The breeding period is about to start for many spring-calving herds across the country. Having cows in the best possible condition prior to breeding will improve conception rates.

The same applies to the herd stock bull. Outlined are five steps to make sure your suckler herd is prepared for the upcoming breeding season.

1. Have cows sorted into breeding groups

While breeding may be a couple of weeks away for most herds, now is a good time to sort through cows and put them into bulling groups on farms with two or more stock bulls.

For instance, pick out the cows that have good milking ability and calve early every year. These are the animals ideally suited to breeding replacements.

Later-calving cows or those with less desirable traits can then run as a second group with a more terminal sire.

2. Have cows settled at grass

The purpose of sorting out breeding groups now is to have animals settled ahead of the breeding period. Sorting now means animals will naturally re-establish a hierarchy before going to the bull, keeping stress levels lower.

Cows should be settled at grass at least two weeks before the onset of breeding. This allows the animal to adapt to a grazing diet after turnout.

Cows that go to grass and the bull at the same time will be under stress due to the change in environment. This can delay cows from coming back into heat.

3. Pre-breeding checks

For cows that experienced major difficulties during calving, it may be worthwhile having a vet or breeding technician check these animals before the start of the breeding season. This should confirm if these animals are likely to come back into heat.

The same goes for the stock bull. Check the bull for physical fitness now, making sure the animal is walking freely on all four feet and has no issues with the testicles or penis.

4. Cattle health

While mature cows will have developed immunity to stomach worms, maiden and first-calved heifers can still be susceptible to such internal parasites.

Therefore, give these animals a worm drench ahead of the breeding season. Make sure any vaccines for diseases associated with cow fertility have now been completed.

5. Mineral supplementation

Make sure cows are covered for trace elements before, during and after the breeding season. Mineral supplementation can be offered as a bolus or lick buckets. With buckets, use one bucket per 10 cows and check that cows are making use of them.

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