Under-16 month bulls continue to be slaughtered as they come close to 16 months. It’s a tough trade with the factory, with them only being able to take a few bulls at a time. Four bulls were slaughtered last week with a further three to be killed this week. Performance has been good with last bulls averaging 1.5kg/day over the intensive feeding period and 1.45kg/day overall since birth.

We might have liked a bit more daily gain on the ad-lib phase but I think it may be a function of calves having a high weight gain right through their lifetime so they are never going to see huge gains at this stage. The rate of 1.45kg/day since birth is above target.

The price, however, is a different story and it lies well below target. Last week’s bulls went out at average of €4.06/kg, €0.26 behind last year’s price. If we compare it on a per-head basis, it's back €125/head on last year’s prices. It’s a big hit to take after putting 1.5t of meal per head into these animals.

Grass

Grass growth remains strong at 65kg DM/ha/day. Farm demand is running at 53kg DM/ha/day, so for now grass supply and demand is well balanced. Three acres of grass that got too strong was taken out last week and baled up. Average farm cover is 709kg DM/ha with 13 days grass currently ahead of stock. Heaviest cover on the farm is 1,450kg DM/ha after a 14-day regrowth. Calves have started to graze ahead of cows under fences. The second phase of the first-cut silage is being picked up today (Wednesday) and is heading for the pit. Farm manager Shaun Diver has found bales to be labour intensive and time consuming in both summer and winter so has opted to head more grass for pits and just bale up paddocks in bales for 2019.

Open day

The farm is busy preparing for its national open day on Wednesday 24 July. The farm walk route has been chosen and live demos also selected for each technical stand. Sheds are being cleaned out next week which will be followed by power washing the sheds and yard area. The open day will run from 11am-6pm and will be a Knowledge Transfer-approved event. The event is free and all are welcome.