Part 11. Summing up the different aspects of research and development when put into practice.

Typical performing herd with 100 cows with 30 replacements

• Calf feeding and management

o Reducing calf mortality to 3% equates to £400 per annum.

o Increasing reliance on milk replacer and optimum weaning age: estimated at £12 per calf i.e. £360 per annum.

• Smoothing the transition into lactation

o Introducing heifers in groups to main milking herd: estimated at 1-2 litres additional milk in early lactation. Longer-term effects currently being determined.

• Managing heifers to calve at 24 months

o Additional cows milked: moving from 28 months to 24 months of age increases profit by £3,300 per annum.

• Targeting live weight of 540-580 kg

o Compared with 600 kg+ heifers, feed costs reduced by £130/heifer equating to cost saving of £3,900 per annum.

o Reproductive performance improved (30 days shorter calving interval) Reduced lameness also observed. Overall, assumed 4 months additional herd life in milking herd increasing output, net of variable costs, by £2,140 per annum.

Overall financial impact of over £10,000 or over 1 pence per litre on all milk produced.