Newford Farm in Co Galway continues to make good progress in replenishing winter forage supplies. There were 25 acres of surplus paddocks removed from the rotation in recent weeks harvested on Thursday, tedded and baled on Friday.
A percentage of the bales was saved on stronger paddocks which were allowed to bulk up and boost fodder reserves while the remainder was taken from surplus paddocks which developed covers of 2,000kg DM/ha in the last 10 days on the back of growth rates remaining strong.
Growth in the last farm cover completed on Monday 27 August was recorded at an average of 61kg DM/ha over the previous seven days and farm manager Matthew Murphy predicted a similar level of growth over the last week.
Surplus paddocks on the Newford block were removed at a cover of 2,000kg DM/ha plus to allow for quick recovery and inclusion back into the grazing rotation. There were also some stronger paddocks and in total 147 bales were saved over 25 acres.
The focus is on maximising growth and building autumn grass supplies. A bag of CAN is currently being applied as paddocks are grazed or harvested.
Utilisation is currently good, with some heavier covers being grazed to keep the autumn rotation planner on track.
Paddocks are being split to improve utilisation while creep grazing calves ahead of cows is allowing cows to be forced to graze out paddocks without compromising on calf performance.
The farm started creep-feeding the calves in mid-July during drought conditions. This practice worked well in enticing calves to graze forward while creep feeding has been continued at 1kg per head daily. It is simply done by raising the electric fence with two PVC posts.
Calves are also receiving creep in troughs at a rate of about 1kg per head and have become well-accustomed to this practice. It is being carried out simply with two PVC posts used to raise the electric wire.
Steer performance
Steers continue to receive concentrate supplementation at a rate of 5kg per head along with access to top-quality grass. The 61 steers were weighed on 23 August and recorded an average liveweight of 563kg at an average age of 563kg. The average weight at turnout on 19 April was 431kg equating to an average daily gain since turnout of 1.05kg while the average daily gain since birth is 0.95kg.
Steers averaged 560kg on 23 August achieving an average daily gain since turnout of 1.05kg. They are currently being supplemented with 5kg concentrate.
Open day preparations
The 100-cow suckler-to-beef demonstration herd in Co Galway is also putting the final preparations in place for its national open day on Wednesday 5 September.
Farm walks through the herd utilising first-cross Angus and Hereford cows from the dairy herd will take place from 2pm to 6pm with sign-up for the Department of Agriculture approved Knowledge Transfer Scheme national event available from 2pm to 4.30pm.
The farm walk will present a detailed breakdown on the farm’s physical and financial performance including an in-depth view on breeding, health, grassland management and the farm’s finishing programme.
Grass growth is holding strong above 60kg DM/ha with recovery quick in grazed paddocks.
A batch of 30 first-calvers and thinner cows were grouped together a few weeks ago and are being grazed together in a bid to increase body condition score pre-housing.
Newford 2017-born steers.
There will be stands from a number of industry stakeholders while other topics of discussion following the farm walk include a demonstration on selecting cattle for slaughter, adhering to the clean livestock policy for cattle and sheep and maximising animal health by ensuring adequate ventilation in housing. Teagasc advisers will also be on hand to address any fodder concerns farmers may have. The event will be signposted from Athenry.
Newford Farm in Co Galway continues to make good progress in replenishing winter forage supplies. There were 25 acres of surplus paddocks removed from the rotation in recent weeks harvested on Thursday, tedded and baled on Friday.
A percentage of the bales was saved on stronger paddocks which were allowed to bulk up and boost fodder reserves while the remainder was taken from surplus paddocks which developed covers of 2,000kg DM/ha in the last 10 days on the back of growth rates remaining strong.
Growth in the last farm cover completed on Monday 27 August was recorded at an average of 61kg DM/ha over the previous seven days and farm manager Matthew Murphy predicted a similar level of growth over the last week.
Surplus paddocks on the Newford block were removed at a cover of 2,000kg DM/ha plus to allow for quick recovery and inclusion back into the grazing rotation. There were also some stronger paddocks and in total 147 bales were saved over 25 acres.
The focus is on maximising growth and building autumn grass supplies. A bag of CAN is currently being applied as paddocks are grazed or harvested.
Utilisation is currently good, with some heavier covers being grazed to keep the autumn rotation planner on track.
Paddocks are being split to improve utilisation while creep grazing calves ahead of cows is allowing cows to be forced to graze out paddocks without compromising on calf performance.
The farm started creep-feeding the calves in mid-July during drought conditions. This practice worked well in enticing calves to graze forward while creep feeding has been continued at 1kg per head daily. It is simply done by raising the electric fence with two PVC posts.
Calves are also receiving creep in troughs at a rate of about 1kg per head and have become well-accustomed to this practice. It is being carried out simply with two PVC posts used to raise the electric wire.
Steer performance
Steers continue to receive concentrate supplementation at a rate of 5kg per head along with access to top-quality grass. The 61 steers were weighed on 23 August and recorded an average liveweight of 563kg at an average age of 563kg. The average weight at turnout on 19 April was 431kg equating to an average daily gain since turnout of 1.05kg while the average daily gain since birth is 0.95kg.
Steers averaged 560kg on 23 August achieving an average daily gain since turnout of 1.05kg. They are currently being supplemented with 5kg concentrate.
Open day preparations
The 100-cow suckler-to-beef demonstration herd in Co Galway is also putting the final preparations in place for its national open day on Wednesday 5 September.
Farm walks through the herd utilising first-cross Angus and Hereford cows from the dairy herd will take place from 2pm to 6pm with sign-up for the Department of Agriculture approved Knowledge Transfer Scheme national event available from 2pm to 4.30pm.
The farm walk will present a detailed breakdown on the farm’s physical and financial performance including an in-depth view on breeding, health, grassland management and the farm’s finishing programme.
Grass growth is holding strong above 60kg DM/ha with recovery quick in grazed paddocks.
A batch of 30 first-calvers and thinner cows were grouped together a few weeks ago and are being grazed together in a bid to increase body condition score pre-housing.
Newford 2017-born steers.
There will be stands from a number of industry stakeholders while other topics of discussion following the farm walk include a demonstration on selecting cattle for slaughter, adhering to the clean livestock policy for cattle and sheep and maximising animal health by ensuring adequate ventilation in housing. Teagasc advisers will also be on hand to address any fodder concerns farmers may have. The event will be signposted from Athenry.
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