Lime: Teagasc survey results have shown that one in three farmers have not applied any lime in the last three years, which is a startling figure. With increased N, P and K prices and limitations on their use, we are seeing a gradual fall-off in grass growth compared with five years ago. A survey result like this could be part of the answer, with correct soil pH leading to increased utilisation of the valuable nutrients we apply in both chemical and organic fertilisers.

Lime can be spread any time of the year, but there are some issues that farmers face which make now a better time than most in the calendar year. Some farmers are concerned that spreading lime on grazing ground, where it may stick to grass ingested by cattle, could affect the animals’ stomach pH being affected by the alkaline product. Similar concerns exist about silage preservation if lime remains on the grass leaves. Grazed and closed-off paddocks and silage ground that are trafficable now prove the ideal area in which to spread lime, provided there is a known requirement there for it.

Castrating weanlings: Castration and any other stressors should be completed well before weaning; completing castration or other management tasks in the immediate aftermath of weaning should be avoided. Only a competent individual can complete the castration of calves by law up until they are six months of age. Beyond this age, a veterinary practitioner must complete the castration.

A local anaesthetic should be used in these older calves. In all cases, it is recommended that an anti-inflammatory be used to reduce swelling, though calves should still be regularly observed for abnormal levels of swelling in the days and weeks post-castration. Banding or rubber rings cannot be used after calves are eight days old unless the procedure is carried out by a veterinary practitioner under local anaesthetic.

Fertiliser closing stock: All farmers must complete their fertiliser closing stock with 15 October being the final day for submissions. The fertiliser closing stock should be all fertiliser left on farm over the winter as of midnight 14 September (when the closed period begins). Farmers with no fertiliser left on farm still have to submit a nil amount. All closing stock must be completed on MyAgfood.ie, no paper submissions will be accepted. It is a legal requirement to submit fertiliser closing stock, but it is also of importance to farmer who selected Eco-scheme measure agricultural practice 3 (AP3), limiting chemical fertiliser. Farmers who do not complete a declaration will not have their payment processed until they submit closing stocks.

Finishing cattle at grass: Grass dry matter is still sitting between 12% and 14%, with swards post silage or post drought even lower in some cases. Farmers who are looking to slaughter cattle off grass need to be mindful of this as it will be difficult for finishing cattle to get adequate fat cover on them without concentrates.