Dovea Genetics has launched its 2023 genetics and breeding summer farm event: Summer Open Day – Breeding the Cow of the Future.
It takes place on Thursday, August 31st, 2023, in County Louth on the farm of Michael Callan and sons from 11:00 am-1:00 pm. The event will examine current breeding decisions and practices that will improve cow lifetime efficiency.
Stands on the day include the following:
Farm Overview & Sexed Semen
The farm is currently milking 330 spring-calving cows on a 5-robot grazing system where cows produce 596kgs milk solids at 7,320Kgs with 4.46% fat and 3.68% protein.
The farm successfully has a 96% six-week calving rate using only sexed dairy semen for his replacements and the rest to high index dairy beef sires.
The first stand will examine the development of the farm performance over the last three years using Dovea Genetics Sires.
This stand will also focus on fertility management practices and conception rates in 2023 using sexed semen.
Breeding Strategy
The breeding & genetics stand will focus on breeding for improved cow lifetime efficiency through improved components and kgs of milk solids while increasing the average lactation profile of the herd.
This stand will also concentrate on the specific details around sire selection, cow & heifer selection for sexed semen, and the process of matching bulls to cows using production information and conformation information to get the best out of genetic gains.
Dairy Beef
The importance of using high dairy beef index bulls on the herd will be discussed highlighting the importance of boosting the potential to improve calf quality from a dairy system.
Dovea beef experts will be on hand on the day to go through selecting sires that are balanced for calving ease & carcass weight while maximising the profitability of the dairy cross calf.
Grassland Management
Lely Mullingar representatives will explain the best management practices for successful robot milking systems focusing on grass management and infrastructure for an ABC System.
Within this, they will discuss the three main drivers of success from farm walk distances, grass cover, and optimum graze outs to lead to an overall successful grazing system with an even cow flow.
Daughter Group Display
On the day, daughter groups (FR4785, FR4788, FR4428 and FR4439) will be on display with production performances, and indexes to offer a taste of what Dovea Genetics has to offer.
Refreshments will be available following the event. Eircode available – A92A780.
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