Seasonal Caving

[Zach Janke]

Does anyone do that were all there cows freashen in one time of the year? The biggest problem i see with this is trying to get all the cows bred back on time. Any other problems you know of?

[Andy Overbay]

Sure....about all the grazers do....setting a goal of freshening around March1. Most use heat synch tools to bring the cows in or run a bull which can be dangerous of course. In a way, as you go it get easier because fertility if you think about it is THE most heritable trait. Infertile stock don't pass on any traits! Anyway, you simply breed everything back and cull the ones that don't breed or breed late to a neighboring dairy or slaughter. Over time, you select for a cow that breeds easily and with the low cull rates of grazing, the herd grows even with a high repro cull rate. Feeding calves can be an issue but most mob feed and some research is suggesting this grows a better calf anyway. The use of hybrid crosses also helps as outcrosses breed quicker and the calves are generally more hearty.

Best part is getting a 45-60 day vacation each year around Christmas thru much of February.

[Mike Donovan]

It's fine provided you don't mind seeing a really good milker go for slaughter because she hasn't got back in calf in time. I tried autumn calving to get a better milk price, but when I counted in the money I lost on replacement cows the results were not so great. IN the UK dairies will now pay more for a level supply - people drink milk and eat cheese the year round! A break from milking would be good, and provide a chance for some remedial and improvement work in the parlour, but I'm still not convinced. www.farmideas.co.uk has some useful articles for dairy farmers.