Sourcing the Dairy Herd
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Transcript of Sourcing the Dairy Herd
Sourcing the Dairy Herd
James O’Loughlin, Teagasc
Key points
Disease status Animal – cow, in-calf heifer, yearling
heifer, weanling heifer EBI requirement – fertility, milk, health Budget Time frame Vaccination and quarantine
Budget
Business plan Maximum price as per budget Apparent market price Animal cost Disease testing Transport Vaccinations
Animal
Establish EBI AI bred or from AI sire Visit farm Fit for purpose (grass based or high input) Good health Achieving target weights Agree collection or delivery date Agree disease testing procedure
EBI
Clear objectives on requirements Fertility sub index 50% (min 60+) Milk potential important Crossbred v Purebred
Disease
TB free herd Must be Johne’s negative Must not be BVD PI Must not be Neospora PI Low SCC herd Free of Mycroplasma bovis and
Mortellaro
Vaccination and Quarantine
Quarantine stock in separate groups 30 days Medicate against fluke, worms, lice and
mortellaro Vaccinate for BVD, IBR, Lepto Teat seal all heifers one month before calving Daily inspection of pregnant animals and
isolation of any animal that aborted
Conclusion- Priorities on animal purchase
1. Disease status
2. €Money
3. Fertility sub index
4. EBI
5. other