New Farming Connect workshop will help farmers improve suckler cow productivity

Farming Connect has added an additional module to its fully-funded Animal Health & Welfare (AH&W) training workshop provision.

‘Maximising suckler cow productivity‘ will be rolled out from early April, bringing the total number of topics currently available up to 16.

All Farming Connect AH&W course content developed in conjunction with NADIS (the National Animal Disease Information Service) and delivered by participating veterinary practices throughout Wales. The interactive workshops will be available either in regional face-to-face group workshops (which will last up to three hours) or online.

Guy Tomlinson, of North East Wales-based Daleside Vets, is one of the vets who will be delivering the training. Mr Tomlinson explained that the aim of this new module is to help farmers understand the basic economics of suckler cow production so that they can identify areas where productivity can be improved:

“Farmers will learn how to define a productive suckler cow, how best to achieve or improve on productivity, and how to set realistic targets. 

“The aim is to have a cow that gets in-calf easily, calves with ease, rears a healthy calf and then gets back in-calf, whilst remaining healthy and free from disease. 

“A strong emphasis will be put on disease awareness and prevention, as well as the importance of record-keeping for fertility and calving data, so that farmers have the information they need, which in turn will aid production and management decisions,” said Mr Tomlinson.

Many factors impact on a cow’s ability to produce a calf annually. The aim of this workshop is to ensure that farmers understand the impact of breeding decisions within the adult herd, and the suitability of animal types and breeds for their own production system, as well as other factors that can affect fertility.

The importance of bull selection and health will be considered, as well as guidance on the choice of replacement heifers, their general health and breeding management. 

To find out which veterinary practices will be delivering these AH&W suckler cow training modules, and for locations and dates, visit the skills and training section at www.gov.wales/farmingconnect or call your local development officer.

Farming Connect is delivered by Menter a Busnes and Lantra Wales and financed by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.