Strong submission rates across Halter farmers bode well for Spring mating

MEDIA RELEASE

November 20 2024

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Indicative metrics early in the Spring mating season are looking positive for hundreds of Halter dairy farms.

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The average 3-week submission rate for Halter farms was 87%, around 5% higher than the national average reported by LIC (81.9%).^

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About 80% of Halter farmers achieved a submission rate higher than the national average, and the top 10% of Halter farms were higher still, achieving submission rates above 95%. 

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A submission rate is a critical metric to measure the success of a farm’s mating season. Paired with a good conception rate, a high submission rate will result in a high 6-week in-calf rate and low not-in-calf rate, which translates into a more compact calving spread, more days in milk the following season, and less empty cows to be culled.

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Halter’s 2023 data shows that every 1% increase in 3-week submission rate correlates to a 1% increase in 6-week in-calf rate. With the average submission rate for Halter farms 5% above the industry average, this could translate to $10,000 of extra profit for a 500 cow farm*. 

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“These strong submission rates are an exciting checkpoint for this stage of the mating season,” says Halter CEO Craig Piggott. “They bode well for high 6-week-in-calf-rates, which will represent a great revenue boost for our customers.”

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Year-round reproduction insights

Halter’s year-round heat monitoring allows farmers to track their herd’s cycling performance from the start of calving, which unlocks a strong focus on pre-mating fertility, using targeted mob and feed management to boost cycling rates.

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The average proportion of Halter cows cycling at Planned Start of Mating was 74%, while the top 10% had 90% or more, reflecting strong fertility across Halter herds by the time they started mating.

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^ LIC data based on 2.6 million cows

* DairyNZ Economics of Reproductive Performance tool

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Media Contact: 

Ashleigh Gilchrist

021 236 8324

ashleigh.gilchrist@halter.co.nz 

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