Pre-calving management of the autumn herd:

Autumn calving will be starting in the coming weeks on some farms around the country. It is vital that cows are managed correctly in the runup to calving. It is essential that cows are given dry cow minerals for six to eight weeks before calving. This may be more important in herds where there has been a history of mineral deficiencies such as iodine, copper, cobalt, etc. For autumn-calvers, managing the cow’s body condition score may be most important. There is a tendency to calve down autumn-calvers in much better condition than the spring herd. This is primarily down to diet and grass intake in the dry period. Autumn-cavlers should calve down in a body conditions score (BCS) of 2.5-3. Calving down cows in condition score of 3.5+ can result in a much higher incidence of calving difficultly as these cows will normally have higher levels of fat deposited in the pelvic area. Cows in over-fat condition prior to calving will be more prone to fatty liver disease, or ketosis. During the dry period, BCS should be managed carefully. Over-fleshed cows should be fed a maintenance diet or held tight on grass, while thin cows should be given ad-lib access to grass. Where grass supply is an issue, supplementing with hay or silage outdoors may be beneficial, where conditions allow.

Removing the bull:

Taking the bull out this week will mean that calving should cease around the end of April next year. Have you set a date for removing the bull yet? Look at your calving pattern and try to be a little ruthless if it is prolonged. Try to set a date and peel a week or two off it for next year.

Separating bulls and heifers:

Early spring-born calves are maturing quickly. At this stage, it is paramount that you ensure there is no mixing of early spring born bulls and heifers to avoid heifers proving in-calf. Larger herds will commonly have the herd divided for the breeding season anyway, but for smaller herds, where bull calves are run as full bulls, groups should be divided and stock bull removed from cows with older calves.

Spraying rushes:

As part of the BPS, farmers have to show that land is in a grazeable condition. With dryer weather forecast for this week it may be a good opportunity to control rushes in grassland. Applying herbicide to fresh, green re-growth of rushes will give a better kill. Products such as MCPA or 2,4-D, applied at their recommended rates, are particularly effective against rushes. Roundup is very successful when used through weed lickers but care is needed as it may kill high pasture. Rushes should be left for about four weeks after spraying/licking before being topped. Rushes occur on wetter soils, with lower soil fertility levels – therefore a soil test will provide the basis for essential lime and fertiliser applications.