Scottish Sub Calving index 410 days

[choochter]

So, there about 400,000 coos in Scotland.
Well, there's seemingly 2million wildebeest marching across the Serengeti, half a million buffalo charging across the plains of America and over 9 million reindeer and caribou making their way up and doon fae the arctic every year.
Is somebody checking up on their calving intervals, to save the planet? Hmmm?

Why are we, tiddly wee Scotland, being encouraged into this nonsense which will make no difference in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Top Tip.]

So, there about 400,000 coos in Scotland.
Well, there's seemingly 2million wildebeest marching across the Serengeti, half a million buffalo charging across the plains of America and over 9 million reindeer and caribou making their way up and doon fae the arctic every year.
Is somebody checking up on their calving intervals, to save the planet? Hmmm?

Why are we, tiddly wee Scotland, being encouraged into this nonsense which will make no difference in the grand scheme of things.

It gives Mairi Gougeon a nice warm fuzzy feeling that she is saving the planet.

 

[Bossfarmer]

I presume you get a payment for the first calf registered to the animal or else 14% of calves will get nothing. Maybe that is the intention?

very good question.....

 

[Bossfarmer]

Don't all your calves not live until they're at least 30 days old anyway

does the calf have to be live at 30 days to get this new sub?

 

[Bossfarmer]

yes heifers are exempt

so youll get £100 for each heifers calf even if theyre born dead?

 

[AftonShepherd]

No, calves have to be alive and on the holding of birth for 30 days to be eligible. Also have to be at least 3/4 beef bred as far as I can recall.

 

[Hilly]

It will just mean less cows i think .

 

[unlacedgecko]

It will just mean less cows i think .

But better cows?

 

[Top Tip.]

But better cows?

Depends how you measure better!

 

[Hilly]

But better cows?

Maybe maybe not .

 

[Hilly]

But better cows?

Your young and enthusiastic , plenty battle weary ‍ that probably just looking for an excuse to give up the cows …..

 

[sheepwise]

so youll get £100 for each heifers calf even if theyre born dead?

No payment only on calves living to 30 days as before.

 

[AngusLad]

I presume you get a payment for the first calf registered to the animal or else 14% of calves will get nothing. Maybe that is the intention?

You receive a first payment on heifers providing the calf lives for 30 days same as before

 

[Nenuphar]

You don't think it could be achieved through genetic selection?

What's your breeding plan, how do you select replacements and what are your criteria for bull selection?

There is far more to the equation and a blanket cull for any issues is a crude method of operation.

 

[unlacedgecko]

What's your breeding plan,

Highly fertile low input herd producing 300kg DW carcasses at 20months of age. Cows are outwintered, calve outside, are bulled for 42 days and grazed under ultra high density.

how do you select replacements

All heifers get bulled. Plus bought in heifers of the correct type.

and what are your criteria for bull selection?

Currently selecting on phenotype to reduce frame score and improve inherent body condition.

Aim to breed own bulls within 5yrs. Any such bulls must be from 2+3 cows. First cow heat post calving will be observed and recorded to ensure we are retaining bulls from the most fertile cows.

Bulls will then be ranked by sexual maturity/"fullness of package" (stockman's eye and weight per cm of hip height) and scrotal circumference.

Read Johann Zietsman's "Man Cattle Veld" for more details.

There is far more to the equation and a blanket cull for any issues is a crude method of operation.

Quite. But it's a good starting point.

 

[AngusLad]

What's your breeding plan, how do you select replacements and what are your criteria for bull selection?

There is far more to the equation and a blanket cull for any issues is a crude method of operation.

I would far rather lose the odd good cow out the herd than keep cows that aren't performing the way I want them to. As I think gecko has already said the easiest and quickest way to improve your herd average is to keep removing the poorest performers

 

[Chae1]

It will just mean less cows i think .

That will be there aim.

 

[Nenuphar]

I would far rather lose the odd good cow out the herd than keep cows that aren't performing the way I want them to. As I think gecko has already said the easiest and quickest way to improve your herd average is to keep removing the poorest performers

Sure it is, but the method being written about here is far too crude. It's an accountants take.

Highly fertile low input herd producing 300kg DW carcasses at 20months of age. Cows are outwintered, calve outside, are bulled for 42 days and grazed under ultra high density.


All heifers get bulled. Plus bought in heifers of the correct type.


Currently selecting on phenotype to reduce frame score and improve inherent body condition.

Aim to breed own bulls within 5yrs. Any such bulls must be from 2+3 cows. First cow heat post calving will be observed and recorded to ensure we are retaining bulls from the most fertile cows.

Bulls will then be ranked by sexual maturity/"fullness of package" (stockman's eye and weight per cm of hip height) and scrotal circumference.

Read Johann Zietsman's "Man Cattle Veld" for more details.

Quite. But it's a good starting point.

You fall down badly on the replacement part in my opinion and it undermines your method.

You need total control of your replacements for true genetic gain.

Best of luck with it though

 

[livestock 1]

The mrs appeared with some cattle out the auction one day some cows and calves of various sorts and a real good looking incalf cow. She was a big lim x cow real heavy sort I had a look at her calving history and she hadn’t had a calf. She was sold as out of sinc being the reason which makes no odds to us. I knew where she had came from and she had been bought by the vendor as a bulling heifer some years before. I wasn’t very confident about this but carried on as normal she calved reared a good calf and has continued to calve on time each year and has gained a little time twice. We still have her a bit like some people that only start to work late on I suppose

 

[Hilly]

That will be there aim.

Looks that way …. Either that or they are just forking stupid , my money is one forking stupid .