Grass supplies on the programme farms are estimated to be around 10 days ahead.

While there has been some re-growth on paddocks that have been closed, the main emphasis is on resisting the temptation to go back into this closed up ground for another grazing.

While this would shorten the winter by providing another two to three weeks of grazing, the saved grass will be far more beneficial if grazed in February/March time by weanlings.

Provision has been made on the farms for winter grazing of sheep by keeping them grazing in rotation, rather than opening the field gates and allowing them to roam over the whole farm. This practice will benefit sheep as well as cattle, by providing good grass covers for ewes post lambing.

Heavier cattle and cows have been housed and some lighter cattle remain at grass. Silage pits are now open as there are sufficient numbers of cattle housed to justify using the clamp, as opposed to baled silage.

Silage samples have been taken and programme adviser Francis Breen will be working closely with the farms to ensure that all cattle groups are eating a balanced diet over the winter.

Regular weighing of finishing cattle is being carried out on the farms that have their own weighbridge. Cattle are being weighed on a 21 to 30-day interval to monitor liveweight gains.

As the feeding levels are increased to finishing cattle, it is important to monitor the level of daily carcase gain. This is to ensure that cattle are gaining enough weight to cover their daily feeding costs. There is little point in holding these cattle once they reach the required finish/carcase spec, or once their liveweight gain value is less than the daily feed costs. For example, a 680kg steer, eating 8kg concentrates (£220/t) and 15kg of silage (£25/t), will have a daily feed cost of £2.14/head.

At a daily gain of 0.9kg/day and a kill-out of 55%, the animal will be gaining 0.5kg of carcase per day. At a U3 beef price of £3.78 (including in-spec bonus), the animal is generating a daily income of £1.89/head.

Continuing to feed these cattle in the hope of a higher beef price is a false economy, as they will be laying down fat rather than muscle. As these cattle get older, their daily liveweight gain will also fall off.