Lungworm: I have been speaking to some farmers who are having problems with cattle coughing, despite the animals having received a dose within the past four to six weeks. On a couple of the occasions, the product used had a relatively short period of persistency. Added to this, on one farm, the dosing gun was set for an average calf weight so there is a good chance that a sizeable number of heavier calves were under-dosed.

When dosing, always set the gun, or applicator to the weight of the heaviest animal in the group. You will be using more of the drench, or pour-on, but it will ensure that animals are properly covered. Most wormers will cost €1 to €3 per dose, but considering 1kg of liveweight gain is worth approximately €2.50/kg, it is money well spent to have calves properly wormed.

Weighing cattle, or even just a small number of animals within the group, will give you an accurate indication of liveweight and how much of the wormer to use. Also, changing the wormer regularly will help to avoid worms developing immunity. This means using a combination of white, yellow and clear drenches over the grazing season and from year to year.

Finishing cattle off grass: Cattle that are being targeted for finishing off grass should be starting to put on fat cover now, so keep a close eye over the coming weeks to ensure cattle do not run out of spec. If cattle to be kill next month appear lean, increase meal levels being fed. Grass will provide more than enough protein for the animal, so buy a high-energy ration (UFV 0.95+) with a protein level of 12% to 14%.

Ideally, a simple mix of barley, soya hulls and sugar beet pulp will do the job. You could include some maize meal if you are feeding late-maturing continental animals. Feeding 3kg to 4kg/day should suffice in heifers and dairy-bred steers, with 4kg to 6kg/day enough for continental-type steers. Split the meal into two feeds per day. Autumn grass is lower in energy, so higher meal levels will increase energy intake and help animals hit the correct fat score. It will also help to improve grading and kill-out.

Fertiliser: The closing period for spreading chemical nitrogen on grassland is 15 September, so make sure you get one final dressing on grassland if you have not already done so. Grass growth is holding up well this week, given the warmer temperatures. Applying 20 to 30 units per acre will give 25kg to 35kg DM/ha/day in terms of growth over the coming week, which would meet the grazing demand of one dry suckler cow per acre or two 300kg weanlings per acre.

Breeding vaccines: Replacement heifers to be mated this autumn will be due BVD and Lepto vaccines now. This gives time for the second shot in four weeks’ time, prior to the start of the breeding season. Ideally, you want to have the second shot administered at least a fortnight before breeding so that sufficient antibodies have been built up.