Autumn-calving cows: With autumn calving getting into full swing on some farms, it is time to keep a close eye on cows to avoid losses. Where calving is taking place outdoors, it is advisable to move cows nearing calving to a maternity paddock near the yard – or somewhere close where they can be watched regularly during the day. Mature cows may not be a major concern but first-and second-calving cows should be moved if possible. If intervention is required, they can be easily moved into a yard or pen for handling.

In general, if calving is not progressing after one to two hours after the water bag has burst, then the cow should be handled using gloves to ensure that the cow is dilated and that the calf is in the correct position.

Don’t forget to supplement autumn-calving cows with minerals before calving.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reseed management: Where reseeding was carried out in the past month, it will be ready for a post-emergence spray to control weeds. The best time to get an effective weed kill is around four to eight weeks after reseeding. Leaving weeds unchecked in the new sward will slow down the establishment of new grass plants and reduce tillering of the sward.

Before spraying, walk the reseed and determine what weeds are present and then choose a product to suit that will give the most effective kill. If there is clover in the sward, make sure you choose a clover-safe spray.

Dosing: In advance of weaning dosing history should be looked at to make sure weanlings’ lungs are clear in advance of the stressful weaning period. Faecal samples won’t pick up lungworm infection so it’s important to monitor animals for signs of coughing when herding.

Ivermectin-based products will give an instant kill and will have a three- to four-week residual activity period. White/yellow drenches will not give as severe a kill and may be a better choice where you think there is a bad lungworm infection or in purchased weanlings where you aren’t sure of the dosing history.

Tullamore Farm: Attention has turned to building grass covers on Tullamore this week and cows are going into some heavier covers of grass in a bid to slow down the rotation and build grass supply. The target is to have 30 days grass ahead by 1 September. All calves will receive a booster vaccine for pneumonia next week in advance of weaning.

Farm manager Shaun Diver is encouraging calves to creep graze underneath the fence ahead of cows. This is being facilitated by the placement of temporary plastic horse fencing posts to lift the wire a little higher. Bull calves have started to be offered creep feed in adjacent paddocks at the rate of 1.5kg/head/day. Heifer calves will start on 1kg and move to 1.5kg. This will go up to 2kg once they start eating. The final scan has been arranged for the last week of August in advance of weaning. Culls and empties will be separated and fed meal at grass to get them closer to finish before housing.