Pressure on housing was reduced greatly in Newford Farm this week, with 49 cows and 50 calves turned out to grass on Wednesday. The cows were grouped in two batches indoors on their calving date and remained in these groups on turnout. They were released to a sheltered paddock and this has remained the focus ahead of this weekend’s forecast dip in temperatures.

Farm manager Matthew Murphy said the groups have settled well, with ground conditions also holding up pretty well. This has been helped by the west of the country missing out on the worst of last week’s heavy rainfall. Significant rain was still received, but Matthew is targeting drier areas with good shelter for grazing at present. Cows have access to high-magnesium buckets as a precaution against grass tetany.

We dehorned this batch mid-week and felt that it was a bit risky turning them out with the weather that is forecast

As is the case on most farms, weather is delaying turnout, which has left the spring rotation planner well behind target. Some lighter covers are being grazed first to try to get the spring rotation back on track. This is also serving to save some of the heavier covers which are located in dry sheltered paddocks so that cows and calves can be returned here if weather and ground conditions deteriorate.

There are two batches of cows out in groups of 25 cows and their calves. Turnout of another batch was delayed until next week as a precaution to this weekend's weather forecast and possible dip in temperature.

Matthew was considering turning another batch of 20 cows and their calves out on Friday but a decision has been taken to delay turnout until after the weekend. “We dehorned this batch mid-week and felt that it was a bit risky turning them out with the weather that is forecast. Hopefully weather will settle after the weekend and we’ll be able to get them turned out quickly.”

Turnout of yearlings

It is also hoped to start turning out yearlings next week. With turnout delayed due to weather, the opportunity has been taken to carry out some fencing repairs where yearlings will be grazed. Straining posts are required in a number of positions to address electric fencing which has become loose and a fencing contractor is on site with a post driver to complete this. There are some quite heavy covers on Tuohy’s and Gort Na hAbhainn land blocks that will benefit from being grazed off to kickstart growth once temperatures recover. Grass growth remains poor and is in single-digit figures.

Calving progress and mastitis

Calving is progressing well, with more than 90 out of 107 cows calved. There continues to be no issues in this regard, with cows calving unassisted in most cases. This includes another set of twins which gave birth last week to two Simmental heifers.

There have, however, been a couple of issues with mastitis, with two freshly calved cows contracting the disease in the last week. The first was quite ill but has responded well to treatment. The second cow continues to receive treatment.

A strong focus remains on hygiene, with lime applied regularly before bedding while calving boxes have all been cleaned and disinfected.

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