The ICBF Herdplus calving report, which every subscriber has access too, is a very useful tool in this regard. In the second part of our two-part guide, we go through the variables that it includes and outlining why the targets are in place.

Recycled cows

Females that calved in the most recent season, but didn’t in the one before that. Typically where a cow isn’t scanned, ends up empty and not calving, she goes back to the bull when she really should have been gone months beforehand.

Average no. of calvings per cow

A measure as to cow longevity in your herd. In reality, it takes cows a number of lactations to reach their full potential as sucklers. A figure too small here hints at a high replacement rate and a young herd – not the ideal scenario unless we are in a rapid expansion or transitionary period. On the other end, too high a figure signals an old herd, which will inevitably bring problems. For me, a good suckler should give us at least five to six calves consecutively, as a target.

Births with a known sire and calving survey data (%)

Anything less than 100% is not good enough here. Low figures are usually a function of forgetfulness on data recording, but some tend to take the easy route with calving difficulty and mass-input figures at the end of calving season. This completely undermines others in the industry.

Births with a difficult calving (%)

Another self-explanatory variable. Difficulty here is defined as a serious pull or veterinary assistance. There is no room for big numbers of these and we need this figure as close to zero as possible.

AI-bred calves (%)

AI works on some farms, not all. But where possible it is beneficial from the point of view of breeding good replacements with the need to purchase extra bulls and reducing calving difficulty in a reliable manner.

Months with a calving

This needs to be three or less per defined calving season. A tighter calving spread gives a more uniform bunch of stock at selling and leads to best use of our labour at calving. It also makes groups much easier to manage during the grazing season.

Read more

BETTER farm: interpreting your ICBF calving report – part one

Watch and listen: organic beef a first for BETTER farm

Watch: benefits to weighing cattle mid-season