There is no substitute for good planning in any business, and farming is no different. Even though it is early August and cattle will hopefully be at grass for another 10 to 12 weeks, the programme farmers are now making preparations for the autumn and winter housing period.

This includes several tasks which have become part and parcel of herd management and are carried out around the same time every year.

The farmers who plan ahead have always fared best in terms of cattle performance during the autumn and winter period

Examples of these tasks include pre-weaning and post-weaning management, and splitting out bull calves to maximise weight gains before housing.

Over the course of the programme, the farmers who plan ahead have always fared best in terms of cattle performance during the autumn and winter period.

These farmers are also better placed to deal with any problems arising from a downturn in weather which forces cattle to be housed early.

Outlined are five key areas of herd management that the programme farms will focus on over the next few weeks.

1. Pneumonia and parasite control

August is the ideal time to start vaccinating calves for pneumonia. If a booster shot is required, it will be administered four weeks later.

This means that a two-shot programme is completed at least two to three weeks ahead of the weaning or housing period, when calves are under severe stress and the risk of a pneumonia outbreak is at its highest.

As calves are being herded at least twice for vaccination, a worm drench will also be applied to reduce gut and lungworm burdens ahead of the weaning period.

This helps reduce the risks of respiratory problems in young animals if they become stressed from housing, weaning or the changeable weather frequently experienced in autumn.

2. Separating bull and heifer calves and introduce creep-feed

Five of the programme farms operate bull beef-finishing systems for spring-born male calves. The key to a profitable bull beef system is getting male calves as heavy as possible at housing.

While every effort is made to ensure cows and calves are on top-quality grazing swards, the feed value in grass starts to tail off from late August. As grass dry matter is declining, cattle are taking in less energy with every bite.

Therefore, to maximise weight gain in bull calves, the programme farms separate bull calves and heifer calves in August.

Once separated, creep-feed will be offered to bull calves at a rate of 2kg/day/head, depending on grass quality

This normally occurs when animals are brought in for dosing. With little sign of breeding activity on the farms at this stage of the summer, re-grouping cows is less of an issue as most animals are settled in-calf to the preferred sire.

Once separated, creep-feed will be offered to bull calves at a rate of 2kg/day/head, depending on grass quality.

This will boost their performance and help get them to a target housing weight of at least 350kg. With an abundance of grass, heifers will remain on a grass-only diet until closer to weaning time.

3. Grass bank for autumn grazing

Grass growth is high and the farms currently have an abundance of grass. However, grazing ground will still receive another fertiliser application in mid- to late August. This will boost grass growth during September and help extend grazing into October.

Grazing rotations should be around 20-22 days in early August. By the end of this month, grazing rotations should be extended to around 25-30 days, which will carry animals through September. By late September, rotation lengths should be increased to at least 30 days.

4. Scan early and fatten barren cows

Through the programme, the farms normally scan cows as early as possible in September. Accurate scanning can be carried out around 35-40 days after breeding. By scanning in early September, the programme farmers have more time and options for selling barren cows. Cows tend to be in good body condition in September.

Late-calving cows that are barren can be isolated from the main herd and offered supplementary concentrates

Barren cows can be weaned early and sold live, or fattened after a short finishing period at grass. Late-calving cows that are barren can be isolated from the main herd and offered supplementary concentrates. This should increase the cow’s body condition as well as boosting calf performance, making it easier to wean by housing and improving the sale value of the cow.

5. Stress free weaning

Taking the stress out of weaning is better for the cattle and the farmer. Carrying out weaning and housing at the same time significantly increases the risk of pneumonia in calves and while it may save on time and handling, it is not recommended.

Forward creep-grazing is a good way to help break the cow and calf bond ahead of weaning

Because of this, the programme farms generally follow a gradual approach to weaning. Animal health issues have been greatly reduced as a result.

Forward creep-grazing is a good way to help break the cow and calf bond ahead of weaning. Setting up creep-feeders for calves will encourage them to graze ahead of cows.

Other farmers have successfully used nose flaps to wean calves. After a few days, cows can be gradually removed in batches for housing. Calves can remain at grass until grass covers are grazed off.

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