Hard to get uniform results with mixed lots of cows

LOW usage of AI and a melting pot of cow breeds are making consistent quality and output impossible, says the co-ordinator of a new cattle improvement scheme in Limerick.

“The cows in the suckler herds are generally of a lot of different breeds and it is very difficult to get uniform results with mixed lots of cows. If you are producing from several different breeds, you are not gong to get near the peas in a pod which producers should be aiming for to meet the customer requirements”, said Michael Gottstein, M Agr Sc, of Teagasc, Limerick.

He said that one of the difficulties has been the low usage of AI in suckler herds, which are getting variable results from stock bulls. AI is vital if breeders want the right results, he said. He said that special sales are needed if improvement in the suckler cow herd is to be achieved.