Easy calving - not so difficult

摘要

Difficult calving costs - both directly afid jndirectly, particularly if you cost your time into the equation. Labour and veterinary costs in attending to difficult births is an up-front cost, but like the proverbial "tip of the iceberg" is only the small part of a bigger cost. There is the profit fore-gone on dead calves and heifers which is a blow to next years balance sheet, but research has shown another hidden cost that can affect herd profitability over the longer-term. About 20% of cows that have assisted births will not conceive again, and those that do rebreed will generally conceive later in the joining period, and will have late season calves for the rest of their breeding life.