How to achieve fertility targets during the breeding season

Dairy Specialist Martina Gormley speaks to the Dairy Edge about 6-week calving rate, the leading metric for dairy fertility performance. Firstly, Martina identifies where the national dairy herd 6-week calving rate is and how it compares to target. Martina sets out the benefits and subsequently, the financial implications of achieving target. In short, for each 1% increase in 6-week calving profitability will increase by €8.22 per cow, which will increase profitability by €822 per year for a 100-cow herd. Furthermore, Martina acknowledges concerns some farmers may have about concentrating calving over a short period of time. Finally, Martina gives some tips on management practices to aid farmers in achieving high fertility performance for their herds. More information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2014/2_2-Why-is-six-week-calving-rate-important-to-my-farm.pdf https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/tips-for-6-week-calving.pdf