FRANKLINVets Hauraki Herd Pregnancy Testing Results Need a Commercial farm vet? Equine Lifestyle farm Pets Dr Greg Lindsay BVsc average conception rates across the board (i.e. cows weren't holding their early pregnancies as well). Conception rates fell from 55% to 53% in the region which is very significant - basically for any 100 cows mated - 2 less animals would end up pregnant. These slight reversals in performance follow a few years of gains so are disappointing but have come off the back of a frustrating season pasture-wise. Two of the biggest factors driving strong conception rates are feed quality and energy balance (i.e. are cows getting enough good quality feed). Looking at a combination of pasture analysis results from this Spring alongside production data from farms through this period it certainly seems that the pasture just wasn't "juicy" enough - lacking energy and quite hard to digest. I can only hazarda guess at why this is, but a combination of droughts, warmer winters and lack of sunshine hours all makes it very tough for our ryegrasses to prosper, It's been another hot one in the Hauraki- Coromandel! Settled weather with plenty of high pressure has meant sweltering temperatures throughout summer, regularly over 30 degrees with some insane humidity recorded as a result of tropical cyclone systems. Although perfect weather for lazing about on beaches, instead we get the enviable task of scanning the region's beef and dairy cows throughout these sweltering months. With scanning nearing completion, we have enough herd data to build up a picture of how the season has gone for farmers in the region generally. Mating is a key period to get right as it has a wide-ranging impact on a farming system; ability to pick and choose culls, minimising wastage of otherwise healthy animals, ensuring longevity of youngstock - not to mention the cost of selling lower value empty animals. Tracking and analysing individual farm performance in this space is obviously of value but tracking the broader trends of a region is also useful to drive future improvements. The key metric we like to monitor is the 6 week In-Calf rate. As a key driver of profitability, this is a number all NZ Dairy Farmers should strive to improve. Across the 30,000 cows we have scanned so far this season in the east of the practice, average 6 week In-Calf rates have dropped from 70.5% to 69.9%. It appears the drop in pregnancy rate is mostly due to a fall in Welcome to the team Waihi Vets! Our team of locally based vets are here to help 2417. With good management from farmers, the damage that this "negative energy balance" grass had on our herd's repro performance this year has been limited. Let's hope that with a slightly greener Summer and hopefully a more conventional Winter we don't see a repeat. But as always keep an eye on your information, particularly your milk protein % through Spring, and call us for advice when and where required. KOPU 99 KOPU ROAD. 07 868 5007 MON-FRI 8AM-5PM PAEROA 3 PUKE ROAD. 07 862 7295 MON-FRI 8AM-5PM WAIHI 40 KENNY STREET. 07 863 8684 MON-FRI 830AM-5PM WAITAKARURU 563 STATE HWAY 25. 07 868 9030 MON-FRI 8AM-5PM EMERGENCY AFTER HOURS VET SERVICES www.FRANKLINVETS.CO.NZ FRANKLINVets Hauraki Herd Pregnancy Testing Results Need a Commercial farm vet? Equine Lifestyle farm Pets Dr Greg Lindsay BVsc average conception rates across the board (i.e. cows weren't holding their early pregnancies as well). Conception rates fell from 55% to 53% in the region which is very significant - basically for any 100 cows mated - 2 less animals would end up pregnant. These slight reversals in performance follow a few years of gains so are disappointing but have come off the back of a frustrating season pasture-wise. Two of the biggest factors driving strong conception rates are feed quality and energy balance (i.e. are cows getting enough good quality feed). Looking at a combination of pasture analysis results from this Spring alongside production data from farms through this period it certainly seems that the pasture just wasn't "juicy" enough - lacking energy and quite hard to digest. I can only hazarda guess at why this is, but a combination of droughts, warmer winters and lack of sunshine hours all makes it very tough for our ryegrasses to prosper, It's been another hot one in the Hauraki- Coromandel! Settled weather with plenty of high pressure has meant sweltering temperatures throughout summer, regularly over 30 degrees with some insane humidity recorded as a result of tropical cyclone systems. Although perfect weather for lazing about on beaches, instead we get the enviable task of scanning the region's beef and dairy cows throughout these sweltering months. With scanning nearing completion, we have enough herd data to build up a picture of how the season has gone for farmers in the region generally. Mating is a key period to get right as it has a wide-ranging impact on a farming system; ability to pick and choose culls, minimising wastage of otherwise healthy animals, ensuring longevity of youngstock - not to mention the cost of selling lower value empty animals. Tracking and analysing individual farm performance in this space is obviously of value but tracking the broader trends of a region is also useful to drive future improvements. The key metric we like to monitor is the 6 week In-Calf rate. As a key driver of profitability, this is a number all NZ Dairy Farmers should strive to improve. Across the 30,000 cows we have scanned so far this season in the east of the practice, average 6 week In-Calf rates have dropped from 70.5% to 69.9%. It appears the drop in pregnancy rate is mostly due to a fall in Welcome to the team Waihi Vets! Our team of locally based vets are here to help 2417. With good management from farmers, the damage that this "negative energy balance" grass had on our herd's repro performance this year has been limited. Let's hope that with a slightly greener Summer and hopefully a more conventional Winter we don't see a repeat. But as always keep an eye on your information, particularly your milk protein % through Spring, and call us for advice when and where required. KOPU 99 KOPU ROAD. 07 868 5007 MON-FRI 8AM-5PM PAEROA 3 PUKE ROAD. 07 862 7295 MON-FRI 8AM-5PM WAIHI 40 KENNY STREET. 07 863 8684 MON-FRI 830AM-5PM WAITAKARURU 563 STATE HWAY 25. 07 868 9030 MON-FRI 8AM-5PM EMERGENCY AFTER HOURS VET SERVICES www.FRANKLINVETS.CO.NZ