Scottish beef farmers achieve lowest calving interval in a decade, SRUC report finds
The calving performance of Scotland’s suckler beef herd continues to improve, according to a new report from SRUC, produced as part of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Research Programme.
The report, Calving Intervals in the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme: Insights from 2025 410-calving interval eligibility criterion, found that the average calving interval in Scotland’s suckler herd fell to 391 days in 2025, down from 403 days in 2019 and the lowest level recorded in the past decade.
The analysis examined the first year of changes to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS), which introduced a requirement for cows to have a calving interval of 410 days or less for their calves to qualify for support. The change was designed to encourage more efficient production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with extended calving intervals.
The report found that while 9.7 per cent of claimed calves did not meet the new eligibility requirement, overall herd performance has continued to improve. It also estimates that excess emissions linked to long calving intervals have fallen by around 35,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent since 2015.
Lead author Professor Steven Thomson, from SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre, said: "The results show a clear long-term improvement in calving interval performance across Scotland’s suckler herd. While the introduction of the 410-day condition is only one factor influencing change, the data suggests support is increasingly being directed towards more technically efficient production.
"Many of the animals that failed the new eligibility condition were only marginally above the threshold, highlighting opportunities for targeted management improvements. Continued monitoring will be important to understand how much of the change reflects lasting productivity gains and how much may be linked to changes in recording or claiming behaviour."
The report also highlights differences between herd sizes, with larger herds generally achieving stronger calving interval performance than smaller herds. In recognition of the important role played by smaller farms and crofts, the Scottish Government introduced an exemption in 226 for businesses claiming ten calves or fewer each year.
The SRUC report notes that further monitoring will be needed to assess the longer-term impacts of the policy and to better understand changes in herd management, livestock recording practices and wider industry trends.
Posted by SRUC on 08/09/2026
