On farms with early autumn-calving cows, breeding is ongoing. The earliest of the herds have had six weeks of breeding and submission rates are between 70% and 80% so far.
For a herd with a tight 10- to 12-week calving pattern, the target should be to have a conception rate of 60% to each service.
To achieve this, a submission rate of 80% to 90% in the first three weeks is required.
Due to high energy demands in relation to the dietary intake, increased difficulty in identifying heat and the cow-calf bond, achieving the target submission and conception rates in autumn calvers can be more difficult than in spring.
Research conducted by Teagasc has shown that most heat expression by cows occurs either early in the morning or in the late evening.
For that reason, it is advised to observe for cows showing signs of heat at these times of the day.
In addition, studies have shown that cows on slats will mount each other 20 to 28 times fewer than the equivalent cow at grass.
Because heat expression is lower, closer vigilance is required. In some cases, farmers in the programme will use teaser bulls or scratch pads to help identify cows in heat in the shed.
Where AI is being carried out, farmers are inseminating cows approximately 12 hours after the standing heat.
Calving pens and creeps
As most of the housing is now complete, there is clear focus on cleanliness, particularly where autumn-born calves are present.
The programme farmers are providing fresh bedded straw daily in calf creeps to ensure that calves have a clean, dry bed.
As bedding gets damp, ammonia coming from the bed can cause respiratory irritations opening the calves up to pneumonia infections.
One other reason for ensuring creep areas are bedded daily is to reduce the risk of coccidiosis and cryptosporidium outbreaks.
The risk is low at the moment. However, over the coming months, the buildup of disease due to low hygiene levels can result in significant problems for early spring-born calves.
Likewise, calving pens, where still in use, are being cleaned between calvings and then bedded.
Silage analysis
Over the past few weeks, the participating farmers have had silage analysis for both first- and second-cut silage carried out. A full and detailed breakdown of the results will be available next week.
Breeding is continuing in autumn-calving herds. Particular heed is being paid to heat detection. Cows are being observed two to three times per day, particularly in early morning and late evening.Hygiene in calf creeps and calving pens is being focused on, with pens bedded daily.Calving pens are being cleaned out between uses to reduce disease spread.Having silage analysed is crucial to planning the winter feeding regime, particularly winter supplementation. Where not already completed, silage samples should be sent for testing quickly to get an estimation of the feed value and supplementation rates needed. Weanlings with a target weight gain of 0.6kg/day on average-quality 66 to 68DMD silage require 2kg concentrates per day; on poor-quality 62DMD silage require 3kg concentrates; and on 72DMD silage, just 1kg concentrates are required.
On farms with early autumn-calving cows, breeding is ongoing. The earliest of the herds have had six weeks of breeding and submission rates are between 70% and 80% so far.
For a herd with a tight 10- to 12-week calving pattern, the target should be to have a conception rate of 60% to each service.
To achieve this, a submission rate of 80% to 90% in the first three weeks is required.
Due to high energy demands in relation to the dietary intake, increased difficulty in identifying heat and the cow-calf bond, achieving the target submission and conception rates in autumn calvers can be more difficult than in spring.
Research conducted by Teagasc has shown that most heat expression by cows occurs either early in the morning or in the late evening.
For that reason, it is advised to observe for cows showing signs of heat at these times of the day.
In addition, studies have shown that cows on slats will mount each other 20 to 28 times fewer than the equivalent cow at grass.
Because heat expression is lower, closer vigilance is required. In some cases, farmers in the programme will use teaser bulls or scratch pads to help identify cows in heat in the shed.
Where AI is being carried out, farmers are inseminating cows approximately 12 hours after the standing heat.
Calving pens and creeps
As most of the housing is now complete, there is clear focus on cleanliness, particularly where autumn-born calves are present.
The programme farmers are providing fresh bedded straw daily in calf creeps to ensure that calves have a clean, dry bed.
As bedding gets damp, ammonia coming from the bed can cause respiratory irritations opening the calves up to pneumonia infections.
One other reason for ensuring creep areas are bedded daily is to reduce the risk of coccidiosis and cryptosporidium outbreaks.
The risk is low at the moment. However, over the coming months, the buildup of disease due to low hygiene levels can result in significant problems for early spring-born calves.
Likewise, calving pens, where still in use, are being cleaned between calvings and then bedded.
Silage analysis
Over the past few weeks, the participating farmers have had silage analysis for both first- and second-cut silage carried out. A full and detailed breakdown of the results will be available next week.
Breeding is continuing in autumn-calving herds. Particular heed is being paid to heat detection. Cows are being observed two to three times per day, particularly in early morning and late evening.Hygiene in calf creeps and calving pens is being focused on, with pens bedded daily.Calving pens are being cleaned out between uses to reduce disease spread.Having silage analysed is crucial to planning the winter feeding regime, particularly winter supplementation. Where not already completed, silage samples should be sent for testing quickly to get an estimation of the feed value and supplementation rates needed. Weanlings with a target weight gain of 0.6kg/day on average-quality 66 to 68DMD silage require 2kg concentrates per day; on poor-quality 62DMD silage require 3kg concentrates; and on 72DMD silage, just 1kg concentrates are required. 
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