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Now is the time to go through your cattle and select which animals are likely to finish off grass either this summer or early autumn.
Heifers, dairy cross and traditional beef breeds are better suited to killing off grass compared to steers and later maturing continental breeds.
Suitable heifers should currently weigh 460kg to 500kg liveweight with steers weighing at least 550kg.
If possible, keep these animals together as a priority grazing group and put them onto good quality grazing.
Protein levels
Protein levels in grass at present will be anywhere from 18% to 25% depending on the sward quality and fertilizer applications. This is more than enough protein to keep animals growing.
Therefore, when you decide to introduce meal, you will only require a high energy finishing ration (UFL 0.95+, CP 13%) or a simple mix of rolled barley, maize meal and soya hulls.
Introduce meal around six to eight weeks prior to the planned kill date. Depending on grass quality, offer heifers 2kg to 3kg/day of meal.
Monitor body condition regularly by handling cattle. Build up to 5kg to 6kg/day in the final two to three before slaughter, depending on condition.
For steers, start off at 3kg to 4kg/day depending on cattle conditions and grass quality and build up to 6kg to 7kg/day. When feeding more than 3kg/day of concentrate to cattle, split into two feeds morning and night.
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