Costs of production of all-year-round versus block-calving herds in the United Kingdom.

Summary: Dairy farmers in the UK have different schedules for when their cows give birth, which is called calving. Some farmers have cows calving all year round (AYR). Others group the calving into specific seasons, like only in the spring or autumn. Researchers looked at 604 farms to see which schedule makes the most money. They found that spring block calving often brings in more money and has lower labor costs than all-year-round calving. On the other hand, autumn block calving actually made less profit. The study also showed that making the farm bigger or adding more cows changes profits differently depending on the calving schedule. This information helps farmers decide the best way to run their farms to make a living.