Table 1 List of herd types

Typical dairy

D

Female dairy calves are reared to become replacement heifers and most male calves are sold at an early age. There are almost no males between the age of 1 and 2 years

Dairy no rearing—contract

DnR-C

Sell most of their calves, with female dairy calves being moved to external rearing herds. Female calves return to their birth herd as pregnant heifers

Dairy no rearing—no contract

DnR-nC

Cows are bred to beef bulls and most of their calves are sold. Replacement animals are bought from herds with a surplus of cows or pregnant heifers

Dairy rearing males

DRm

Female dairy calves are reared to become replacement heifers and males are kept. There is a high proportion of male animals between the age of 1 and 2 years

Mixed

M

Have both milk and beef production activities. Have pure-bred dairy females and cross-bred dairy and beef animals

Store dairy rearing

SdR

Female dairy calves are reared and inseminated before returning to their birth herd. Animals are usually of young age