So far, 2014 has been an excellent year for animal performance with spring-born weanlings weighing anywhere from 25kg to 40kg, or higher, above last year’s levels. While this is the general trend, the fodder crisis in 2013 also hit breeding performance, resulting in higher numbers of late calvings in May and June 2014. In suckler to weanling production systems, decisions will need to be made in the coming weeks as to whether to sell these late-born weanlings with the main batch or keep them for longer.

When the figures are done, the economics of a suckler to weanling producer retaining weanlings over the winter are questionable if high levels of animal performance are not achieved. On pages 8-9, we see that performance of weanlings on many farms over the winter months is below optimum. If a similar situation occurs with late-born weanlings, the economics of retaining these animals over the winter months and selling next spring comes under threat. Table 1 shows an example of a budget for retaining weanlings with an average liveweight of 250kg, achieving varying levels of animal performance (0.3kg and 0.6kg liveweight per day) and the breakeven price required next spring.

Economics of retaining

The budget is simplistic but nevertheless shows the importance of achieving high levels of animal performance. Where performance is below optimum (0.3kg liveweight/day), the sale price required to break even next spring increases to €2.76/kg. It is important when making the decision to set out a budget using realistic costs for your farm and likely market values for the type of animal you are producing. There are also numerous factors that could influence decisions this autumn.

Quality of silage

On many spring-calving suckler to weanling farms, the focus when saving silage is to go for bulk over quality. Silage intake in light weanlings will be greatly inhibited where there are digestibility concerns and in the absence of higher concentrate supplementation will lead to poor performance. This is especially important in very light weanlings weighing 200kg.

Facilities available

A decision to retain weanlings will obviously be influenced by housing availability. Where there are creep facilities present, calves can be left on cows for longer. This is provided cows are in good body condition, which is likely given the favourable grazing year, and are still producing a worthwhile level of milk. Giving access to suckle twice daily initially and cutting down to once a day feeding before weaning will help to bring animals to a higher liveweight before weaning. Retaining weanlings at too high a stocking rate or in sheds not designed for housing animals with poor ventilation should be avoided as it can lead to below optimum performance and health issues.

Grass supplies

The strong grass growth in recent weeks has seen heavy covers accumulate, presenting a good opportunity to graze light weanlings until well into December. Weanlings will still require supplementation at 1.5kg to 2kg per head depending on grass quality. Where very heavy covers have accumulated, forcing light weanlings to graze down stemmy swards will negatively impact on performance. The focus in the coming weeks should be to graze out these paddocks with cows and calves or older cattle and prioritise higher quality grass and drier, sheltered areas for grazing with weanlings.

Grouping of light weanlings for preferential treatment

Research carried out in Grange shows light weanlings respond better longer term to meal feeding. The response to meal feeding at the outset is similar for light and heavy weanling but as Figure 1 shows, light weanlings fed good-quality silage and meals retained 30kg more carcase weight than heavy weanlings that received comparable feed levels and retained just 16kg carcase weight. This shows the importance of grouping light weanlings for preferential treatment. As well as the higher response, it will also ensure that bullying of light weanlings is minimised and performance is optimised.