BDGP

The first significant date for Beef Data and Genomics Programme I (2015-2020) participants is 31 October, when 20% of your reference number of females must be four or five stars on their first genomic proof. To be eligible, these animals must be at least 16 months of age. Recently, the Irish Farmers Journal reported that the Department of Agriculture issued letters to farmers in the first round of BDGP, informing them to purchase replacement heifers if they are not on target to meet scheme’s requirements. Failure to have these animals in your herd on that date will result in a significant penalty to your payment.

Slurry deadline

The last day for spreading slurry and farm yard manure (FYM) is next Wednesday 31 October. Usually the deadline for slurry spreading is 15 October each year, however following a difficult summer due to drought conditions the minister granted an extension to the deadline to allow farmers to capitalise on autumn grass growth for fodder production. There was no extension granted for FYM, so the 31 October deadline remains. Conditions are perfect for spreading at the moment. More often than not, FYM and slurry spreading at this time of the year is burdened by poor ground conditions. Approximately 85% of the economic fertiliser value of slurry is due to its P and K content. There are approximately five units of P and 38 units of K per 1,000 gallons of cattle slurry. Application in autumn has very little effect on P and K utilisation, so most of the slurry’s nutritional value will still be utilised with autumn application. Target fields with low P’s and K’s. In terms of N, the expected value of 1,000 gallons of cattle slurry is six to seven units, double what it is in the summer due to cooler conditions.

Own concentrates

With ration prices rising, many farmers have been enquiring about the option of using home-grown cereals in mixes to save on feed costs. This is an option, but there are also some limitations depending on the cereal used. Barley is high energy, low protein at 1 UFL/kg, 9.7% crude protein (CP) and 2.3% crude fibre (CF). Wheat is also high energy, low protein at 1 UFL/kg, 9.7% CP and 4.1% CF. Oats is moderate energy but high fibre at 0.9 UFL/kg, 9.7% CP and 11.8% CF. Wheat inclusion should be limited to 2-3kg as it is more rapidly digestible than barley or maize and can cause acidosis. High-energy cereals are good, but remember certain groups of cattle, eg weanlings, stores or suckling cows, need high protein diets, often up to 16-20% CP.

Autumn management series

This autumn, the Irish Farmers Journal is launching an Autumn Suckler Management video series covering the topics of managing autumn grass, creep-feeding calves, weighing stock, preparing winter feed budgets and managing forage crops. These videos were shot on Tullamore farm and include advice from members of the Irish Farmers Journal livestock team and discussions with Tullamore farm manager Shaun Diver. Stay tuned to farmersjournal.ie over the coming weeks to follow the series.