Reducing the replacement rate on a lowland suckler farm

[Jim McCartney]

How's it going everyone, this question was put forward to me today and not knowing very much about suckler farming as I come from a dairying background, I wasn't sure what the answer was.
Would anyone be able to tell me the things which a farmer may do to reduce his replacement rate on a lowland suckler farm? Thanks!

 

[Agric]

Bit of an open ended question but what is his replacement rate and why is it so high?

It depends on what you consider high as well I suppose. If he wants to keep a tight block and is selling cows that can’t keep within that then I’d say you have to accept a higher than average replacement rate compared to someone who isn’t as fussy over their calving block

 

[M-J-G]

Use a suitably bred bull with good functional maternal genetics and breed him to the cows in the herd that are best for function, longevity and fertility.

If buying in, buy from the best you can afford and be selective, but from someone with stock similar to that described in paragraph 1.

Like in your dairy herd, feet, udders and fertility will get you a long way to increasing longevity.

Don't abuse cows with hard calving or exposure to disease.

Breed more than you need, so that you can be selective.

If breeding your own, a high cull rate can be the best way to achieve a low cull rate in the long term.

Careful not to keep all OAPs, if you are making genetic progress, the oldies could be holding you back.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Just to say with current cull values a high replacement rate may not be a bad thing, depending on the underlying causes.

 

[M-J-G]

Just to say with current cull values a high replacement rate may not be a bad thing, depending on the underlying causes.

Value at 24+ months would still outweigh cull value, or it would up here anyway.
But the gap could be wider, as you have suggested.

If the herd is progressing in performance, along with the fact that a cow's performance tends to dip after approx 10yo, the replacement cost is mostly absorbed through an overall better performing herd.

 

[Paul E]

If the herd is progressing in performance, along with the fact that a cow's performance tends to dip after approx 10yo, the replacement cost is mostly absorbed through an overall better performing herd.

If is a very big word.
The whole point being is that your 10yr + cow is a better bet to produce a suitable replacement than a 3yr old heifer that may (or may not) have the right genes in the right place to make it to 10.
You might have to cut her a bit of slack, but not too much. The amount of leeway you might give her is the art of progress, and different in all cases.