Fertiliser

With more rain forecast for the weekend, think about getting out fertiliser if you haven’t done so already in the past week. While paddocks have greened up in some areas, there is still a long way to go on others before there are reasonable covers to graze. A compound fertiliser will help grass to recover better than straight nitrogen. A bag of 18:6:12/acre was spread on Tullamore Farm eight days ago and there seems to be a good response.

Pneumonia

I have heard of a few cases of pneumonia in autumn-born bulls at grass. The warm muggy weather has probably helped the onset. Herd stock daily and make sure all animals are eating and staying with their groups. Vaccination should be looked at if you have had issues in the past with pneumonia. Talk to your vet about an appropriate programme for your herd. Some vaccines require two shots given four to six weeks apart and full cover will not be attained before the second shot is given. Make sure all cattle have been dosed appropriately for worms. Lungworm infection can be a precursor to pneumonia and recent weather conditions could increase the chance of lungworm infection.

Cattle slaughter

With fodder scarce on many farms, is there an opportunity to sell cattle at an earlier stage? Have a look at your finishing cattle or – better still – bring them in and weigh them and see if some animals could be pulled out for meal feeding and earlier finishing. This will reduce winter fodder requirements and help cashflow on farms that are stretched.

Feeding a 5kg ration at grass will also help reduce grass demand and allow you to build up some covers coming into autumn. A simple mix of barley, beet pulp or distillers will be fine when feeding at grass. Feeding cattle that are destined for sale will also help to keep them gaining weight and keep them in sale condition.

Knowledge Transfer Deadline

Farmers and facilitators in the Knowledge Transfer (KT) Programme should be aware that the new deadline for submission of data for farm improvement plans is Tuesday 14 August. Each beef and sheep applicant or their nominee must complete a farm improvement plan with their approved KT facilitator. Contact your facilitator to make sure that your plan is submitted.

Tullamore Farm open day

Tullamore Farm will have a series of mini open days in 2018. The first one of these open days is due to take place on Friday 17 August. These days are aimed at discussion groups and farm tours will start at 11am and 2pm and last for approximately two hours. The focus of next week’s tours will be on winter fodder and forage crop establishment. Places are limited so you need to book your place by contacting John on 01-419 9566 or emailing events@farmersjournal.ie to secure your spot by 5pm on Wednesday 15 August. The next dates for farm walks on Tullamore Farm are Friday 5 October and Friday 9 November, where winter health and nutrition will be covered.