This is a subscriber-only article
May is a busy month on livestock farms.
Although attention is turning more to fieldwork, there are plenty of jobs to be completed in terms of cattle management.
While these tasks will vary from farm to farm, outlined are five jobs to consider putting on the to-do list for the month ahead.
1. Fertiliser
May is normally the month when grass growth surges to peak levels. Don’t miss out on this growth potential.
Get fertiliser applied early in the month.
Nitrogen applied now will drive grass growth over the next four to six weeks, setting up the grazing platform for early summer.
There will also be an opportunity to take out surplus grass on grazing ground, boosting silage reserves.
Fodder stocks are low on most farms because of the late spring. Therefore, take every opportunity to harvest as much grass as possible in late May and June.
2. Controlling grassland weeds
Spraying weeds such as docks, thistles and rushes is also a job for early May. Weeds will also see growth rates increasing this month, so spray now to control weeds before they mature and produce seeds.
As weeds mature, these plants are harder to control with chemicals. Rushes may need cutting before spraying to get the most effective kill.
Fertiliser is still expensive. Don’t waste your money applying chemical fertiliser on paddocks with a heavy weed presence, as these plants will compete with grass for nitrogen.
3. Dehorning
Calves born in April are likely to have horn buds starting to show. Make a point of nipping these buds off before they get too strong or fly activity increases.
The earlier buds are removed the better. Use an anesthetic at all times and make sure to cauterise the horn after removing the bud.
4. Breeding preparation
Make sure the bull is getting exercise before going out to cows. Also, supplement with concentrate to build body condition.
Think about which cows will go to which stock bull or start looking into AI sires for semen availability.
Finally, make sure that all vaccines for diseases such as BVD and lepto are up to date before breeding starts.
5. Clean out calving sheds
As cattle go out to grass, clean out calving sheds where straw bedding is used. Don’t put this job off, as bedding will dry out and become much harder to remove. The same goes with slats.
Once cleaned, wash out the pens and leave to dry, then spray with a disinfectant and spread hydrated lime.
Bedding can be used to condition soil if reseeding or stored in the midden to breakdown.
SHARING OPTIONS: