Joe Sheehy: Replacement cost estimated at €1,545 each

As outlined at the recent Moorepark Open day, cow fertility is the biggest factor affecting the cost of replacements in dairy herds, and overall profitability.

The researchers estimate that poor fertility in Irish dairy herds is costing €100 per cow in the herd, or 1.5c/l of milk produced, mostly due to high replacement costs.

Cow fertility criteria are improving, but are still well short of achievable targets — such as 4.5 lactations per cow, or an 18% replacement rate.