What's a successful Calving

HillLuing

Member
So what would everyone class as a successful calving % of say 100 cows???

Obviously different breeds and different systems will have different expectations etc!


For us with Luings, aax and limx cows we would say a good calving is anywhere from 92+ calves on the ground with 0 C-Sections
 

Hilly

Member
So what would everyone class as a successful calving % of say 100 cows???

Obviously different breeds and different systems will have different expectations etc!


For us with Luings, aax and limx cows we would say a good calving is anywhere from 92+ calves on the ground with 0 C-Sections
Id agree , always looking for 100 out of 100 but .... dose anyone ever really ?
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
So what would everyone class as a successful calving % of say 100 cows???

Obviously different breeds and different systems will have different expectations etc!


For us with Luings, aax and limx cows we would say a good calving is anywhere from 92+ calves on the ground with 0 C-Sections
I would be unhappy with 92 live calf average over a five year period tbh. Put another way, losing 1 in 20 would be awful and thats 95! I would want 95 to make it to weaning on a 5 yr average
 

JSmith

Member
Livestock Farmer
Best we had couple of years ago was 99 calves out of 100 cows, beef shorthorn cows calved outside! Worst year couple of years back calved a bunch of twenty heifers to AA bull and had seven sets of twins an had to pull at least 15 of them, all stuck at the shoulders! Thought I was being clever trying to get a little live calf by an Angus an got the exact opposite, don’t want to repeat that experience again!!
 

HillLuing

Member
Of cows put to the bull or number of cows at the start of calving? We had a very successful calving last year 3 more than 100%of cows at the start of calving no c sections and around 7% barren. Won’t be doing that this year
Was meaning at the start of calving so 100 cows expecting 100 calves [emoji41][emoji41]
 

JSmith

Member
Livestock Farmer
Always best to start calving with a dead one and things can only get better! Last stragglers to calve cause me the biggest headache because the cows are fatter and ive started to take my eye of the ball abit with spring jobs
Your not joking, second heifer to calve had to be shot, lovely big sort, that was bad day I don’t want again! Next 14 born unassisted and up an sucking, cows have started last few days an had seven cows an eight calves, hopefully they keep ticking along nicely
 
Always best to start calving with a dead one and things can only get better! Last stragglers to calve cause me the biggest headache because the cows are fatter and ive started to take my eye of the ball abit with spring jobs
I'd rather have a set or two of twins at the start so there's something to foster onto a cows that's had a dead one.

As for the stragglers, they're not worth it, best to take the bull out sooner and get them gone.
 

Agrivator

Member
The trend or advice to have a definite calving period is bound to result in a lower calving percentage, even when a herd is split into spring and autumn calving.


It's obviously more work, but where cows have the chance of the bull AYR, and are fit and BVD free, most cows will conceive again within 2 months, so
there is the distinct possibility that there will be more calvings than cows during 12 months.
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
I'd rather have a set or two of twins at the start so there's something to foster onto a cows that's had a dead one.

As for the stragglers, they're not worth it, best to take the bull out sooner and get them gone.
Yes always easier to foster one if you have it ready and waiting, i had 4 sets last year but havent had one this year and im almost done.
 
The trend or advice to have a definite calving period is bound to result in a lower calving percentage, even when a herd is split into spring and autumn calving.


It's obviously more work, but where cows have the chance of the bull AYR, and are fit and BVD free, most cows will conceive again within 2 months, so
there is the distinct possibility that there will be more calvings than cows during 12 months.
Agree with this 100% and it's something that the "experts" don't seem to realize. I may be accused of bullsh1t but it is true. We sold 31 calves off 29 cows last year and have 29 on 29 cows at present with one not calved yet. Had 1 empty cow in last 5 years and she is over 15. No "C" sections in that time. Mostly Limi and blue cross cows a lot ex dairy. Run a Limi bull and do a bit of AI to get new blood. The other big advantage is that your stock is not all to sell at one time which with volatile commodity markets is a bad strategy again not considered by the "experts".

Having put this up I fully expect a run of dreadful calvings and disasters!
 

Is the NEC a better venue for LAMMA?

  • Yes

  • No


Results are only viewable after voting.

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,021
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
Top