To get a good 3-week submission rate (greater than 90% of cows) you must have cows cycling prior to your planned start of mating. The 6-week in-calf rate is going to be driven by decisions made well before mating begins.
Things to consider to increase your cow's cycling early and their fertility include:
Metrichecking the herd and treating infected cows
'Why wait' injections/PG programme to bring already cycling cows heat closer to the PSM
BCS, nutrition and heifer weights
Multimin/trace element status
Heat detection – training and aids
Non-cyclers – treat before the PSM to get maximal days in milk
Heifer synchrony/PG programmes
Every farm will have different goals and priorities so having a meeting to plan what will work best for you can be a good idea. Also, get your key visit dates booked early to ensure we can come at the most convenient time for you.
Belinda Borman, Farm Vet, Taupiri.
