Breeding and calves special: Top tips to prepare for semen purchase

Introduced last year, the autumn calving index (£ACI) is designed for UK farmers who autumn calve in a block of 12 weeks or less and have a higher requirement for winter feeding, targeting production of about 7,500kg/year.

“The index was developed in response to demand from farmers and the industry and reflects the slight increase across the UK in autumn block calving,” says Mr Winters.

Tool

“£ACI is recommended as an initial ranking tool for dairy sires. Our recommendation is to use this figure to filter out the bottom 50 per cent of available bulls, leaving the better genetic bulls,” he says.

“After that, producers should drill down and look at the index’s individual components to improve the traits most important in their own herds.”

Top tips to prepare for semen purchase

■ Assess your herd’s strengths and weaknesses Using AHDB’s herd genetic report or physical on-farm data

■ Set a breeding goal Where do you want your herd’s performance to be in five to10 years’ time?

■ Set priorities Set three key achievable priorities that will have visible results and deliver a positive return

■ Where does your herd need to develop and what are your aspirations? For example, reduce incidences of lameness, as this uses the most medicine, or improve your herd’s fertility so you can start to use sexed semen

■ How much semen and what type to purchase? Decide how much conventional, sexed semen and beef semen needs to be purchased

Source: AHDB

IN THE FIELD MATT FORD, EAST SUSSEX

MATT Ford runs an autumn calving herd and explains that when selecting bulls, he starts at the top of the £ACI list and works his way down, making sure the bulls are meeting the levels of fertility, fat and protein that he wants.

He says: “We have gradually moved from two 12-week blocks, spring and autumn, to a fully autumn calving herd and tightened the block up to nine to 10 weeks.

“We have done that by bringing in more heifers, selecting the right genetics and being strict on what cows stay in the herd.”

Mr Ford uses the herd genetic report to check how his herd is performing at a national level and spot any areas of weakness.

He says: “We have been pushing more for fertility rather than milk, so we are only on about the 50th percentile in yield, whereas our fertility is in the top 15 per cent. Our milk solids, percentage of fat and protein have improved in the last couple of years.”

Previously Mr Ford had been selecting by profitable lifetime index, but he says the £ACI is more suited to his system.

He says: “Overall with the herd genetic report, it is encouraging to see we are making good progress and our youngstock are now in the top 1 per cent nationally.”