Mating stats reveal opportunity

Statistics show this is now the third consecutive year that calving patterns have improved.

New herd reproduction data released by LIC shows good news for the industry and some areas of opportunity for the impending mating period.

The data, from the 2016-17 season, is from almost 4000 herds with a Detailed Fertility Focus report in MINDA, representing about 30per cent of the country's herds.

The statistics illustrate herd achievement compared to industry targets, which are the benchmarks set by the industry to help farmers measure their animal's reproductive performance and identify areas for improvement.

Malcolm Ellis, LIC general manager NZ Markets, said the highlight of the national statistics was a marked improvement in calving pattern, with more farmers achieving the target of having 60per cent of the herd calved within three weeks.

Last season, 67per cent of herds hit that target, up from 52per cent in 2014. This is now the third consecutive year that calving patterns have improved.

"This is a great achievement, which can deliver big benefits to a farm's bottom line. It should also provide a solid base to make further improvements across the board this coming mating season," Ellis said.

"A tighter front-end calving pattern allows more cows to recover from calving and start cycling before mating starts, giving them a higher chance of conceiving early in the mating period. This means more cows are in-calf earlier and then more days in milk before Christmas."

Ellis said the calving pattern also helps drive the most important measure, the six week in-calf rate, with the target to get 78per cent of the herd in-calf in the first six weeks of mating.

The latest stats show a modest drop in the six week in-calf rate, with the national average now at 66 per cent, down 0.9per cent on the previous year.

The chief contributor to the drop in six-week in-calf rate was a decline in submission rate - the percentage of cows that received at least one AB insemination or natural mating during the first three weeks of mating. The national average herd submission rate declined by 2.1per cent and the heifer (first calvers) were slightly harder hit with a 2.3per cent decline compared to last year.

This is understandable given the season, Ellis said.

"This is a great achievement, which can deliver big benefits to a farm's bottom line."

"The low dairy payout and a challenging spring in many areas of the country would have played a part in some of these key performance indicators dropping slightly but farmers can flip this into an opportunity this coming mating period."

Ellis cautioned farmers about solely shortening mating length to tighten calving pattern, as that can lead to more empties.

"In the lead-up to this year's mating season the most important thing farmers can do is make sure their cows have a good body condition score and they are nailing their heat detection."

Ellis emphasised a concentrated calving pattern next season starts with a good mating management programme this season. "Many will identify the 'start of the season' as June 1, others the start of calving as 'when it all gets under way' but I have no doubt that the fortunes and success of next season start with mating. Planning, attention to detail and heat detection are key."

A full breakdown of the data is available on the LIC website