulls, to in an area 9 inches card was red.
pad the area around the back of the neck You can also get yellow and green
by 1 inch. For maiden heifers come a
and around the nose band.
little further down cards. If there is a lot of activity, all the
Put the chinball on at least one week prior the tail. Top up the colour will get Fig. 6
to the breeding season, without paint; this scratched off and the
allows the bull to get used to the device and
crayon weekly.
avoids wastage of paint.
surface of the card
will be white.
A fill of the chinball paint should last 15-20
heats depending on the bull. Scratch Cards
Fig.6
Renew the scratch
Scratch cards are an excellent method
cards as often as
of heat detection in both cows and
necessary usually if properly applied
heifers. ‘Estrus
they will last 2-3 weeks. Renew them
detect’ cards come
each time the day after the animal was
in a roll of 100 with
in heat. You can apply the new one on
a can of ‘scotch
top of the old one if the old one is still
weld.
in place.
Fig.1
Hair is needed for
Overall scratch cards work
the glue to stick the scratch card, do
Fig.7
exceptionally well in both cows and
not clip the hair, as is the practice
heifers especially when they are
Breeding when using tail paint and crayons.
outdoors. If the animals are dirty
Ensure the chinball is snugly fitted to the indoors you may get a layer of dung
bull (adjust them regularly especially in the
On a dry day when the cows and
on the cards prevent-ing them being
first month of use). heifers are dry, brush off any loose
scratched. In this scenario, crayons
hair, dirt or dust from the rump area
The mark after mating is shown in Fig. 7. or a vasecto-mised bull work better.
This is your proof that she has been in heat.
with a brush or comb. Spray the area
of the rump where
Watch carefully to make sure that the bull the card is to be
marks the backs of the cows he mates;
‘courting marks’ may appear on the cow’s
applied.
side alerting you that she is coming on heat,
wait until she shows a full heat.
Tear off the number
Fig.2
Avoid situations where the vasectomized Chinball, Scratch Cards and
bull may get hurt e.g. if you have a number of cards from the
Crayons available from Munster
of synchronized cows inside remove the roll that you need and spray the back
bull overnight to avoid injury to him. of the cards with the glue. Cattle Breeding Group
15Knowing the
Good Suckler Cow
by Liam Leahy I.A.S.I.S.
Your suckler cow has 2 How do I measure the milk
main jobs yield of my cows?
Weight them early (150 and 250 days of age) before
1. Rear her calf they start eating a lot of grass and when they are
2. Go back in calf on little, if any, meal. The ICBF provides a weighing
service for all farmers, and they will also record the
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
weights on their database so that they can be used
to assess the breeding value of the cows. If you
Rearing a calf are using your own weighing scales make sure to
A suckler cow that does not have good milk yields enter the weights online. The more weights that are
has no place on a suckler farm and, more importantly, recorded, the more accurate the star ratings of your
should not be providing any replacement heifers for cows will be.
the herd.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The benefits of knowing cow
KEY POINT yield
Weigh the calves when still under the cow. Poor yielding cows can be culled and replaced; high
yielding cows can be identified to keep replacements
from; and, the accuracy of the breeding indexes for
your cows and heifers can be increased.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Which Heifer Calf should I keep
as a replacement?
You should be using the replacement index to choose
your replacements, rather than basing the decision on
the mix of breeds in the heifer.
16 www.dairygoldagri.ieISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
What is the replacement index? Rep
Index
Number
Herds
Avg Herd
Rep Index
Calving
interval
Calves /
cow/yr
% Heifers
Calved 22-
The replacement index estimates how suitable (€) 26 mts
females will be for calving ability, milk and fertility. 5 Star 7963 96 391 0.88 28%
Within the index fertility, milk and calving traits 4 Star 8962 81 394 0.86 24%
account for 57% of the replacement index, with beef 3 Star 5888 71 398 0.84 22%
traits only accounting for 21% of the index. 2 Star 3285 62 402 0.82 19%
1 star 2080 47 407 0.8 16%
Replacement Index
National 77 400 0.85 24%
Feed intake Milk
of cow & calf Avg
18% 18%
The table above break herds into 5 groups by star
rating. Analysis is done on herds with ≥10 cows and
Beef Traits 21% 23% Fertility where ≥50% of cows have a Replacement Index. This
left us with 28,000 herds. The average herd size
is 25 animals and the average % of animals with a
4% 16% Replacement Index is 95%.
Docility Calving Traits
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Does breed have an impact on
suckler cow performance? - NO Calving Interval
In 2016 the calving’s from nearly 2,000 suckler cows The national average for calving interval is 400 days.
on Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER beef farms The five star herds came to the top with an average
were analysed over a five-year period, showing very calving interval of 391 days. This is all of 16 days better
little differences in milk or fertility when they were than the one star herds who had an average calving
grouped and compared by their breed makeup. interval of 407 days.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Does the star rating have
an impact on suckler cow Calves/Cow/Year
performance? -YES The average figure for calves/cow/year is 0.85. The
In 2016 the ICBF analysed the performance of nearly five star herds had an average figure 0.88 calves/cow/
100,000 suckler cows based on their €uro-star year. For a 30 suckler cow herd, the 5 star herd would
indexes and found that 5 star cows: have 2 more saleable calves per year.
- Produce more calves, go back in calf quicker % Heifers calved 22-26 months
and survive longer
- Have more milk and rear calves with better The percentage of heifers calved 22-26 months of
growth rate age has currently a national average figure of 24%.
- Produce cattle which finish earlier with heavier The five star herds again came to the top with a
carcasses. figure of 28% of heifers calved 22-26 months of age.
This is 12% more heifers calved at this age when
Recent analysis of the fertility performance of the compared to one star herds. While five star herds are
national suckler herd shows that 5 star Replacement outperforming the others this trait nationally needs a
Index cows are delivering the best fertility lot of attention.
performance for Irish suckler farmers (table 1).
17KEY POINT
Every year, thousands of 4 and 5 Star
heifers are sold off suckler farms without REPLACEMENT
X REPLACEMENT
INDEX INDEX
the seller knowing the value of them. €200 €100
These could either be kept for breeding
on the farm or sold as high genetic merit
breeding heifers. REPLACEMENT
INDEX
€150
However, if you cross a 5 star cow with a replacement
What is the star rating of my index of €100 with a 4 star bull with a replacement
suckler cows? a a a a a index of €80, then the calf will be a 4 star with a
The star rating of all your heifers and cows (that have replacement index of €90. This is lowering the
a known sire) is available online through the ICBF. genetic potential of your herd.
Replacement Star Rating
Index
>€ 98 aaaaa
5 star have a genetic index in the
REPLACEMENT
X REPLACEMENT
top 20% INDEX INDEX
4 star have a genetic index in the top €80 €100
€74-€97 aaaa
40%
€45-€73 aaa 3 star have an average genetic index
2 star have a genetic index in the
€33-€44 aa REPLACEMENT
bottom 40% INDEX
€90
1 star have a genetic index in theISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
Preparation for the Breading Suckler Cow Condition
Season The single most important factor influencing the
reproductive efficiency in suckler cows is early onset
Stock Bull fertility
of heat after calving.
KEY POINT
It is estimated that 25% of stock bulls are KEY POINT
sub-fertile. Cows calving in moderate, as opposed to
poor condition can advance the onset of
heat cycles by one to two weeks.
Keeping a record
- If a large number of your cows are repeating, you
need to take action to find out what is wrong.
- Your bull should have good legs and feet and be in What are the associated
good condition before being let out with cows. costs on your suckler farm?
- Your bull should have a strong libido and a
good supply of high sperm count semen. If you are Cost to keep a suckler cow
concerned or had problems last year, you can get 2016 E-profit Monitor data, indicates the total cost
your bull fertility tested. The cost of this test is very (including both fixed and variable costs), of keeping
low if you compare it to carrying empty cows. a spring-calving suckler cow to the point of weanling
is c. €715/head. With a range from c. €600/head to
Avoid Difficult Calving €850+/head.
We know that cows with a difficult calving take longer
to come back into heat. Cost of bringing weanlings to finish
Stock Carcass (kg) Costs (€)
KEY POINT
Maiden heifers should not be bred to bulls Steers 377 750
with a calving difficulty above 4%. Heifers 296 438
i.e the total cost of calving a suckler cow and
Herd Health finishing the progeny is €1,465 for the steer
BVD, Leptospirosis and Johne’s finishing system and €1,153 for heifer system.
disease are the three main
infectious diseases that can What output price is needed to return a
have a large effect on herd €250/cow net margin for steers and €150/
fertility. These can cause poor cow for heifers?
conception rates, increased Stock Carcass Costs Suckler Carcass
abortions, stillbirths, and (kg) (€) cow Price
Cost (€/ Needed
increased calf mortality. You head) (€/kg)
can vaccinate against BVD and Steers 377 750 4.54 +/- 30c/kg for
low and high cost
Leptospirosis and, every farm
systems
should have a herd health plan 751
Heifers 296 438 4.40 +/- 40c/kg for
drawn up with your local vet. low and high cost
systems
19Fertility &
Breeding by Doreen Corridan Munster AI
Female Replacement
Sire Selection for: Male & Female
Replacement Strategy
Strategy for Commercial
Male Replacement Strategy
Herds
for Commercial Herds
For females to meet the criteria they must be:
Males (Stock Bulls & A.I. Bulls) can be 4 or 5 star in ■ 16 months old and
either Replacement or Terminal Index within or across
■ 4 or 5 stars on the Replacement Index across
breed.
breed on their first genomic proof.
Star Rating Economic €uro Index Star Rating
(within Indexes Value per Reliability (across Star Rating Economic €uro Index Star Rating
breed) progeny breeds) (within Indexes Value per Reliability (across
breed) progeny breeds)
aaaaa Replacement €XX XX% aaaaa
aaaaa Replacement €XX XX% aaaaa
aaaaa Terminal €XX XX% aaaaa
aaaaa Terminal €XX XX% aaaaa
Key Dates
Key Dates
BDGP BDGP II
BDGP BDGP II
From the 30th June 2016, From the 30th June 2018,
The number of eligible The number of eligible
at least 80% of the A.I. used at least 80% of the A.I. used
heifers/suckler cows heifers/suckler cows
must be from 4 or 5 star must be from 4 or 5 star
meeting these criteria must meeting these criteria must
bulls within or across breed. bulls within or across breed.
be: be:
On 30th June 2019 and On 30th June 2021 and
20% of the number of 20% of the number of
on 30th June 2020, where on 30th June 2022, where
the applicant’s reference the applicant’s reference
using a stock bull, at least using a stock bull, at least
animals on 31st October animals on 31st October
one bull in the herd must one bull in the herd must
2018. 2020.
have been genotyped 4 or 5 have been genotyped 4 or 5
star within or across breed. star within or across breed. And 50% of the number of And 50% of the number of
the applicant’s reference the applicant’s reference
animals on 31st October animals on 31st October
2020. 2022.
e.g. for BDGP a farmer with 20 calved suckler cows in 2014 must have
4 females meeting these criteria by 31st October 2018 and 10 females
meeting these criteria by 31st October 2020.
20 www.dairygoldagri.ieISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
Replacement Terminal
Index Index
For a heifer to be 16 months by 31st Oct
Calving Feed 2020, she must to be born prior to 30th
Fertility
Traits
16%
Intake
16%
June 2019; her dam must be bred prior to
23% Docility 18/9/2018.
4% Carcass Calving
Traits Traits
Beef
Milk 56% 26%
Traits
18% 21% For a heifer to be 16 months by 31st Oct
Feed Intake Docility 2022, she must to be born prior to 30th
of Cow &
Calf 18%
2% June 2021; her dam must be bred prior to
18/9/2020.
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
How to maximise the number AIM MINIMUM 4. AIM FOR
FOR
of 4/5 star genotyped
replacements from A.I. a higher
aa aaaaa Replacement Index
A.I. prior to 18/9/2018 for the 2020 €46 X €167 >>>>> €106.5 €78 than the minimum
requirement to have females born prior requirement of
to 30/6/2019. A.I. prior to 18/9/2020 for €78. The maths
aa aaaaa would suggest
the 2022 requirement to have females €46 X €167 >>>>> €106.5 €78 that you should
born prior to 30/6/2021. aim for €106.5 to
ensure that you
1 Establish how many 4/5 star aa aaaaa have an increased
€46 X €167 >>>>> €106.5 €78
replacement heifers you need from chance of meeting
the minimum
your ‘BDGP Euro Star Report’. requirement of €78
aa aaaaa
€46 X €167 >>>>> €106.5 €78 post genotyping.
2 Breed for more than you need. If
you need 7, breed for 10; cows
have low reliability so their 5 elect a team of bulls with a minimum team reliability of 85% as dam
index is liable to change. 50% of the reliabilities tend to be low.
calves will be males. To get 7 heifers
qualifying you will need 20 55% Using one bull with a reliability of 85%
70% RELIABILITY is equivalent to using two bulls with
pregnancies. If you have surplus RELIABILITY + reliabilities of 70%equally.
85% = + 55%
there will be a good market for them. RELIABILITY
RELIABILITY
Using one bull with a reliability of 85%
70% +
% is equivalent to using three bulls with
3 Mate your highest Replacement Index RELIABILITY
55%
RELIABILITY a reliabilities of 55% equally.
cows to a team of selected A.I. bulls.
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
SAMPLE TEAM ■ Vary the number of bulls on your
Mate a team according to the reliability of
Terminal
cow with a the individual bulls; the greater the
Code Rel% Stars Across minimum
Index
replacement
number of bulls on the team, the
index of greater the team reliability.
BR Name € % € € ■ Use low reliability bulls with
SA Beguin SA4059 €273 58 aaaaa €167 - €60 caution.
Keltic
■ Use A.I. to supplement your
LM OKH €115 63 aaaaa €99 €98 stockbull to ensure that your bull
Handsome
CH Firoda Jason CH4082 €109 46 aaaaa €148 €104 team has a reliability of 85%.
TEAM ■ High reliability A.I. bulls are the
€65 85% €138 €
AVERAGE safest choice.
*The minimum bull index with a reliability of 85% when mated to the cow will, on average, produce a calf who,after genotyping, has a 70% chance of
having an index value of greater than €78
21Synchronisation Programme for maidens
Day Action
Introduce vasectomised bull or apply scratch cards/
30th Nov Day 0
crayons
A.I. heifers on observed heat. Should get 1/3 this
1st-7th Dec Day 1-7
Maximise Success week
Inject all heifers not bred with PG, usually 2/3 of
7th-8th Dec Day 7 or 8
of AI in Heifers 9th -11th or
them. AI heifers on observed heat
Majority will be on heat 48-72 hours post injection,
10th-12th be extra vigilant at this time
Ensure that heifers
Day 18 Reinject PG to those heifers not bred. Should be
18th or 19th
Meet the recommended target weights or 19 very few
20th-22nd or AI heifers on observed heat or 72 and 96 hours post
Are on a rising plane of nutrition i.e. gaining weight 21st to 23rd the 2nd PG injection. Watch for all repeats
A: Have received all of their vaccines 3 weeks
prior to breeding
Help your AI Technician
Have been dosed for parasites- fluke & Worms prior to Proper Restarint
breeding
■ Proper placement of the semen is a very specific
Are in a socially stable group; avoid mixing heifers from
procedure and it is one of the main factors influencing
different groups during the breeding season
success rate. Just like in a work shop where one uses a
Have adequate space to allow mounting for heat clamp or a vice for control to allow precision, it is crucial that
detection; increased stocking density indoors reduces heat the cow is properly restrained to maximise success. Proper
expression and more false heats will occur restraint means that side to side and forward and backward
movement are minimized.
Have suitable under-foot conditions; mounting activity
and duration of mounting is reduced when under- foot ■ Concentration is required for precision
conditions are slippery and when cattle are on concrete.
■ Avoid speaking with the technician as he is inseminating
Recommended target weight at 14 months of age the cow as this will distract him from a very precise
procedure
Breed target Target (Kg) ADg birth to 14 months
(Kg/day) Safety
Angus X 370 0.77
Hereford X 370 0.77 ■ To ensure adequate restraint and the comfort and safety
Simmental X 400 0.85 of man and beast, the crush should have a non-slip floor.
Limousin X 420 0.88
■ Avoid penning a suckler cow/heifer on her own for AI
Charolais X 430 0.9
as she may become stressed and difficult to handle and
Reaching the target weights ensures that: inseminate
1. The majority of heifers are cycling Timing of AI
2. Heifers are well developed at calving
3. Heifers are more likely to go in-calf within 60- ■ The best time to inseminate a cow is when she is in
80 days after calving. standing heat and up to twelve hours later. If it is longer than
twelve hours after the end of standing heat the results from
Synchronisation of maiden heifers A.I. will be reduced.
Benefits:
1. Reduces the number of days on heat detection.
2. Makes heat detection easier as more heifers are on
Maximise Success
heat each day. of AI in Suckler Cows
3. Makes it easier to pick up repeats as more heifers are Achieve Targets
repeating together
1. Cow must have an easy calving. Match your cows to
4. Compact group for scanning sires that they are capable of calving easily. Difficult calvings
is one of the biggest causes of cows being slow to return
5. Compact group for calving allowing 1st calvers separate to service. Heifers that are calving at 2 years need an
pens to cows exceptionally easy calving sire
6. Compact group for management and sale.
22 www.dairygoldagri.ieISSUE 01 - MARCH 2018
2. Cows must cycle within 55 days of calving to achieve
a calf per cow per year. Break the strong maternal
Oestrous
offspring bonding This is a superb way of getting
Autumn calvers and 1st calvers cycling. The easiest way to
Synchronisation &
do this is to separate the calves from the cows from day 30
after calving, allowing them access for twice a day suckling
Fixed Timed AI
only. For the autumn calving cows indoors, a door in the Advantages
creep area to an outside paddock can be opened to
allow the calves out to grass. The time to first heat will be 1. All cows calved 35 days are A.I.’d on
reduced by 4 weeks. 80% of cows will exhibit a fertile heat one day at a predetermined time with
by day 45, however, about 10%will not respond. These are out heat detection. You can decide which day to AI
often the cows in poor BCS. 2. Repeats will occur in close proximity, facilitating heat
detection, you will know in advance when planning
In addition to the cows cycling sooner, the calves are out your 1st AI when the repeats will occur
most of the time resulting in reduced disease issues, less
bedding used and heavier calves at weaning - A winner all 3. Synchronisation resumes cyclicity in all non- cycling
around. cows, this will increase the 3 and 6 week calving
rate. It is possible to get 90% calved in 6 weeks
4. A compact group of cows can be presented for
scanning.
Nutrition and BCS
5. Compact calf crop for ease of management and sale
The higher the BCS at calving the quicker the cow will
resume cycling post calving, a BCS of 2.5+ is ideal. Extra 6. Even though you will inseminate them in one day,
feeding after calving will not compensate for poor BCS at they will calve over a two week period.
calving. Cows on poor BCS 1.75 will not cycle until 71+ days Note: When heats are due in a group of cows indoors depending
after calving while cows in good BCS 3.0+ will be cycling by on the group size, it is best to lock the calves in the creep area
day 55. to avoid injury to them. It is also prudent to take away the
vasectomised bull at the time of maximum activity to avoid injury
to him.
Achieving High Conception Rates Recommended synchronisation regime
for beef cows 35+ days calved at time of
A. Nutrition around breeding: avoid fluctuations in feed treatment
supply, keep cows on a rising plane of nutrition Day Action
B. Extra feeding after calving will not compensate for
Day 0, am PRID or CIDR insertion + GnRH at insertion
poor BCS at calving, both are necessary (Monday)
C. Discuss a herd health strategy with your vet Day 7, am, PRID or CIDR removal + prosta-glandin + 400 iu
D. Ensure cows receive all vacinations 3 weeks prior to (Monday) eCG i.m. at time of removal (Indoors put crayons on
cows, outdoors use crayons or scratch cards)
breeding
Day 8 Cows will start to show standing heats late pm and
E. Ensure cows are dosed for parasites- Fluke & Worms (Tuesday) through the night. Record cows in heat and active
prior to breeding
Day 9 Most heats expected. Inseminate all cows observed
F. Ensure cows are in a socially stable group; avoid (Wednesday) in heat. (i.e. cows observed in heat in the evening
mixing cows from different groups during the breeding are inseminated the fol-lowing morning and vice-
versa).
season especially 1st calved heifers
Day 10 Continue heat detection and in-seminate cows
G. Mineral supplementation is necessary to supplement (Thursday) observed in heat. Alternatively, inseminate all cows
the silage ingested. not observed in heat at 72 hours post CIDR or PRID
removal and administer GnRH to these cows at time
of insemination.
Day 0, am PRID or CIDR insertion + GnRH at insertion
(Monday)
Accurate & Efficient heat detection.
I. Adequate space is necessary to allow mounting for Note:
heat detection; increased stocking density indoors reduces ■ PG Prostaglandin-*Estrumate, *Lutalyse, *Enzaprost. GnRH-
heat expression and more false heats will occur *Receptal, *Ovarelin. eCG- *Folligon PMSG, *Synchrostim. (*POM
II. Mounting activity and duration of mounting is reduced prescription only medicines and under veterinary control).
where under foot conditions are slippery and when cattle ■ Inadvertent administration of prostaglandin to a cow/ heifer
are on concrete during the first 3-4 months of pregnancy will cause abortion.
■ The 7-day treatment can be substituted with either an 8 or a
9 day duration treatment without compromising fertility
23PRIME ELITE
KRISPI KAF STARTER
■ 18% Protein
■ Contains highly digestible ingredients such as flaked
maize and barley
■ Fully balanced for macro minerals, vitamins and trace
elements
■ Nustart – which contains:
Essential oils which stimulate appetite and kill
■
bad bacteria
■ Prebiotics and probiotics to promote a healthy gut
■ Contains antioxidants to support the growing calf’s
immune system
■ Functional fibres to promote rumen development
This promotes healthy rumen development and has been
proven to increase intake
Dairygold
maximises the
use of quality
Irish Grain
across it’s
ruminant feed
Please contact your local ASM or our Inside Sales Team or
Beef Business I MARCH 2018 www.dairygoldagri.ie
Lombardstown Mill on 022 47275 to order
24 www.dairygoldagri.ieYou can also read
