This is a subscriber-only article
I am currently getting ready for calving to start at the beginning of August. Why do you calve in the autumn? That is a question I’m often asked. Having previously calved half of the suckler cows in the autumn and half in the spring, I have now settled on my preferred autumn-calving system.
My main reason for calving in the autumn is for the health of the calf. Calves born outside in August to October before housing for the winter were healthier than my spring-born calves.
Artificial insemination
Another reason I like to calve suckler cows as I do, is to ensure that the majority of the herd is bred to artificial insemination, while indoors. By using choosing to use AI, I have the option of using different breeds of sires on particular cows, which can be adopted from year to year.
These calves bred from the top AI sires are then in a position to maximise grass use during the summer. Calves remain on the cows until early summer when weaning gradually takes place, allowing the cows to be kept on bare paddocks and the calves to graze the summer after grass.
Using this system has led to the bull weanlings gaining on average 1.75kg on grass alone this summer. These bulls are now just over 10 months old and will soon be ready for sale. With these heavy bulls, I have a number of options to consider, but the fact that I have options is a good thing.
Cost effective
My heifers will be fit for bulling at the end of October to calve as two year olds in 2017. For any heifer not kept as replacement, I have the option of finishing that heifer before her second winter or selling her live as a potential breeding heifer.
I don’t find my system much more expensive than a spring-calving system and overall for me the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Heavier calves for sale in the autumn, at heavier weights, before the glut of spring-born calves is another big advantage.
Cows need to be watched during the summer for cases of mastitis and housing facilities are needed for the older calves during the winter.
However, weighing up both systems over the years and measuring all income, costs and benefits, I have settled on a system that suits me, my farm and also the bottom line.
SHARING OPTIONS: