I farm: “205ac of lowland with roughly 60 spring-calving suckler cows. We finish all our own calves and also buy 160 autumn-born dairy calves that we finish”.
Farming: “The farm operates on a part-time basis with both my father Ken and myself working off farm within the construction design sector.”
This week: “All stock have been housed and we’ve treated all of them for worms, fluke and lice apart from the in-calf heifers.”
Pneumonia: “Over the past few weeks we have had a few cases of pneumonia in our vaccinated spring suckler calves. We have had nasal swabbing carried out to try and identify the cause.”
Feed and castration: “Spring-calving cows were housed in good condition and will be fed restricted intakes over the next couple of months. Spring-born bulls which did not hit the weight target for bull beef will be castrated over the next few days.”
Christmas kill: “Finishing steers and heifers appear to be performing well and will be weighed over the next couple of weeks. We aim to kill these cattle around the Christmas period and into the new year.”
Rearing dairy calves: “Autumn-born dairy calves are currently being reared with the first batch reduced to once-a-day feeding in anticipation of weaning next week. We will continue to collect calves in batches over the next month or so. We did have an outbreak of coccidiosis but thankfully this is now under control.”
Quotable quote: “We have been buying direct off one farm for a number of years now. This works well as the calves all arrive in good health with the knowledge that they should continue to perform.”
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My farming week: Winston Pierce, Coolamadra, Donard, Co Wicklow
My farming week: Dan Cosgrave, Ballylinan, Athy, Co Kildare
I farm: “205ac of lowland with roughly 60 spring-calving suckler cows. We finish all our own calves and also buy 160 autumn-born dairy calves that we finish”.
Farming: “The farm operates on a part-time basis with both my father Ken and myself working off farm within the construction design sector.”
This week: “All stock have been housed and we’ve treated all of them for worms, fluke and lice apart from the in-calf heifers.”
Pneumonia: “Over the past few weeks we have had a few cases of pneumonia in our vaccinated spring suckler calves. We have had nasal swabbing carried out to try and identify the cause.”
Feed and castration: “Spring-calving cows were housed in good condition and will be fed restricted intakes over the next couple of months. Spring-born bulls which did not hit the weight target for bull beef will be castrated over the next few days.”
Christmas kill: “Finishing steers and heifers appear to be performing well and will be weighed over the next couple of weeks. We aim to kill these cattle around the Christmas period and into the new year.”
Rearing dairy calves: “Autumn-born dairy calves are currently being reared with the first batch reduced to once-a-day feeding in anticipation of weaning next week. We will continue to collect calves in batches over the next month or so. We did have an outbreak of coccidiosis but thankfully this is now under control.”
Quotable quote: “We have been buying direct off one farm for a number of years now. This works well as the calves all arrive in good health with the knowledge that they should continue to perform.”
Read more
My farming week: Winston Pierce, Coolamadra, Donard, Co Wicklow
My farming week: Dan Cosgrave, Ballylinan, Athy, Co Kildare
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