Breeding tips for spring calving suckler herds

The Beef Edge

As we are at a critical stage of the breeding season, Dr. David Kenny, researcher in Teagasc Grange, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss breeding on spring calving suckler herds and he has key tips to be aware of.

David says that overall this spring has been good and cows were in good condition going to grass early and fit for breeding.

This spring we have seen the impact of the challenging year last year, with cows calving to second cycle and cows calving later on most farms overall. Body condition score of cows and good nutrition to resume cyclicity is important.

David outlines key tips around AI use and in relation to farmers using a stock bull. It is still important to record when cows are showing heat so that the number of repeats can be monitored. Young bulls should be particularly monitored event though they may be fertility checked.

Talking with farmers, like every year, there are issues with stock bulls cropping up. David explains that if the bull has had an infection or a rise in body temperature, this may cause the bull to become sub fertile.

Scanning of cows may take place after 30-35 days to identify cows that are in calf and the fertility of the bull and to check for any issues.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

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