It is well documented fertility is the number one driver of productivity and profitability in suckler herds. AHDB report over 60% of cost and emissions derived from suckler produced beef comes from keeping the cow herself. It is easy to let a cow slip a few weeks or months. However, when you adopt a purely commercial lens, this isn’t possible and every cow must earn her place. As we recognise fertility is key to sustainability and profitability, there are a few areas the Harbro team focus on to help fine tune fertility from a nutrition and management perspective to turn your cows into Super Sucklers:

Heifers

Typically, bulling heifers are well managed and pregnancy rates are good but the challenge comes when trying to get them back in calf for the second time. Any cow needing assistance at calving will need extra time to recover before she starts cycling again. Pelvic measuring heifers and removing the smallest 10% is a sure way to continually improve the calving ease of your females. Then bull maiden heifers 21 days ahead of the main cow group to allow them more time to recover and regain body condition once calved. Keep calved heifers separate from the main herd throughout the summer and feed them well as they are being asked to rear a calf, repair after calving, prepare for bulling then maintain a pregnancy, all while still growing themselves.

Bulls

Importantly, half the job of getting cows in calf is down to the bull. Semen production takes around seven weeks, meaning close attention to detail is needed around stock bulls. Whether serving the cows naturally, through artificial insemination or embryo work. We should look carefully at their mineral supplementation and consider the benefit of additional antioxidant support along with omega 3. Omega 3 is proven to support semen quality, with Harbro Stockman’s Choice range being designed with this in mind. (alongside Glasgow Vet School)

Cow body condition

In addition, it is important to be mindful of the change in cow condition throughout the year. Our team have been trained to body condition score cows to support this. Cows which carry excess body condition year-round become lazy and less likely to cycle normally. Keep cows fit, active and make them work for you. It is well understood in the dairy industry how the diet a cow is fed before calving has more impact on her milk production and fertility than the ration she is fed after calving, meaning it is crucial to plan the ration alongside your nutritionist.

Mineral supplementation

Meanwhile, minerals in grazing and forage differ between geographic areas and even farm to farm. We regularly test forages to ensure products continue to meet requirements of high performing animals. Investing in fertility by putting your herd on the Harbro suckler cow mineral programme costs less than £50 per cow/year. Super Suckler SEC is the base of our mineral programme and focuses on:

• Supporting immunity through supplying selenium as Sel-plex. This means it gets into colostrum and milk to help newborns keep warm, boost immunity giving calves the best start.
• Looking after cow and calf health by having the right level of vitamin E and antioxidants, along with magnesium and calcium to avoid grass staggers, slow calvings and retained cleansings.
• Boosting fertility by including the right level of copper, from a source which has a positive impact on rumen health and is not affected by molybdenum, so we get more cows back in calf.

That’s why with the right focus every cow can earn her place becoming part of a productive Super Suckler herd.