Oliver McKenna, Eskra, Co Tyrone
Oliver has made steady progress during the programme. Cows have good fertility (calving index of 365 days) and milk, resulting in the herd having the second-highest weaning percentage (46.6%) within the programme farms.
In 2018, bulls averaged 373kg deadweight at an average of 15.6 months and U-3- conformation. Oliver is targeting a 380kg carcase and reducing age of slaughter, with the 2018 spring-born bull calves on target to achieve this in 2019.
Average 200-day weight gain for bull calves increased from 1.2kg/day in 2017 to 1.28kg/day in 2018.
Ultimately, tight fodder supplies in 2018 resulted in significant purchases of maize gluten and silage, which reduced gross margin per hectare (GM/ha).
If Oliver can ensure to make the best use of grazed grass and conserve any surplus for the winter, a GM in excess of £1,000/ha is realistic.
Declan Rafferty & Aidan Quinn, Pomeroy Co Tyrone
Bull beef performance improved during 2018. Average carcase weights increased from 340kg to 347kg at 14.5 months of age. Carcase conformation was typically R = 3-.
In 2019, bulls are on track to further increase carcase weight due to improved performance pre- and post-weaning plus a change in management last autumn.
The farm is now in a position to sell surplus heifers as in-calf animals instead of finishing them.
By selling in-calf heifers at 18 to 20 months old at £1,100 to £1,300 rather than finishing them at 21 to 22 months, this will increase GM/ha.
Mortality reduced from 14 to nine animals in 2018, but this is still too high and is constantly being addressed.
Animal health plans are continually being reviewed and buildings are being altered to improve ventilation and air flow.
Calving index for the herd in 2018 was 375 days, up slightly from the previous year.
Paul Jamison, Dromore, Co Down
Paul had a calving period to forget last year due to substantial losses caused by mycotoxins in silage.
In addition, a new Simmental bull purchased in 2018 had fertility issues. As a result, the calving spread in 2019 will not be as compact as planned.
Later-born calves will be less efficient in a bull beef system, as increased levels of concentrate feeding will be required due to a longer housing period.
A key focus for 2019 will be to tighten the breeding season.
Bulls averaged 363kg at an average of 15.7 months and U- 2= conformation.
As the bulls are basically purebred Limousin, it is difficult to get male cattle to the correct fat class by 16 months.
New genetics using earlier-maturing breeds are being introduced to address this.
Daily liveweight gain for bull calves averaged 1.12kg/day last year to weaning at 200 days.
Compact calving in March/April and reduced mortality can deliver a potential gross margin of £1,100 within the next few years.
Mark Lewis, Portadown, Co Armagh
Bulls averaged 389kg at 15.3 months and U= 3- conformation. Weight gain in bull calves born in 2018 averaged 1.11kg/day from birth to weaning at 200 days.
This is low for a bull beef system. By increasing 200-day weights, there are big savings to be made from a shorter intensive finishing period.
Cow type is changing to improve maternal traits, but this takes time to impact on GM/ha.
Calving index was extended to 406 days due to the fact that the autumn cows moved to the spring herd.
Some of these cows were productive animals that were too good to cull and replace with a spring-calving heifer. Therefore, this is a once-off in terms of calving index.
However, this did have a detrimental effect on GM/ha, as the value of having no autumn calves at the year-end decreased closing stock valuations.
Despite this, gross margin still increased by £108/ha.
Jonathan Blair, Ballykelly, Co Derry
Herd output is still below optimum as the herd continues to build cow numbers.
Last year, 65 calves were born on farm, which is the highest number to date.
Calf weaning percentage also increased significantly by 7% from 37.89% to 44.29% in 2018, simply by addressing underlying health issues on farm.
These calves are currently one month ahead of the 2017 calves in terms of liveweight.
Steers were slaughtered at 24 months of age, but this is decreasing as weight gains from grass improve and a greater Angus influence replaces Limousin genetics.
The goal for the herd is to kill more bulls, similar to those slaughtered in 2018, at 375kg carcase weight by 15.3 months and U-3- conformation.
With 2018-born bull calves averaging 1.3kg/day to weaning at 200 days, there is every chance these bulls will realise similar weights at less than 15 months old this spring.
Dates for diary
Preparing for calving demos:
Wednesday 27 February – Camlough Mart.Monday 3 March – Enniskillen Mart.Thursday 7 March – Swatragh Mart. Read more
BETTER farm NI: big increases in meal and fertiliser costs
Tullamore Farm: cranking up calving
Oliver McKenna, Eskra, Co Tyrone
Oliver has made steady progress during the programme. Cows have good fertility (calving index of 365 days) and milk, resulting in the herd having the second-highest weaning percentage (46.6%) within the programme farms.
In 2018, bulls averaged 373kg deadweight at an average of 15.6 months and U-3- conformation. Oliver is targeting a 380kg carcase and reducing age of slaughter, with the 2018 spring-born bull calves on target to achieve this in 2019.
Average 200-day weight gain for bull calves increased from 1.2kg/day in 2017 to 1.28kg/day in 2018.
Ultimately, tight fodder supplies in 2018 resulted in significant purchases of maize gluten and silage, which reduced gross margin per hectare (GM/ha).
If Oliver can ensure to make the best use of grazed grass and conserve any surplus for the winter, a GM in excess of £1,000/ha is realistic.
Declan Rafferty & Aidan Quinn, Pomeroy Co Tyrone
Bull beef performance improved during 2018. Average carcase weights increased from 340kg to 347kg at 14.5 months of age. Carcase conformation was typically R = 3-.
In 2019, bulls are on track to further increase carcase weight due to improved performance pre- and post-weaning plus a change in management last autumn.
The farm is now in a position to sell surplus heifers as in-calf animals instead of finishing them.
By selling in-calf heifers at 18 to 20 months old at £1,100 to £1,300 rather than finishing them at 21 to 22 months, this will increase GM/ha.
Mortality reduced from 14 to nine animals in 2018, but this is still too high and is constantly being addressed.
Animal health plans are continually being reviewed and buildings are being altered to improve ventilation and air flow.
Calving index for the herd in 2018 was 375 days, up slightly from the previous year.
Paul Jamison, Dromore, Co Down
Paul had a calving period to forget last year due to substantial losses caused by mycotoxins in silage.
In addition, a new Simmental bull purchased in 2018 had fertility issues. As a result, the calving spread in 2019 will not be as compact as planned.
Later-born calves will be less efficient in a bull beef system, as increased levels of concentrate feeding will be required due to a longer housing period.
A key focus for 2019 will be to tighten the breeding season.
Bulls averaged 363kg at an average of 15.7 months and U- 2= conformation.
As the bulls are basically purebred Limousin, it is difficult to get male cattle to the correct fat class by 16 months.
New genetics using earlier-maturing breeds are being introduced to address this.
Daily liveweight gain for bull calves averaged 1.12kg/day last year to weaning at 200 days.
Compact calving in March/April and reduced mortality can deliver a potential gross margin of £1,100 within the next few years.
Mark Lewis, Portadown, Co Armagh
Bulls averaged 389kg at 15.3 months and U= 3- conformation. Weight gain in bull calves born in 2018 averaged 1.11kg/day from birth to weaning at 200 days.
This is low for a bull beef system. By increasing 200-day weights, there are big savings to be made from a shorter intensive finishing period.
Cow type is changing to improve maternal traits, but this takes time to impact on GM/ha.
Calving index was extended to 406 days due to the fact that the autumn cows moved to the spring herd.
Some of these cows were productive animals that were too good to cull and replace with a spring-calving heifer. Therefore, this is a once-off in terms of calving index.
However, this did have a detrimental effect on GM/ha, as the value of having no autumn calves at the year-end decreased closing stock valuations.
Despite this, gross margin still increased by £108/ha.
Jonathan Blair, Ballykelly, Co Derry
Herd output is still below optimum as the herd continues to build cow numbers.
Last year, 65 calves were born on farm, which is the highest number to date.
Calf weaning percentage also increased significantly by 7% from 37.89% to 44.29% in 2018, simply by addressing underlying health issues on farm.
These calves are currently one month ahead of the 2017 calves in terms of liveweight.
Steers were slaughtered at 24 months of age, but this is decreasing as weight gains from grass improve and a greater Angus influence replaces Limousin genetics.
The goal for the herd is to kill more bulls, similar to those slaughtered in 2018, at 375kg carcase weight by 15.3 months and U-3- conformation.
With 2018-born bull calves averaging 1.3kg/day to weaning at 200 days, there is every chance these bulls will realise similar weights at less than 15 months old this spring.
Dates for diary
Preparing for calving demos:
Wednesday 27 February – Camlough Mart.Monday 3 March – Enniskillen Mart.Thursday 7 March – Swatragh Mart. Read more
BETTER farm NI: big increases in meal and fertiliser costs
Tullamore Farm: cranking up calving
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