Closing up paddocks: Now is the time to earmark paddocks for grazing in early spring. A good rule of thumb is to graze wetter paddocks at the start of the final grazing rotation and leave drier paddocks towards the latter half. This will result in dry paddocks having a medium cover of grass (700-800kg DM/ha) come next February/early March, which will be easier to graze than heavy covers. By the time these paddocks have been grazed off, there should be more stock turned out and drier grazing conditions to graze wetter paddocks, which will have a heavy cover of grass (1,400kg DM/ha or greater) by late March/early April. Try to pick paddocks close to the yard, with good shelter, for grazing mid-way through the final rotation. This way it will be possible to house by night, if needed, with ease.

Nutrient application: A reminder that the closed period for application of slurry is fast approaching, with 30 September being the final date of application. Farmyard manure can be spread up until 31 October. The “forgotten fertiliser” as it is often known, lime, can be spread at any time and with ample rainfall to wash it into soils, it may be worthwhile to get some applied to ground that is known to be low in pH.

Ration composition: Ration is at a relatively good price with regard to beef and weanling prices, but it still important to shop around – not only for the best price, but also for the best-quality feed. Cheap ration can be cheap for a reason. Look for the inclusion rates of the cereals, etc, in the ration. High energy sources like maize and barley should make up the bulk of the feed, with fibre sources such as beet pulp and soya hulls also in the mix.

Digestible protein sources (eg, soybean meal, rapeseed, peas or beans) and added minerals, vitamins are also desirable. When purchasing ration from merchants, it’s also important to ask if native grains are included. While they may not be able to answer, the more this is asked, the more onus there will be on merchants to use native grains.

Mart events: The Irish Farmers Journal has partnered with Teagasc, Progressive Genetics, Munster Bovine and Dovea Genetics for a series of 15 autumn beef events, taking place around the country over the next two months. A number of topics will be covered on each night, including winter nutrition and feeding weanlings for growth, housing management and keeping cattle healthy this winter, as well as what AI bulls to use to breed quality weanlings and replacements. Plus an update on markets and the direction of the CAP negotiations.

Several events will take place this week, one in Mayo-Sligo Mart, Ballina, Co Mayo, on Thursday 24 September at 7pm; with another event taking place in Aurivo Mart, Mohill, Co Leitrim, on the same night at 8pm. On Friday 25 September, Macroom Mart will host an event at 7pm, while Ballymote and Corrin Mart will hosts events on Wednesday 30 September at 7pm and 8pm respectively.