As spring calving comes to an end on Irish dairy farms, attention quickly turns to the next critical phase the breeding season. Getting your breeding plan right now is essential to achieving a successful calving season next year and maintaining overall herd performance. A well-managed breeding season directly impacts labour efficiency, grass utilisation and farm profitability. With most Irish dairy farms operating spring-calving systems, early preparation is key.
Setting a Breeding Plan Before Mating Start Date
Every farm should have a clear and realistic breeding plan in place ahead of the mating start date (MSD). This should include:
– MSD for cows and heifers
– Planned duration of the breeding season
– End date for AI and timing of bull introduction/removal
– AI strategy (including use of synchronisation if required)
Farmers should also ensure all supplies are organised in advance, including AI straws, tail paint, heat detection aids and any necessary equipment. Many farms now incorporate synchronisation programmes to improve submission rates and tighten calving patterns, particularly for late-calving or non-cycling cows.
Teagasc also recommends that bull fertility testing is carried out annually, ideally 4–8 weeks before the breeding season begins. Testing early allows time for re-testing or replacing a sub-fertile bull. Approximately 25–30% of bulls can exhibit sub-fertility, potentially leading to significant and costly delays in calving.
Key Targets for a Successful Breeding Season
According to Teagasc guidelines, farms should aim for:
– A 365-day calving interval
– 90% submission rate within the first 3 weeks
– 60% of cows calved within the first month
– All cows calved within 12 weeks
– <2.5% calf mortality at birth and <5% at 28 days
These targets help drive a compact calving pattern, which reduces workload spread and improves herd efficiency. Farmers should reflect on the recent calving season and identify any issues that may impact breeding performance this year.
Now is also the time to identify animals who are not suitable for breeding. These may be cows that calved too late or had poor calves, have insufficient health or poor fertility. It is important for farmers to give themselves enough time to identify replacements within their herd or source from elsewhere. It is recommended to put replacement heifers in calf before the main herd, consider this as part of the MSD.
Body Condition Score & Diets
Body Condition Score (BSC) is another factor influencing breeding performance on farms. For Spring calving, the herd should have an average BSC of 3.0. This allows for a .5 loss up to the start of breeding season. Looking at towards April and May, farmers should devise a nutrition plan suitable for their herd that allows cows to be at a BSC of 2.5. This BSC will give the cow the best chance of going back in-calf.
Cows and heifers who are thin, in poor condition or lost weight post calving, will be delayed in returning to heat. Farmers should consult their nutrition plan and give a high energy ration to thin cows/heifers. If feeding does not solve the problem, consider restricting the suckling of calves in the morning and evening (from 4 weeks of age). This practice should help the overall body condition and help return to the heat cycle quicker.
Managing Labour During Breeding Season
Breeding season places significant demands on time and labour, particularly following a busy calving period. Accurate heat detection, timely AI and consistent monitoring are all labour-intensive but critical tasks. Having additional support in place during this period can help ensure:
– No heats are missed
– AI timing is accurate
– Records are maintained properly
FRS Farm Services provides experienced operators to support farmers during peak workload periods, helping to protect herd performance during the breeding season. Contact your local office to find out more.