The average breeding cost per cow was 0.63 cent per litre in 2014 (€32 per cow, 3% of total costs), so it is not one of the bigger costs on dairy farms. However, there is still potential for savings.

Teagasc's dairy newsletter for April has the following advice for dairy farmers.

  • Make sure that you select the right team of AI sires for your herd. Select from the ICBF Active Bull List and include some genomic sires to hasten the rate of genetic progress.

  • Use the maximum number of GeneIreland test bulls for your herd.

  • Minimise AI costs by working hard to increase conception rates. Increasing conception rate to first service from 45% to 55% in a 100-cow herd will result in 20 fewer AI straws being used over nine weeks (and at €20 per straw a saving of €400). You must ensure that heifers are at target weight at bulling time. Thin cows and late calvers must be milked once a day to allow them to gain the necessary body condition and increase the likelihood of conception.

  • Match the number of AI straws to be used to the number of heifers required to enter the herd in 2018, then use lower cost beef AI straws (must be short gestation length and easy calving).

  • Problem cows should be seen by a vet. Otherwise, aim to keep veterinary interventions to a minimum. Heifers should be synchronised.

  • Scanning is useful where herd infertility is an issue; otherwise, it is questionable.

  • Tail paint is the cheapest heat detection aid available and must be used; alternatives are available but may be slightly more expensive.

  • As a one-off means of reducing current costs, you could use the AI straws remaining in your AI flask since 2014 (DIY operators only).