Mating planning

Most farms want to increase their 6-week in-calf rate. The major drivers for a good 6-week in-calf rate are a farm’s 3-week submission rate and conception rate. The more cycles a cow goes through during the mating period the more chances she has to get pregnant.

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.