Sourcing the Dairy Herd

James O’Loughlin, Teagasc

Key points

Disease status Animal – cow, in-calf heifer, yearling

heifer, weanling heifer EBI requirement – fertility, milk, health Budget Time frame Vaccination and quarantine

Budget

Business plan Maximum price as per budget Apparent market price Animal cost Disease testing Transport Vaccinations

Animal

Establish EBI AI bred or from AI sire Visit farm Fit for purpose (grass based or high input) Good health Achieving target weights Agree collection or delivery date Agree disease testing procedure

EBI

Clear objectives on requirements Fertility sub index 50% (min 60+) Milk potential important Crossbred v Purebred

Disease

TB free herd Must be Johne’s negative Must not be BVD PI Must not be Neospora PI Low SCC herd Free of Mycroplasma bovis and

Mortellaro

Vaccination and Quarantine

Quarantine stock in separate groups 30 days Medicate against fluke, worms, lice and

mortellaro Vaccinate for BVD, IBR, Lepto Teat seal all heifers one month before calving Daily inspection of pregnant animals and

isolation of any animal that aborted

Conclusion- Priorities on animal purchase

1. Disease status

2. €Money

3. Fertility sub index

4. EBI

5. other