Actual on-farm cow liveweights have replaced the use of cull cow weights as a predictor of liveweight. This has resulted in a maintenance sub-index that better reflects maintenance feed intake costs. (more…)
Have you ever wondered why some features are available on your laptop/PC but not on your smartphone or tablet device e.g. Sire Advice? (more…)
The March 2021 Evaluation will be published on 23rd March. The final date to have any DNA samples (hair/tissue/AI straws returned to ICBF to have genomic evaluation published in March, is 30th December. (more…)
The drying off process is a very important process that takes place at the end of lactation. By recording a cows’ dry off date you are completing her lactation on your HerdPlus reports. In doing so her lactation details will be available for pedigree certificates, sales catalogues and your Annual Report.
Gestation length refers to the number of days that the fetus is developing between insemination and calving. ICBF have recently updated the gestation length figures based on insemination and calving data recorded over the past number of years. These updated figures will result in more accurate expected calving dates for animals going forward. (more…)
Contract rearing involves the movement of replacement heifers from the owner’s farm for rearing on contract by another farmer. Dairy farmers contract out the rearing of their dairy heifers to maximise land on their milking platforms and free up facilities and labour. (more…)
ICBF has just launched a new online tool for our HerdPlus members. The BEAM calculator is designed to allow BEAM applicants to project forward their overall organic nitrogen produced from 01 July 2020 – 30 June 2021. Users can enter the stock numbers which they intend to have on farm from now until the 30 June 2021. The BEAM calculator can then indicate whether you are meeting the required 5% BEAM scheme organic nitrogen reduction or not. (more…)
It’s the time of year when planning is crucial on farm. Decisions we make now will have the greatest impact on farm performance for 2021. We had a super scanning result with only 7% of cows empty and 100% of heifers in calf, with 68% in calf to first service. 145 animals will calve in February 2021. It has been our best breeding season yet. Synchronising the heifers on fixed time AI really works for us and it also shows the in-calf rate for first lactation cows. I feel it just allows them time to recover after calving to prepare for the breeding season. (more…)