The first scan of the cows took place on Friday morning and the results were positive.
The scanner was able to pick up pregnancies form 26 days, so we have a fair idea how busy the first six weeks will be in 2020.
The results were that 76% of the cows bred will calve in the first six weeks of calving 2020.
It’s a positive outcome from 100% AI and while it will mean a very busy first six weeks of calving in spring 2020, we have found in the past it’s better to have a busy period than a dragged-out calving.
Calving early also has other benefits, such as increased weight at weaning, etc.
A full scan will take place before the open day, where the full details will be presented at the breeding stand.
Grass
Grass growth remains strong at 75kg DM/ha/day.
Demand is currently running at 57kg DM/ha/day, so we will probably have a few paddocks to come out next week.
We are finding a few of the paddocks going to stem quickly and some clean-outs are suffering, so a few paddocks may also need topping next week. Average farm cover is at 754kg DM/ha.
Bulls
Bulls continue to be drafted as they come fit.
There is over 10 bulls to be slaughtered next week as they come close to their age limit.
The price has been very disappointing, but our hands are tied, as the losses would be too much to allow them go over age and lose out on the QPS and quality assurance payment.
Sheep
Farm manager Shaun Diver pulled out 51 lambs for the factory on Thursday.
These lambs have received no creep and have been reared on their mothers and grass.
“We are delighted to get that number so early in the season.
"We drafted them from about 40kg to 44kg, depending on flesh and whether they were ewe lambs or ram lambs.
"They killed 20.1kg and came into €105 each.
"Lambs have been weaned and have been moved to after-grass after receiving a worm dose."
Open day
Preparations are in full swing for the Irish Farmers Journal/FBD Tullamore farm open day taking place on Wednesday 24 July from 11am to 6pm.
This week, the farm walk route was planned with a number of technical stands, including:
Farm plans and financial performance.Soil fertility and grassland management.Cattle breeding, fertility and performance.Sheep system, performance and mixed grazing.Animal health plan.There will also be a live sheep handing demo in six different handling units, including a live dipping demo in association with Bimeda.
Tommy Heffernan, the Irish Farmers Journal vet, will be running animal health workshops in the yard area on foot paring, foot bathing and animal handling.
Health and safety, along with other topics, will also be covered.
The first scan of the cows took place on Friday morning and the results were positive.
The scanner was able to pick up pregnancies form 26 days, so we have a fair idea how busy the first six weeks will be in 2020.
The results were that 76% of the cows bred will calve in the first six weeks of calving 2020.
It’s a positive outcome from 100% AI and while it will mean a very busy first six weeks of calving in spring 2020, we have found in the past it’s better to have a busy period than a dragged-out calving.
Calving early also has other benefits, such as increased weight at weaning, etc.
A full scan will take place before the open day, where the full details will be presented at the breeding stand.
Grass
Grass growth remains strong at 75kg DM/ha/day.
Demand is currently running at 57kg DM/ha/day, so we will probably have a few paddocks to come out next week.
We are finding a few of the paddocks going to stem quickly and some clean-outs are suffering, so a few paddocks may also need topping next week. Average farm cover is at 754kg DM/ha.
Bulls
Bulls continue to be drafted as they come fit.
There is over 10 bulls to be slaughtered next week as they come close to their age limit.
The price has been very disappointing, but our hands are tied, as the losses would be too much to allow them go over age and lose out on the QPS and quality assurance payment.
Sheep
Farm manager Shaun Diver pulled out 51 lambs for the factory on Thursday.
These lambs have received no creep and have been reared on their mothers and grass.
“We are delighted to get that number so early in the season.
"We drafted them from about 40kg to 44kg, depending on flesh and whether they were ewe lambs or ram lambs.
"They killed 20.1kg and came into €105 each.
"Lambs have been weaned and have been moved to after-grass after receiving a worm dose."
Open day
Preparations are in full swing for the Irish Farmers Journal/FBD Tullamore farm open day taking place on Wednesday 24 July from 11am to 6pm.
This week, the farm walk route was planned with a number of technical stands, including:
Farm plans and financial performance.Soil fertility and grassland management.Cattle breeding, fertility and performance.Sheep system, performance and mixed grazing.Animal health plan.There will also be a live sheep handing demo in six different handling units, including a live dipping demo in association with Bimeda.
Tommy Heffernan, the Irish Farmers Journal vet, will be running animal health workshops in the yard area on foot paring, foot bathing and animal handling.
Health and safety, along with other topics, will also be covered.
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