Improving performance in the beef herd relies on optimal fertility, good genetics, health and nutrition. Managing breeding is a complex topic which includes making choices for herd genetics, managing live weight gains to allow timely breeding of heifers, maintaining a tight calving interval whilst ensuring bulls are fit for purpose.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) focusing on breeding include:
- Age at first calving - aim for 24 months
- Calving pattern - aim for 80% calved within 60 days
- Bulling periods - max bulling period of 9 weeks for cows; 6 weeks for heifers
- 365 day calving interval
- Calf mortality birth to weaning <3%
- Weaning 0.95 calves per cow/year
- <5% barren rate
Age at first calving
Studies have shown that calving heifers at 24 months instead of 36 months has several benefits to the herd. Heifers calving at two years have been found to be more produce more calves over their lifetime; allow a fast rate of genetic improvement within the herd and reduce the costs of production for replacements.
In order to calve at two years old, nutrition and genetics are key. Those calves born within the start of the calving period and of a healthy weight will have a greater opportunity of achieving the required 65% of their mature weight by 15 months to achieve calving at two years. Although heifers below this weight target can breed, they often show delays in oestrus post-calving which will decrease the calving interval. This is due to nutrition requirement imbalances between the needs for lactation & growth which then reduce the ability to cycle. Calf live weight gain is therefore a critical aspect of raising replacements efficiently.
For single block calving units heifers must calve down at either two or three years, however for herds with autumn and spring calving blocks, heifers can be calved down at 28-30 months to provide replacements for the other group.
Breeding heifers
Aim to bull heifers a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the main calving group and for a period of no more than 6 weeks. This ensures only the most fertile animals enter the breeding herd; any heifers who haven’t conceived during these 6 weeks should not be considered as potential replacements - they are more prone to delayed breeding in subsequent years.
Successfully calving heifers 6 weeks before the main calving block allows for a longer growth period for calves coming forward as breeding replacements. This can also afford the first calvers additional time to begin cycling again before they join the main breeding herd with the bull in a few months time.
Since heifers are more susceptible to calving problems it is important to carefully select the bull to be used to prevent problems and delays in a return to breeding cycles. Bulls with noted calving ease - direct, short gestation lengths and calf weights are ideal. This information can be accessed from the sire’s Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) which are a set of data used to predict how the progeny of a breeding animal will perform.
Bull fertility
Choosing a stock bull is an important decision. The use of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) can help to identify how the progeny of the bull should perform productively. These figures should be used in conjunction with a thorough visual examination of the bull.
At least two months before he is required to work, the bull should have a thorough MOT check. A body condition score of 3.0 is ideal for a bull prior to work and with time before he’s required he can be fed accordingly to achieve this, avoiding heavy concentrate rations. Assess his feet and leg health, offering a foot trim to ensure his mobility isn’t compromised.
Check his scrotum, looking at circumference measurement and the texture of his testes. His scrotal circumference should be in line with his breed and age. e.g. at least 32 cm at 18 months; at least 34 cm at 24 months The testicles should be firm to touch without any lumps or cysts and reasonably even in size. This can change from year to year, so is an annual check.
Your local vet can offer a more thorough service, including checking the health of his sperm. Since it takes 60 days to fully develop, the earlier any problems are identified, the better.
Body Condition Scoring
Body Condition Scoring is a useful management tool to ensure that animals are kept fit and not over fat or over thin - both of which can cause breeding and fertility problems. The table below summaries the key times to Body Condition Score animals and the targets.
|
Autumn calving |
Spring calving |
| Housing |
3.0 |
3.0 - 3.5 |
| Calving |
3.0 |
2.5 - 3.0 |
| Turnout |
2.5 |
2.5 |
| Breeding |
2.5 - 3.0 |
2.5 - 3.0 |
Calving and fertility problems can be seen in cattle at both extremes. Excess fat around the pelvic canal can lead to complicated and assisted calving, plus cycling problems and delays in conception. Over thin cows lack stamina and can have problems with weaker calves, poorer colostrum and lower milk yield. For these cows, breeding competes with early lactation nutrient demands, delay cycling and embryo losses can be high.
