The batch of 25 cows and calves that were rehoused a couple of weeks ago and the batch of 25 cows and their calves that remained housed post-calving were turned outdoors in the last week. These two groups were also joined on the Newford block by the two batches of cows and calves that were grazing on the Tuohy’s and Gort naHabhainn blocks of land. The reason these animals are returning to the Newford block is because the breeding season commences on Monday 23 April.

Grass growth has increased just in time, with growth of 40kg DM/ha recorded in the last week on the Newford block. This lift in growth was vital and a further increase will be needed in the coming weeks to sustain over 100 cows and their calves. Growth also lifted on the Tuohy’s and Gort naHabhainn land blocks to 46kg DM/ha and 29kg DM/ha respectively.

Sixty-one yearling steers have been turned out to grazing in Tuohy’s and the 46 yearling heifers will be turned outdoors to the Gort na Habhainn land block early next week. While growth has lifted, it is still running at 50% of 2017 levels.

Cows which remained outdoors in recent weeks are showing good levels of heat activity and should be picked up for AI in the first cycle.

Final breeding preparations

The last two batches of cows received their booster vaccination for leptospirosis and also received a mineral bolus. Tail paint was applied over the last few weeks and farm manager Matthew Murphy was maintaining a record of cows showing heat to be used as an aid during the breeding season. Matthew says that cows out grazing were showing good signs of heat but those re-housed and remaining indoors post calving were showing very little activity. It will take a few weeks to identify if the delayed turnout date will have any negative influence on this season’s breeding.

The farm will practice 100% AI this year, with an 11-week breeding period planned. Cows will be run in two batches with tail paint, a vasectomised bull and regular heat detection implemented. This worked well over the last two seasons with 90% of the herd calving down this spring over a six-week period.

The Charolais sire Fiston (FSZ) and the Limousin sire Gamin (ZGM) will remain the two primary bulls used on the herd while another Limousin sire Mullary Intrepid (LM 4093) will join the team and be used on some mature cows. The Limousin sire Thowthorpe Dubai (THZ) has delivered good results in recent years and he will be used again on heifers.