Feeding weanlings: Light store cattle and weanlings tend to have higher weight gain during the first half of the winter housing period, partly due to be being younger and more feed efficient. Therefore, front-loading concentrates during this period increases weight gain compared with a flat-rate feeding period.

If you take a 300kg calf housed on 1 November with a target turnout date of 1 April, giving a 180-day winter feeding period, feeding a flat rate of 2kg/day of concentrate will lead to a total of 360kg being fed over winter. Front-loading concentrates for the first 90 days at 3kg/day then cutting back to 1kg/day for the next 90 days will still see 360kg of ration used. The higher feed rate in the first half of winter will support higher weight gain. The lower feed rate will help prepare cattle for grazing, as they are less likely to go to grass overfat. It will also help to adjust the animal’s stomach to a more forage-based diet before heading back to grass.

Vaccinations: Speaking to farmers at our mart events, there is still a lot of confusion around best practice in vaccination. Storing vaccines correctly and using them within the recommended time frame is very important, especially with live vaccine. For bought-in weanlings, an intranasal vaccine will work quicker. This will give three months’ cover and you can go in with a dead vaccine at that point to stretch out cover. Ideally weanlings will be vaccinated before any challenge or stress takes place. In an autumn-calving herd, where there have been pneumonia issues in the past, young calves should also be vaccinated.

Vaccination won’t cure all the problems if there are stocking rate, housing or ventilation issues. Make sure there are adequate inlet and outlet areas. Taking off sheets can be a quick fix and help air flow. Make sure there are no low-lying draughts that could increase the chill effect on young calves. Talk to your vet about the specific advice for your farm.

Irish Farmers Journal Mart Events: The Irish Farmers Journal in association with FBD insurance is holding beef and sheep mart demo events around the country for the next few weeks. The next demos take place in Balla Mart tonight (Thursday 14 November); Cootehill Mart, Co Cavan, on Monday 18 November; and Roscommon Mart on Wednesday 20 November. All events start at 7pm. The theme of the events is Health, Housing Breeding and Feeding - Getting it Right this Winter. Topics will include feeding cattle for growth, dosing plans for cattle and sheep, tips on farmer schemes and making sure drystock farmers maximise their payments. A livestock demo will also take place at each of the venues. The Irish Farmers Journal is providing free health checks in association with Croí for farmers at each venue from 5pm to 7pm. Attendance is free and everybody is welcome.