Tuesday, 21 August 2012 09:55

Northland workshops focus on fertility

Written by Pamela Tipa

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DairyNZ will hold workshops on herd reproductive performance in Northland during August and September in a bid to improve the region's 57% six-week in-calf rate.

Boosting Northland's reproduction results is a priority for dairy farmers and the DairyNZ's regional team.

The five events will culminate in prizes being awarded, at the end of the season, to farmers with the overall best results and the one showing the most improvement based on their fertility focus report.

DairyNZ consulting officer James Muwunganirwa says the best indicator of overall herd reproductive performance is the six-week in-calf rate.

"The industry target is 78% however LIC data, representing more than 60% of herds in Northland, shows the six-week in-calf rate is currently at 57%," he says.

"If Northland farmers achieve the industry target six-week in-calf rate and empty rate, this is worth around $60,000 per farm business.

"For dairy farmers better results mean more cows in calf early, more days in milk, more replacement AB heifers and streamlined calf rearing. This is the basis of genetic gain and herd improvement."

The events will cover tools and resources to help lift performance and provide answers to frequently asked questions. Topics will include body condition scoring, treatment of non-cyclers and an overview of the fertility focus report.

"A range of factors affect the reproductive performance of a herd and this workshop will act as a bit of a checklist for farmers who will get to hear from a range of experts," says Muwunganirwa.

"Host farmers will be on-hand at each event to share their stories and give an insight into how they have achieved better results by focusing on different areas of their farm business.

"The farmers who have improved reproduction performance have done so by gauging their situation, creating a plan to rectify poor performance and taken action.

"Dairy farmers attending the workshops will walk away with their own mating management plan which will include better heat detection and a method to deal with non-cyclers."

For more information visit www.dairynz.co.nz/events/northland or phone Abbey Cameron on 021 242 5969.

Event details:

August 30

Alister and Lyn Candy (Northland Focus Farm), Signal Rd, Okaihau, SN 10547

September 4

Ash Cullen

Bickerstaffe Station Rd

RD 2,

Maungaturoto, SN 11203

September 5

Warren and Gaylene Burke

358 Tramline Rd,