Last week, we discussed the opportunity to increase output by increasing the herd’s calf per cow per year value. There are also opportunities in suckler herds to reduce costs and increase outputs by calving heifers at a younger age.

Just shy of 60% of our dairy colleagues’ heifers were calved between 22 and 26 months of age in 2013. Though the figure has improved from 12% in 2011, according to ICBF, just 16% of the heifers that calve on Irish suckler farms are calved at between 22 and 26 months of age. Farmers are calving heifers later, which reduces output and increases costs. The top 15% of suckler herds are calving 50% of their heifers at 22 to 26 months of age. This has improved from 33% in 2011.

From a cost perspective, keeping an animal for another year before calving is estimated by Teagasc to be €600. In simple terms, if you are keeping 10 replacements per year, there is scope here to save €6,000 as a result of calving at 24 months.

In an era where the profitability of the beef sector is being more forensically examined, these opportunities for savings cannot be ignored.

It must be stressed that 24-month calving takes planning and the selection of an easy-calving sire is part of this process.

Selection of heifers that are calved early from your most fertile milky cows will help allow heifers to meet required targets, which will ensure both fertility and the welfare of the animal at calving.

Safety

Docility should also be highlighted as having significant importance for both heifer and sire selection. Safety at farm level can be increased through breeding more docile animals.

Heifers should be 60% of mature weight at breeding (13 to 14 months) and they should be between 80% and 90% of mature weight at calving.

Failure to reach these targets is not an option. It could, in fact, lead to reduced herd output as a result of difficulties at calving. To hit these targets, weaning weights must be met. Remember, cows will only reach their mature weight at around five years of age.