2025-26 Mating Commentary

The district six-week-in-calf rates for this season has jumped to be the best we have ever recorded. The average was at 72% and the median 73% (last season this was 69% and 70% respectively). In total we had 77 farms (as at end of February) achieving a 75% or greater 6 week in-calf rate which is a massive increase on the 42 farms that achieved this last season.

Three-week submission rate remains a massive driver of six week in-calf rate. This has increased by 2% this season to finish at 85%. About 31% of farms are achieving the 3-week SR target of >90%. This is a tremendous lift on just 15% of farms achieving this target last year. Proactive steps are required throughout the season to makes this happen!

Growing conditions were cool this season, which meant most farms remained on a knife edge throughout the early/mid parts of the season (surplus pasture cut for silage/baleage from the dairy platforms is well down). The positive spin-off was that pasture quality remained excellent. A buoyant industry meant that farmers were prepared to fill deficits with in-shed feeds at higher rates and longer periods. Feed blends containing DDG have now become the normal and certainly help balance the cow diet. A feature of farms with a large increase in reproductive performance is that they are also well up on production. Well fed cows get back in-calf – both submission and conception will improve.

Now is a great time to get in contact with your Prime Vet to review this season’s results and identify work-on’s and an appropriate plan to get there.