B.GBP.0038 - Optimising heifer development and management to increase whole herd profit
Reproductive performance of beef heifers is a key driver of a cow/calf production system. Achieving the targeted mating and calving weights for the heifer herd are key performance indicators for this age group of cattle.
| Project start date: | 01 October 2018 |
| Project end date: | 30 September 2024 |
| Publication date: | 27 November 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | Southern Australia, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania |
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Summary
In southern, temperate Australian beef systems a cow must produce a calf every year to maximise productivity and profitability. Reproductive performance is the key profit driver of a beef cow/calf enterprise. Nutrition and animal management play a key role in achieving this. Lifetime reproductive performance of a cow begins as a heifer, and to acquire maximum reproductive output the heifer should reach puberty as a yearling, conceive early in the breeding season, deliver a viable calf unassisted at two years, re-breed whilst lactating and support the calf through to weaning. A summary of the requirement of heifers to achieve being wet and pregnant early in the joining (WAPE). The MLA funded maternal productivity project through the Beef CRC addressed many of the components herein. However, there were concerns that due to the design, heifer growth targets for joining were higher than necessary. Thus, it was important to work with commercial herds across southern Australia to benchmark reproductive performance and develop targets for best practice. The research should lead to adoption programs to improve breeder herd productivity.
Objectives
1. Developed a comprehensive understanding of optimum growth path for modern phenotype heifers to achieve WAPE to increase whole enterprise profitability and improved risk management practices.
2. Developed knowledge of the farm profit impact for heifer and young cow management options depending on cost of management options and increased output (income).
3. Created information and extension package comprised of digital effort and small group engagement with producers, producer groups and advisors that is suitable for current genetics.
4. Developed a desktop study of current industry recommendations and benchmarks and delivered it to producers to inform and identify where to focus adoption of outputs.
Key findings
Growth path of heifers in a range of commercial herds has been quantified from soon after weaning to weaning of their second calf. The relationship between joining weight and pregnancy outcome has been quantified. Growth rate (ADG) leading up to and during joining is also important and accounted for most of the difference between Autumn and Spring calving herds. In general, heavier is better especially for Autumn calving herds which are joined during winter and commonly have low weight gain during joining. Other traits such as height, condition score and fat depth were less important. There are significant challenges for industry in that the proportion of heifers conceiving within six weeks (72%); the number of those that successfully reared a calf (88%); and the number of those that successfully conceived again within a six week joining period (88%) were all lower than expected (average WAPE 56%). The cost of being born later in the breeding season has also been quantified. While there are good premiums for well-bred pregnant heifers, there are good fall-back markets for empty heifers, joining times can be extended and cows that fail to raise a calf or re-breed can be sold into valuable manufacturing markets. A series of scientific publications will be submitted during 2024.
Benefits to industry
Breeder herds are resilient but have significant potential for increased productivity. Decision support tools have been developed to assist producers to make informed decisions about the value proposition of allocating greater feed to heifers. These should give greater confidence to those maximising productivity by balancing pasture utilisation and reproductive output. Many presentations have been given and producers have responded by calculating losses within their own production systems.
MLA action
None
Future research
A large adoption project has been approved and is being contracted. This will build on the outcomes from the project herein. In addition, there will be ongoing data collection and research. The project herein has extended Beef CRC work from genetics focus to commercial herds. The next project will include a greater emphasis on reproductive disease losses which can prevent gains from well managed feeding strategies.
More information
| Project manager: | Tony Parker |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | University Of Adelaide |
