While there has been some rainfall in Newford Farm in Co Galway in recent weeks, ground conditions remain good with grass utilisation still excellent.

Heavy covers are being split into temporary paddocks and this is also aiding in grazing swards down to 3cm to 4cm.

Suckler cows in particular are doing an excellent job and will remain outdoors while rainfall levels remain low.

Grass dry matter has reduced, but supplementing weanlings with 2kg concentrate daily is lifting dry matter intake and keeping performance well on track.

Weanling bullocks and heifers are grazing separately and have settled well post-weaning. The weaning process couldn’t have been better with stock released back outdoors quickly reducing stress and minimising health risks.

The latest batch of 41 bullocks housed have also settled adjusted well to indoor feeding with concentrate supplementation for the 61 steers now built up to 8kg daily.

This will be fed in two feeds along with top-quality baled silage harvested from surplus paddocks.

Clipping the backs of steers has worked well in previous years in reducing sweating and keeping animals cleaner and has been repeated again this year.