FEEDING FOR FERTILITY
With more farmers turning to AI to take advantage of the highest genetic gains available, it is imperative that the herd is prepared to achieve the highest conception rates possible.
Conception rates are influenced by a variety of factors. Management and environmental factors account for 96% of the variation in conception rates. Herd differences in nutrition, metabolic disorders, reproductive health, heat detection, and climate can result in significant differences in conception rates.
NUTRITION
The most critical time for cow nutrition in fertility is 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after service. In normal circumstances dietary energy is the main factor limiting reproductive performance. The hormones that control fertility and nutrition are closely linked. Minerals and vitamins, such as, copper, selenium, iodine, zinc and vitamins A and E are all essential for optimising suckler cow fertility, so therefore balanced diets are essential.
HEIFER MANAGEMENT
Heifers that calve at 2 years will produce more calves in their lifetime and will be more profitable than heifers calved for the first time at 3 years. Aim to serve heifers at 15 months when they reach approximately 65% of their mature target weight. Take into account that as heifers are still developing,
they must be fed to meet growth and maintenance requirements as well as pregnancy. This is best achieved if they are grouped separately in order to avoid competition from mature cows.
Target weights for heifers At first service (15 months)
Source: EBLEX 65% of mature target weight
Start of 2nd breeding season 85% of mature target weight Start of 3rd breeding season 95% of mature target weight
BODY CONDITION SCORING (BCS)
BCS is a key management tool and it costs nothing! Suckler cows can lay down fat when food is available and mobilise it again when supply is short. Maintaining the correct BCS in the period 6 weeks before and after calving will ensure egg viability and maximise embryo survival. Cows on an inadequate plane of nutrition after calving can have reduced first service rates and overall conception rates, to the order of 5 to 10%.
To minimise negative energy balance in early lactation feed a high quality feed to promote ovulation. See table opposite for target BCS.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80