Block calving fertility workshops

Published 28 March 18

Tightening up block calving periods will be the focus of an upcoming breeding management workshops. 

Block calving herds who calve 90% of their cows in the first 6 weeks of calving outperform those with longer calving periods. This approach allows cows longer recovery time post calving, more days in milk, calves of closer age groups and can reduce the effect of human fatigue at the tail end of calving.

Cows and heifers calved within the first 6 weeks is one of the block calving key performance indicators highlighted through our Optimal Dairy Systems work to help farmers benchmark their performance and identify areas for improvement.

Nationally recognised veterinary experts Dave Gilbert and Kate Burnby will lead the workshops, focusing on how farmers can use key performance indicators (KPIs) to improve their calving period and their bottom-line.

The workshops will also cover pre-mating checks, nutrition, health and body condition scoring, heat detection techniques, tools and AI protocols, heifer synchronisation, sexed semen and bull MOTs.

Dates and locations for the workshops are as follows: