The title of this year’s Irish Farmers Journal mart demo series is Health, housing, breeding and feeding – getting it right this winter. With housing taking place on many farms over the last few weeks this month’s mart demo series aims to update farmers with key points around winter management and making sure that all targets are met with stock on farms over the next few months

Health and housing

Health management over the next few months is critical for stock perform to their potential. Parasites like worms, fluke and lice can all create problems if not managed correctly. Journal vet Tommy Heffernan will outline best practice when it come to dosing sheep and cattle this winter. He will also look at other common diseases which occur on farms during winter, examining how to treat them and more importantly how to prevent them. Tommy will also outline some tips on making sure housing and ventilation is up to standard.

Animal feeding

How much meal should I be feeding my weanlings? What effect will silage quality have on weight gains? What condition should my spring calving suckler cows be in? How much silage will I need this winter? What should I look for in my ration? What should I be paying for my ration?

Getting feeding right is critical to making sure weanlings thrive and gain weight over the winter months. Matthew Halpin will have all the answers to the above questions and much more. Darren Carty will outline the feed requirements for in-lamb ewes, including recommended ingredients for rations.

Breeding

With breeding just around the corner for autumn calving herds, we will take a look at some top tips for getting breeding right over the next few weeks and months. Body condition score is key to getting cows back in calf and we will go through the management of cows that need special attention. A livestock demo will take place at each mart event where cows and calves from AI progeny will be on display.

Farmer health screening

The Irish Farmers Journal is offering farmers the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked, receive exercise and lifestyle advice, a completed personal record card and educational materials, a referral to GP where necessary and follow-up support with identified high-risk individuals where necessary. Nurses from Croí will be available to carry out the consultations from 5-7pm at each event.

Schedule

Topics Covered include:

  • Dosing plan for cattle and sheep this winter – Tommy Heffernan, Journal vet.
  • Feeding for growth in cattle and sheep – Matthew Halpin, livestock specialist, Irish Farmers Journal
  • Livestock breeding demo and budget – Adam Woods, beef editor, Irish Farmers Journal.
  • Feeding the in lamb ewe this winter – Darren Carty, sheep editor, Irish Farmers Journal.
  • Agricultural schemes and programmes (BEAM, BEEP, BDGP, BPS, ANC, GLAS) advice.
  • Health Screening.
  • Attendance is free and everybody is welcome.

    For enquiries contact the Irish Farmers Journal on 01 419-9500.