Upcoming Webinar: Who is your profitable suckler cow?

Free online event invites suckler producers to explore data-driven decision making

Suckler producers from across the industry are being encouraged to join a free online webinar exploring what makes a truly profitable suckler cow, using practical findings from a Monitor Farm Scotland suckler cow project on Islay.

Taking place on Monday 2 February 2026, from 7.00–8.30pm, the webinar will focus on how improved nutritional management and data-driven decision making can improve herd performance while reducing costs of production.

The project, carried out at Craigens Farm, Islay, has led to the development of a Profitable Suckler Cow Calculator – a free, innovative tool designed to help producers calculate calf margin over costs and overall suckler efficiency. The calculator also includes a ration check for suckler cattle, enabling winter feeding costs to be assessed and factored into management decisions.

Christine Cuthbertson, Monitor Farm Regional Adviser said: “The Suckler Cow Project has shown just how valuable it is to combine good stockmanship with clear, reliable data. This webinar is about giving suckler producers practical tools they can use on their own farms to better understand costs, improve efficiency and make confident decisions about their herds.”

The webinar will be led by Lorna Shaw, Ruminant Nutritionist with SAC Consulting, who will guide attendees through the Profitable Suckler Cow Calculator. She will demonstrate how the tool can be used alongside physical traits for heifer selection and culling decisions, bringing financial data into the decision-making process.

Lorna Shaw said: “Feed is one of the biggest costs in a suckler system, yet it’s often not fully quantified when decisions are being made. The Profitable Suckler Cow Calculator allows producers to look at cow performance alongside real feeding costs, helping identify which cows are genuinely working for the business.”

Attendees will also hear from Craig Archibald, Monitor Farmer at Craigens Farm, who will share how the project has influenced cow selection decisions and supported the future growth and development of the farm’s suckler herd on Islay.

The event is open to all farmers and will be delivered online via Zoom.

Event details:

• Date: Monday 2 February 2026
• Time: 19:00–20:30 BST
• Venue: Online
• Theme: Who Is Your Profitable Suckler Cow?

Registration:
Meeting Registration - Zoom