On behalf of the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), PAN Livestock Services Ltd (PAN) developed key performance indicators (KPIs) and examined recent trends in the fertility, production and health of first lactation heifers in the UK. Similar to the annual 500-herds study, the principal objectives of this study were to provide farmers and their technical advisers with accurate and current descriptions of performance levels as the basis for discussion and target setting at herd level.

The source of data were the monthly milk records obtained by National Milk Records (NMR). The 500 herds used in the study all fully milk record on a monthly basis and account for approximately 10% of herds recorded by NMR. Herds were selected using random numbers to ensure a representative cross section of the sample. The herds were all predominantly comprised of black and white breeds (Holstein, Holstein-Friesian, Friesian) and had milk recorded for a minimum of two years. Using data available in the database, parameters were generated to analyse performance of all first lactation heifers calving between 2016 and 2020. 

The herd demographic changed little between 2016 and 2020. The proportion of first lactation heifers exiting the herd (16.7% - 16.9%), as well as the proportion served before exit (60.1% - 64.1%) remained largely unchanged. For first lactation heifers leaving the herd, the median days post-partum at exit decreased between 2018 and 2020 from 278 to 252. Median 305 day milk yields increased from 7412 kg to 8004 kg, with corresponding increases in protein and fat (%). Average somatic cell counts reduced during the period, with the biggest change in Q3 which reduced from 103 to 89 (cells/ml x 1000). Although the age at first calving decreased from a median of 800 days in 2016 to 785 days in 2020, values for other fertility parameters remained similar. The proportion of dams of first lactation heifers with a Johne’s Disease milk ELISA test(s) history increased from 62.3% to 77.9%.

To access the full first lactation heifer report, please click HERE.

AHDB press release - Achieving a successful second calving | AHDB

Media - How to ensure heifers calve down a second time - Farmers Weekly (fwi.co.uk)