Calculating the projected size of a Protected Herd

When you plan for a protected herd you will need to calculate the total herd size from a regulated breeding scheme. All farmers plan on how many calves they are going to breed however the difference with this model is that the herd size is controlled by a restricted impregnation or acquisition plan and not by a killing plan. All the calves and cows that come to a protected farm will be protected for their entirety.

From 20 years of record keeping of western type cows I came across a figure of 16.25 cows for every calf born each year. For example if you are impregnating 4 calves each year then you eventually will have a herd size of 65 cows/bulls. Some will naturally be lost at birth, a small number through sickness and accident but most by death in old age. Some cows will live into their twenties and some will pass away naturally many years before that. Your business plan will need to reflect the growing herd year on year until the stable number is reached

A protected herd has a very long planning consideration in its development and in its succession contingency. It would be against the principle of a protected herd if the herd is lost because their was not an adequate succession plan for others to continue the protection of the cows. This is one of the greatest challenges I  see for developing milk from protected herds. You will need to ensure the herd remains protected when the key farmer retires or indeed departs this mortal frame.

You need to calculate how many herd numbers you will be able to maintain in say 17 years and then divide that number by 16.25 to see how many cows you can impregnate each year. For a simple example if you can maintain 100 cows then the you would be able to impregnate 6 cows per year (100/16.25 = 6)