Newford Farm, the 100-cow suckler-to-beef herd located in Athenry, Co Galway, has appointed a new farm manager.

Iarlaith Collins took up the position on Monday and has got straight into the swing of things with baling of silage, weighing of cattle and slurry spreading taking place in recent days. Iarlaith hails from Monivea, a short distance from Athenry. He has extensive experience in suckler and drystock farming, which should bode well for the new role.

It has been a busy week on the farm. A brief break to rainfall allowed 20 acres to be mowed on Monday and baled on Tuesday.

Condition

Iarlaith reports the silage was baled in pretty good condition weather-wise, with good drying on Tuesday morning, but quality failed to hit targets for surplus grass in some paddocks.

This was due to weather delaying cutting by 10 days to two weeks. The delay in cutting also boosted yield, with 155 bales made or an average of 7.75 bales/acre. This ranged from six bales/acre in lighter paddocks to over 10 bales/acre in the heavier paddocks.

Silage ground on the Newford and Gort na hAbhainn blocks received 2,500gals of slurry applied by trailing shoe on Friday, with some grazing ground also receiving slurry.

In total, there was about 65,000gals of slurry applied to 26ac.

There is a similar quantity of slurry remaining in tanks in Newford yard and this will be targeted to silage ground ahead of closing in July and other grazing ground with the trailing show application method allowing the grazing rotation to remain on track.

The inclement weather and dip in temperatures has reduced growth rates. Growth on the Newford block was recorded at 60kg DM/ha by Michael Fagan, Teagasc on Tuesday. Demand on this block is running at 57kg DM/ha with an average cover of 811kg DM/ha and 14 days grazing ahead. It is likely that if growth lifts in the coming week there will be more surplus paddocks to be taken out with a number of paddocks getting strong and verging into covers of 1,400kg DM/ha to 1,600kg DM/ha.

Demand

Demand of 36kg DM/ha is running well behind growth of55kg DM/ha on the Gort Na Habhainn block. The farm cover is lower at 699kg DM/ha but with such a low demand there will be more ground coming out in the coming weeks. Growth on the Tuohy’s block of land at 45kg DM/ha is running behind demand of 50kg DM/ha but this block should remain on track with the grass wedge in an ideal position to keep high-quality grass ahead of stock.

Breeding progress

Breeding activity has slowed significantly, with repeat rates running at a low level. A quick analysis of breeding figures shows 72 cows so far served once, 24 served twice, while four cows have recorded a second repeat service. Breeding is due to finish on 2 July. Cows continue to be tail-painted following service, with regular supervision also continuing.

There was a case of mortality in a calf last week. The calf had previously suffered from a serious case of pneumonia and was struggling to recover. Calves received treatment for lungworm on Friday when weighing also took place. Calves were coughing on movement and veterinary advice was to treat calves. Cows received their annual IBR booster vaccination. Weights will be analysed during the week by Michael Fagan and included in next week’s update.