A recent report from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) found that the average calving interval in Scotland’s suckler herd fell to 391 days in 2025, the lowest level recorded in the past decade.

The report, which examined the first year of changes to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme, found the average calving interval had fallen from 403 days in 2019.

Under the scheme, cows are required to have a calving interval of 410 days or less for their calves to qualify for support.

The change was introduced to encourage more efficient production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with extended calving intervals.

However, 9.7% of claimed calves did not meet the new eligibility requirement in 2025.

Despite this, overall herd performance continued to improve, while excess emissions associated with longer calving intervals are estimated to have fallen by around 35,000t of CO2 equivalent since 2015.

Clear long-term improvement

Lead author professor Steven Thompson, from SRUC’s rural policy centre, said the results showed a “clear long-term improvement” in calving interval performance across Scotland’s suckler herd.

He said that while the introduction of the 410-day condition was only one factor influencing the change, support was increasingly being directed towards more technically efficient production.

Many of the animals that failed to meet the new eligibility condition were only marginally above the threshold, highlighting opportunities for targeted management improvement.

Professor Thompson added that continued monitoring would be important to establish how much of the change reflects lasting productivity gains and how much may be linked to changes in recording or claiming behaviour.

The report also found differences between herd sizes, with larger herds generally achieving stronger calving interval performance then smaller herds.

An exemption has been introduced by the Scottish government for businesses claiming 10 calves or fewer each year, in recognition of the role played by smaller farms and crofts.

The SRUC said that further monitoring is needed to assess the longer-term impacts of the policy and to better understand changes in herd management, livestock recording practices and wider industry trends.