BREEDER’S FORUM
LONGEVITY
Personal interpretation and meanings vary. What does Longvity mean to you,
how do you measure it, and what steps are you taking to improve it which
will have a direct effect on the bottom line of your dairy business?
In this issue we ask four breeders for their own thoughts on these burning
and fundamental questions.
Q
Defi ne what longevity means to you, and how do you measure
it in your own herd?
Brian: Longevity means to me getting cows to last longer in my herd. I
measure it with cows that have four or more lactations.
James: Lifetime yield.
Jeremy (left): Longevity to me is a long living, healthy and
trouble free cow. I measure it by the number and frequency of
lactations.
Peter (right): Longevity means profi t to me, the longer my
cows last the more choices it gives me to sell some cows or expand
and I measure it with a combination of life time yield and number
of lactations.
Q
What are the major infl uencing
factors effecting longevity?
Q
What steps have you taken so
far, and what plans do you have
for the future to improve and
Brian (below right): The major infl uencing factors
sustain both herd and individual
are looking at your own system and breeding cattle to
cow longevity?
suit your set up.
James: Fertility and mastitis resistance have to
Brian: We made the decision to build a new complex on
a green fi eld site 3 years ago with cow comfort the major
feature highly here together with good overall type.
factor, in the near future we plan to fi t rubber matting
When I think of the 100 tonne cows we have
on feed passages and walkways.
had here there is a common theme of good chest
James: We are currently in the middle of a renovation
project to improve cow welfare – new larger cubicles,
and rump width, legs not too straight, strong udder
wider passages and increased feeding space. On the
ligament and good teat placement. breeding front we are paying more attention to fertility
Then we have management and environmental issues,
and management traits when selecting bulls.
Jeremy: First of all, if you look after the individual cows,
quality nutrition and housing are essential with ever
the herd will look after itself. As regards to steps taken,
increasing herd sizes. over the last eight years modern cubicles and mattresses
Jeremy: Good herd
have been installed along with straw yards for fresh
calved cows and lame cows. From a breeding point of
management and high
view, when selecting bulls I look very closely at lifespan
welfare standards are and fertility index. I think this is a very interesting addi-
paramount. From the
tion to type proofs and is becoming a major infl uence on
bull selection.
animals’ type perspective
For the future, I keep a very close eye on new technol-
- udders (ligament),
ogy and methods and hope to implement those which I
feet and legs, and rump
consider will be helpful. The techniques adopted have
structure have a major
a major impact on longevity. A well trained and high
calibre staff are also very important.
infl uence on longevity.
Peter: Steps already taken include individual selective
Peter: The four main factors matings for every cow using high type bulls, regular foot
that affect longevity in my opinion are Husbandry,
trimming, TMR and individual feeding in the parlour,
being a closed herd, new cubicles and concrete grooving
Udder depth, Mobility and Cell Count.
have already helped my herds longevity. AI 24 is on my
wish list!
90 THE JOURNAL DECEMBER 2009
e6-09 Breeders Forum.indd 2 10/11/2009 17:41:50
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