Analysis of yearling heifers and steers weighed on 4 January shows steers averaging 374kg liveweight while heifers averaged 352kg at Newford Farm.

The data collated and analysed by Teagasc equates to steers gaining 0.4kg since housing (average housing date of 10 November) while heifers have performed slightly better, gaining 0.46kg daily.

Comparing the data to 2016, the daily liveweight performance is about 0.2kg lower but the liveweight of animals is similar with steers 2kg heavier (ADG from 28 October to 4 January of 0.65kg) on 4 January 2017 while heifers were 8kg heavier (ADG of 0.64kg).

Management

Management of the 106 yearlings is the same with animals offered ad lib silage of surplus paddocks with a dry matter digestibility (DMD) of about 74%, along with 2kg concentrates.

Farm manager Matthew Murphy comments that the 2017-born animals were housed in very good condition and have started to stretch out and develop a good frame in recent weeks.

Performance will continue to be monitored with a view to possibly cutting back concentrate supplementation to 1kg in advance of turnout.

Calving preparations

Matthew has also one eye on calving which is due to commence on 6 February.

The health programme and isolation of sick animals kicked into place for two cows which aborted, one in mid-December and one at the start of January.

The abortion which occurred in mid-December is thought to have been caused by a hurt to one of the cows with laboratory diagnosis of the foetus showing up no infectious agents.

The cow in question was isolated immediately and blood samples were also taken and sent for analysis. The cow will remain isolated as a precaution until a result is received.

The second cow that aborted was also isolated immediately with the foetus and foetal membranes submitted for laboratory analysis. Blood samples were also taken and submitted.

Some 99 cows which are due to calve from 1 February to 17 March received their scour vaccination on 8 January.

The remaining nine cows that are due to calve after this date will be vaccinated in mid-February.

Cows continue to be monitored on body condition score and the pen of cows that were receiving 2kg soya hulls (below condition score 2.5) to regain condition will be scored in the coming days.

There were seven cows with a very poor condition score (averaging around BCS 2) and these cows will be reduced from 3kg to 2kg soya hulls supplementation.

Attention is also turning to getting sheds ready for calving by disinfecting again before cows on the point of calving are moved into these.

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