Improve profit margins by controlling fertility

Tackling fertility and nutrition issues within your dairy herd can improve your margins by up to 2ppl.

This and much more will come under the spotlight at a specialist dairy health event at Oriel House, St Asaph on 30 March, 2011 at 11am.

The guest speakers at the event are Chris Hudson from the University of Nottingham and Bryn Davies of Advanced Ruminant Nutrition.

Dairy health events officer Dylan Jones said: "Once again we have secured the services of two leading experts within the industry to supply farmers with practical advice on how to improve fertility within their herds.

"Over the past few years we’ve seen a declining trend in fertility performance in UK dairy herds with studies revealing that UK First Service Pregnancy Rates are currently averaging only 40-42% compared to 55% in the early 1980s.

"This event will therefore be an excellent opportunity for farmers to share their experiences and discuss possible solutions."

Guest speaker Chris Hudson added: "Recent work suggests that a typical 200 cow UK dairy herd could improve profit by as much as £20,000 per year by hitting achievable long-term fertility targets.

"During my talk I will be outlining the common problems and potential solutions when it comes to poor fertility, as well as helping farmers to understand the factors that are limiting fertility within their herds.

"With such financial gain potentially up for grabs, in the face of ever-increasing production costs, can any dairy farmer really afford to stay away?"

Also present at the event will be a variety of dairy health trade stands including information regarding heat detection aids, genetics and supplementary nutrition.

Two more dairy health events have been arranged for April. The first of the events will be held at Withybush Showground, Haverfordwest on 7 April, 2011 at 11am where the importance of successful youngstock rearing will be under discussion.

The final event in this spring is titled ’Tackling Lameness’ which will be held at Welshpool Livestock Market on 28 April at 11am. As well as presentations by industry leading experts there will be foot trimming and mobility scoring demonstrations.