Content related to the topic: breeding

25 October 2023

Suckler Breeding Plan for Better Returns

Review and develop your herds breeding plan.

15 October 2025

Minimising calving difficulties: the birth process

Being familiar with the three stages of calving will enable you to provide the optimum conditions for the cow to calf

22 August 2025

Minimising calving difficulties - During pregnancy

Feeding to optimise body condition during pregnancy and the production cycle is closely related to calving ease and the health of the cow and calf

21 August 2025

Minimising calving difficulties - Before breeding

Things to consider before breeding to minimise calving difficulties

22 August 2025

Minimising calving difficulties

Welcome to the minimising calving difficulties series. The series covers all stages in the production cycle, from before breeding to cow care after calving. Scroll to see how you can achieve more successful calvings.

4 April 2019

Buyers' checklist for breeding cattle

Buying in livestock is risky and is the most likely way of introducing a new disease onto your farm. The cost of a disease outbreak can be huge with long lasting effects. There are many potential diseases of concern as this checklist shows.

10 December 2024

Shout about the sire

You could be missing out on EBVs linked to carcase traits that you get paid for

9 April 2025

Artificial Insemination (AI) and Oestrus Synchronisation of Beef Cattle

AI is not traditionally used in beef cattle, however it can have many benefits, allowing farmers to select bulls that are suited to their herd’s breeding programme without the expense of buying and keeping a bull. This document looks in detail at all aspects of AI and oestrus synchronisation in beef cattle

5 November 2018

R&D Review 2018/19

The R&D Review is a summary of some of the work the Beef & Lamb sector is carrying out on behalf of levy payers to help their businesses become more efficient and sustainable.

21 August 2019

Ram MOT leaflet

Sheep farmers are encouraged to check their rams 10 weeks prior to tupping to ensure that they are fit for the breeding season. AHDB Beef & Lamb has designed a leaflet that ensures a quality MOT check for your rams based on the five ‘Ts’ (toes, teeth, testicles, tone and treat)

16 April 2024

Buying a recorded ram

Commercial producers are increasingly taking a more informed approach to breeding and seeing the benefits of looking deeper into an animal’s background before purchase, using data to make informed purchasing decisions rather than buying on looks alone. This manual provides an insight on how to use Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) when looking to purchase a ram.

13 August 2018

Improving KPIs: Breeding herd

It is important to keep the cost of producing piglets to a minimum to enable you to maximise profitability at sale. Knowing how your breeding herd performs helps you to identify where and how to concentrate your time, effort and investment to improve performance and reduce the cost of production.