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While housing time is anywhere from six to 10 weeks away depending on land type, now is a good time to start carrying out all essential non-livestock jobs on farm.
As many farmers finish up second-cut silage, there should be more time to complete such tasks over the coming weeks, well in advance of the housing period.
Outlined are five jobs to carry out as early as possible over the next month.
1. Slurry
This weekend is mid-August, meaning there are just over eight weeks before the slurry ban comes into force for the winter.
When it comes to slurry spreading, always take any windows of opportunity as they come during the autumn.
Missing these windows and delaying slurry spreading until mid-October creates a multitude of problems for farmers, especially when the weather turns wet.
Ground conditions have improved over the past week and with second-cut silage finishing up around the country, farmers should be looking to start emptying all remaining slurry from storage tanks.
As silage ground joins the grazing rotation, it will increase the grazing area and extend the rotation length. This should allow farmers to target a few paddocks with slurry post-grazing.
Ideally, all slurry would be spread in one window. But where that is not possible, taking a little and often approach, as ground conditions permit, is an option that should be fully considered.
Don’t postpone slurry spreading until October if it can go out earlier. Having tanks emptied by late September means your farm is prepared for winter housing, should that be earlier or later than planned.
Finally, when working with slurry, always think about safety first from mixing to spreading.
2. Wash cattle sheds
If cattle housing has not been washed down yet, then make this a job to complete in the coming weeks.
Washing slats, walls and timbers not only improves hygiene, it helps to reduce problems with external parasites such as lice. Once sheds are clean, allow to air dry and spread hydrated lime on slats and walls.
3. Shed ventilation
Fresh air is nature’s antibiotic. When it comes to cattle housing, think back on previous winters and how many times you had problems with pneumonia, both minor and severe. Checking the farm medicine book will give a good indication of such problems.
Check the ventilation in sheds now and alter the airflow as required. A simple way to check the airflow is a smoke bomb test.
Alternatively, get some straw and set it alight in the corners and back of cattle pens where there is less airflow. Keep a bucket of water handy to extinguish the flames.
Regardless of which method used, smoke should move upwards and away from cattle pens, exiting through outlets in the roof.
In a shed with good airflow, the smoke should be cleared within five minutes. If the smoke is not dispersing and gathers in dead spots, then airflow needs to be improved before cattle are housed.
If no action is taken, then cattle are likely to experience further disease and respiratory problems this winter.
4. Repair and alter feed barriers
Carry out any repairs or alterations to feed barriers and dividing gates in cattle sheds before housing time. Include alterations to water troughs in this job also.
5. Internal and external lights
When working through the winter, there is a need for good lights in sheds. Make sure all lights are working. Where visibility is poor, installing extra lights is recommended.
If replacing lights, opt for LEDs as they are more energy efficient and give better illumination. Think about lighting in the yard, especially for farmers who work off-farm.
As feeding will occur at night, good lighting around the silage pit is essential should you need to remove the cover.
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