The first figure to check is the six week in-calf rate, rather than empty rate, with the industry target 78% in-calf at six weeks. Currently a quarter of herds achieve that.
Three week submission rate is another important figure, the target being 90%, however false or “invented” heats can inflate the figure, as can use of synchronisation tools such as CIDRs.
Conception rate, also shown on the FFR, should be 60% or above. A low figure here could indicate invented heats or another problem.
LIC’s return interval analysis report provides further insight. Ideally, those cows that do return to heat having been served once should all turn up in the 18-24 day bracket, indicating the original heat was correctly identified and a normal length oestrus cycle has followed.
“It’s good to run this report now for last year, before mating starts this year,” suggested Horrell.
The chart should have an obvious peak in the 18-24 day range, with few either side. What you don’t want to see is the “Manhattan skyline” of returns all over the place.
