Things are slowly starting to return to some sort of normality for the time of year. The shed is empty for the second and hopefully final time this spring. I only started measuring grass two weeks ago, probably six weeks later than a normal year, so I only have one growth figure so far.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the farm had grown 91kgs of dry matter per hectare last week. Farm cover is gradually starting to build, but I really need growth rates to stay high as I have over half the farm closed for silage. My daily demand for grass is 60kgDM/ha and my stocking rate on the grazing platform is just under 5LU/ha. I am spreading 18-6-12 after every grazing to try and push grass a much as possible, also the extra P and K will help to repair and rejuvenate swards that were damaged last back end and earlier this spring.

Silage

My 2017 first-cut silage was taken on 29 May. I would say this years will be two to three weeks later. The last few paddocks were only closed on 7 May, so I will have to take a split cut. The majority will go into the pit with the last few paddocks being allowed to bulk up for longer and will probably be baled and wrapped.

Vaccinations

My calves are overdue their second clostridial vaccination, so I am hoping to get them done this week along with a mineral bolus and their first worm dose. I usually go with a white oral drench this time of year as the calves are still relatively small and it is easy to administer. Also, I have to catch them to administer the bolus so giving the dose at the same is fairly simple.

I started to reuse some oral drenches a couple of years ago because, like many beef farmers, I have been over-using Ivermectin pour-ons and injections and I am conscious of anthelmintic resistance. I’m torn between just giving the dose or taking a worm egg count from a dung sample first. I know I should take the sample and dose according to the results, but it will just come down to whether I manage to get the time to do it before I manage to get some help gathered up to actually dose them!

I’m also trying to keep the pressure on myself to start washing out the slatted sheds. Every year I say "I must get that done early" and every year I’m running at the end of September. The cattle are standing on the outside of the door waiting to get in as I’m washing the last pen!

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