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