5 Tips and Tricks to Engage with Farmers on Non-Cycling Cow Treatments

Did you know around 20 - 25% of the herd could be non-cycling at the planned start of mating? These cows have a 10% lower 6 week in-calf rate compared to cows cycling at the PSM. 

Five tips to help you engage with farmers

1. Empathise. Clarify. Explain

Times are tough, as the milk payout forecast is not favourable. For any farmer, cost cutting is a top priority in every discussion, and non-cycler treatment spend is no exception. Empathise with farmers on the current situation, explore and clarify their farm goals including repro goals, and explain how focusing on even a small group of non-cycler treatments this season will help to improve in-calf rates and therefore profitability. 

2. Treat non-cyclers at the right time

Treatment of non-cyclers at the right time (9 days before planned start of mating) means these cows are inseminated on the first day of mating, giving more AB heifer calves as well as more milk. This provides the biggest return on investment compared to waiting until mating is underway.

3. Focus on long-term benefits

While there are medium term benefits for treating non-cycling cows such as more AB heifer calves and more milk, it's crucial to also focus on long-term benefits for a positive outlook. Treating non-cyclers this season means fewer non-cycling cows need treatment next spring, as these earlier calving cows cycle earlier the following year. It will be more advantageous when circumstances tighten. 

4. Highlight the financial benefit

Treating non-cyclers and improving in-calf rates means extra money for farmers. Use the ROI calculator (linked below) to demonstrate the financial benefit from treating non-cyclers. 

5. Discuss alternatives

In cases where non-cycling cow treatments aren't feasible, consider discussing other repro programs like 'Why Wait' to improve in-calf rates. The 'Why Wait' program for cycling cows will help tighten calving spread, with all the associated benefits including four more days in milk. 

Tools to engage with farmers

• Farmer flyer: Non-cycling cow treatment benefits to farmers
• Vet newsletter content (contact your area sales manager for access)
• ROI calculator to demonstrate financial gain (contact your area sales manager for access)