Weighing of 2020-born cows and calves took place on Newford Farm, the 100-cow suckler-to-beef herd, in Athenry, Co Galway, on 1 July.

Performance to date has been excellent, with bull calves averaging 219kg liveweight at four months of age. This equates to an average daily gain (ADG) since birth of 1.43kg.

Heifer performance is also positive, with heifers weighing an average of 204kg and achieving an ADG since birth of 1.32kg.

Good yield

Farm manager Iarlaith Collins reports that cows appear to be yielding well this year and outside of being tight on grass for a couple of weeks, they got no real setback once they were turned out to grass in spring.

The performance of 2020 progeny is running slightly ahead of 2019.

Analysis by Michael Fagan shows 2019 progeny were weighed on 14 June 2019, with bulls weighing 173kg liveweight and heifers weighing 170kg.

Taking an average level of performance between weights, the equivalent weight would be in the region of 193kg for bulls on 1 July 2019 and 189kg for heifers.

The average date of birth for 2020-born progeny is slightly earlier than in 2019. 2020-born bull calves have an average date of birth of 25 February compared with 28 February for 2019-born bulls, while heifers were born six days earlier in 2020, with an average birth date of 18 February.

Cow weight and BCS

Cows were also weighed and condition scored on 1 July, with weights used for the BEEP-S scheme. Table 1 details the number of cows by parity, their weight and body condition score.

Iarlaith is particularly happy with the condition of first-calvers, with these animals in a much better position than the corresponding period in 2019.

First-calvers received preferential treatment in spring and this has stood to them, with cows holding their condition better and breeding well.