Castration: With a lot of questions being asked about the future viability of bull beef systems and processor requirements changing, there have been some questions from farmers over the last few weeks on castration. For farmers operating a spring-calving steer-based system, now is the time to think about castration in male calves.

Where castration is to be carried out on farm without an anaesthetic, it needs to be completed before the animal reaches six months of age.

Vets are recommending the use of a painkiller for a procedure like this. It will help reduce pain and stress.

If you are planning to castrate male animals in the next couple of weeks, one of the first steps is to ensure the animals have received a clostridial vaccine, especially if banding is taking place. Make sure the vaccine covers tetanus.

The primary course and booster vaccine should be given four to six weeks apart.

If using a burdizzo, it is advisable to crush the spermatic cord twice, one below the other, for 10 seconds each time.

Completing this job well in advance of weaning will decrease the amount of stress put on the animal at the same time.

Monitor animals after castration for signs of swelling and watch for animals lying on their own and not grazing.

Having good handling facilities is vital for this job and having good help will also reduce the chances of getting injured.

Switching from bulls to steers is a major decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Cow numbers will more than likely have to drop to facilitate grazing of steers during the second grazing season.

Further investment in housing may also be required for continental steers for the second winter.

Building grass covers: Over the past two months, grassland management will have been focused on managing grass quality and taking out heavy covers as silage.

From now on, the focus should be shifting towards building grass covers to extend grazing into the autumn.

Grazing rotations should be starting to increase by one to one-and-a-half days per week from now on.

Therefore, if your rotation length is currently 16-18 days, by the end of August it should be 22-24 days. Applying 25 to 30 units of nitrogen will keep grass growth ahead of cattle over the next month and will help to build covers in the current favourable growing conditions.

As silage comes back in for grazing, demand reduces and you can increase grazing rotations quickly.

Rushes: As part of the Basic Payment Scheme, farmers have to show their land is in a grazeable condition. This will mean controlling rushes in heavily infested areas of grassland.

Applying herbicide to fresh green re-growth will achieve a better kill. MCPA is an effective treatment for rushes.

Take care to use the recommended rates and make sure no heavy rain is forecast after spraying.

Glyphosate can be used when applied via a weed licker but care is needed as it could potentially kill some grass if applied incorrectly.

Rushes should be left for about four weeks after spraying/licking before being topped. Rushes will occur in areas which have poor drainage and low soil fertility.