10 October 2023

Investing in new genetics to improve herd performance

James Dunne, Teagasc Winter Milk Specialist, looks at an option available to farmers this autumn to improve and accelerate the genetic potential of their herds.

One question which is often asked at farm level is where to invest in the farm to get the greatest return? Should farmers with lower genetic merit herds take the opportunity this autumn to purchase high EBI stock in order to improve overall farm performance? The answer is yes. Given the cull cow value relative to the purchase price of an in-calf heifer, there is an excellent opportunity to improve herd genetic merit and ultimately herd performance. 

Low EBI Herds – where to next?

Typically herds have lower EBI figures for a variety of reasons. Often it comes from the historic use of dairy stock bulls, a focus on individual traits in isolation – such as milk volume only – or just an overall lack of understanding into what genetics shall leave robust cows that deliver good fertility performance, high levels of milk solids output and ultimately more profit. 

Using high EBI teams of bulls will improve the quality of replacements entering the herd. Unfortunately a change in breeding strategy will take 5-7 years to have any significant impact on herd performance, which may not be within the desired timeframe for some farmers who find themselves with a herd EBI <€120.

For farmers that wish to dramatically improve herd genetics over a short space of time, the option of purchasing high EBI replacements and the breeding of a large cohort of the original herd to beef AI is something that should be considered.

These replacements that are available to purchase from the highest genetic merit herds nationally are far superior to any replacements they could possibly breed themselves. These high genetic merit animals are then used to produce the herd’s replacements going forward, accelerating genetic gain further.  

Considerations when purchasing stock – quality and health status 

Animals being purchased should be of high genetic merit with the focus on fertility, the potential for high levels of milk solids production with a focus on fat and protein percentages. Ensure animals are AI bred, calving in February / early March in the case of in-calf heifers, hitting their target weights and are in good condition. 

When purchasing any animals for your herd, it comes with an element of risk, let that be a single beef stock bull or a group of replacement stock. It is absolutely essential that stock are sourced from a herd with a verified low disease risk and that you take all relevant precautions when bringing new stock onto the farm.

There are a number of questions you should ask. These include:

1. What is the disease status of the herd?
2. Has the herd had a TB outbreak within the last number of years?
3. What vaccination protocols are in place?

Speak to your local vet in advance with regard appropriate vaccination and quarantine protocols. Use the resources you have locally through Teagasc or joint programme advisors to help with the process in outlining the type of criteria from which you should purchase.

Also read: High fertility, milk solids and positive for milk – Johnstown Castle’s route to functional cows