Getting large numbers of high yielding cows back in calf is never easy. Doing it on time is harder still, which is why one 650-cow herd is using planned breeding on select groups of cows to maintain regular calvings and a level milk profile. Herd manager Phil Jones considers the Intercept programme is buying him time. Producing milk to a level profile, he faces stiff penalties if production falls more than 5% outside his monthly profile so he believes the programme keeps him on target with regular calvings each month. A select group of cows from the herd he manages at Kemble Farms' Smerrill Dairy, near Cirencester, has been chosen for the programme, and so far the results look encouraging.
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