Breeding herd shows best body condition in five years

The breeding herd is in favorable condition, allowing optimism for achieving a high pregnancy rate in the current breeding season, which is now coming to an end. A survey by the Instituto Plan Agropecuario (IPA) indicates that natural pasture height is sufficient to support adequate nutrition for the breeding herd.

“It’s the best January, in terms of breeding herd body condition, in the last five years,” the IPA said. On a scale of 1 to 5 —where 5 is the best condition— 67% of producers reported that their breeding cows had a body condition of 4 or higher, while only 1% said the cows were below 3.5. Last year, the proportion of cows at a body condition of 4 or more was 56%, and in the previous three years, it did not even reach 20%.

Regarding forage height, 73% of producers said it exceeds 5 cm. Although this is below 86% reported in January 2024, conditions are still favorable for forage availability.

As for planted pastures, the IPA noted that “the pastures are in fair to poor condition, while summer forages are in good condition,” adding that “the intention to plant this fall is low for pastures and extensive improvements, and slightly higher for winter forages.”