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AUTUMN 2011 ISSUE
FOCUS ON FERT I L I TY
G I L L WH I T EHUR S T
During the calving period Gill visits every two weeks,
and then monthly for the remaining six months of the
year. Her visits include scanning all cows served 30 days
prior, plus resolving any post-calving issues...
I N S UMMARY
If you would like to improve conception
rates, reduce the calving index and increase
production, then speak to your local XLVets
vet about making regular fertility visits.
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
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retained cleansings, and checking over cows
that had difficult calvings.
‘I'm usually on the farm for a couple of hours
and that includes a chat over a coffee to
discuss the day's findings. Every 6 months
we review the data and compare it with the
previous year's performance, and plan ahead
from there.’
Over the past two years, annual milk yield
has risen from 7,000 to 7,400 litres/cow.
Conception rates have improved from 35% to
42%, and the number of serves per conception
which was 2.5, is now nearing the target
of 1.8. Of cows culled, infertility is only the
reason in 5% of cases.
Paul adds: ‘Our Dove Park herd is pedigree
Holstein, so we know we have the genetic
potential. Now we've improved the nutrition
we can get them into the next gear. We
have limited scope to expand, so our goal
is more yield per cow, and we'll sell the
surplus heifers.‘
Spin-off benefits of regular fertility visits
Having a vet on the farm on a regular
basis also provides the opportunity to
discuss other herd health matters and
raise issues which on their own may
seem small, but can nevertheless
impact on margins.
Tim adds: ‘It's like having another pair of
eyes to look at a problem. I'd been
wondering how to improve my youngstock
rearing so that heifers could calve down at
two years not two and a half. I discussed
it with Bryony and she's suggested some
options including contract rearing off the
farm. She's also helped me reduce mastitis
cases. The Dairyco mastitis plan brought
up some interesting points and I'm now
using a teat sealant and have put kerbs
in the straw yards.
‘I don't have the time to research all the
facts, and get to the truth of the matter.
I know I can rely on an independent
viewpoint from Bryony who as well has
having the veterinary knowledge, also has
experience of what's been successful on
other farms.’
Paul agrees: ‘We used to only call the vet
when there was a problem. But now we
are all on board with having routine visits -
it's the only way to go forward. Seeing Gill
regularly means I get advice on an ongoing
basis and we can nip any problems in the
bud. Gill is also helping us work towards
eradicating Johnes disease from the herd,
and she's advised us on biosecurity
protocols to keep it and other infectious
diseases like IBR from coming in.’