The value of a 365-day calving interval is huge

IN an ideal suckler beef system we would all like to have every cow producing a live calf every 365 days throughout their breeding life.

The question is, though: how many suckler cows are actually achieving this target?

Profitability in the suckler herd is largely determined by three main variables: grass/ feed utilisation; stocking rate; and individual animal performance, which can collectively be called our key performance indicators (KPIs).

It is within the individual animal performance that the 365-day calving interval is examined. In a suckler beef system, the only output/sale from the suckler cow is her calf; therefore, this needs to be maximised.

Analysis carried out in 2014 showed that the annual cost of keeping a suckler cow on Irish farms ranged from €550 to €700, depending on a number of factors.

These include the length of winter and housing costs; feed costs; replacement heifer costs; and breeding policy and veterinary costs.

Where management is poor and grazing season is short, the cost of keeping the cow can escalate. So the big question is this: can we reduce this cost and if so how?

To establish if these costs can be reduced, we need to examine the key cost drivers in the system.

Of course there are huge differences between farms, so that is why each needs to be looked at independently, another reason for us to monitor and record as much information as possible for the farm.

Whatever way we want to look at it, the primary aim for suckler systems is to minimise costs while producing a live, healthy and heavy weanling annually so that the suckler cow costs per calf or per kilogram of weight weaned is minimised.

The quality of the calf is hugely important, but should not be the one main focus.

One of the key measures determining the cost and annual output from suckler beef cows is the calving interval.

The target has always been 365 days, but when we examine the data available to us, the national average is sitting at around 400 days. In other words, the cow is calving every 13 months. If we want to focus initially on some KPIs on the farm, we can look at four management areas where farmers can see how their system is performing.

These include calving season, breeding policy, grass/ feed, and calving ease.

We need to look at how long the calving season is on the farm.

Is it a spring or autumn calving system, or a combination? Is there a defined calving season? This has a direct impact on not alone farm output but also on labour and management.

On the breeding policy, studies have shown that the farms with a calving interval below 365 days have a definite start and finish date, whether that is with AI or using a bull.

To achieve a ‘365’ interval, calving ease needs to be looked at closely.

The normal gestation length is 285 days, so you only have 80 days to get your cow back in calf.

Most suckler cows don’t start their cycle until six weeks after calving, which leaves only two cycles to get your cow back in calf naturally or with AI.

The window for getting the cow back in calf is very short, so minimising calving difficulty has to be considered with sire selection.

Costs are typically expressed on an annual basis, but if calving intervals are greater than 365 days, then the cost of maintaining suckler cows per calf weaned is greater than the annual cost.

For example, a cow with an annual average cost of €600 and a calving interval of 395 days (13 months): the cost of this cow per calf produced, effectively, is €650.

Higher calving intervals reduce output and increase costs per calf.

In similar terms, the cost that has been quantified for each day over the 365 day interval is €2.20 per cow/day, so in a 30-cow herd this would equate to €1,980 with a 395-day interval.

In summary, it is clear that the length of calving intervals on suckler beef farms is a major influencing factor on overall farm profitability and we should take some time to assess our own system.