The next 16 weeks is the peak performance period on livestock farms. Your level of management will have a major bearing on the profitability achieved. 60% of annual grass growth will occur during this short window and 75% of total gain at grass will be achieved. This article outlines some of the key health areas farmers need to focus on over the coming weeks to ensure the herds is in pole position to achieve maximum performance and deliver a high level of output.

1. Don't lose focus on calving

One of the biggest problems with March calving cows is that farmers begin to lose focus on calving. In January and February, the focus is on the yard and the majority of your time is spent in the sheds. Therefore, the level of supervision at calving is high.

However, as March progresses, calving starts to slip down the priority list. This is despite Department of Agriculture figures showing birth registrations to peak in March. In many cases, the lure of getting your backside into a tractor seat and heading off spreading fertilizer is simply too great and takes priority over supervising the calving pens. It is essential that you continue to keep the routine that you developed in January and February.

Checking the calving pens first thing in the morning and regularly during the day should remain top priority — don’t be tempted to put on the fertilizer spreader first.

There is nothing worse than having done a good day’s work out on the land to come back into the yard and find a cow down with a dead calf simply because you weren’t there to assist. Yes, I am speaking from personal experience.

It is important that you continue with the basics. Don’t get sloppy when it comes to bedding calving pens or ensuring calves receive adequate levels of colostrum.

2. Don't forget about cows on the grass

There is no better sight than a cow and her newborn calf heading out to grass. Similarly, there is nothing worse than coming back to the field and finding one of the team lying dead. In relation to the cow, it is essential that you provide some form of magnesium supplementation.

My personal preference would be to feed 1kg to 2kg of a hi-mag nut to cows, especially if she is grazing high quality reseeded swards.

Alternatively, you could feed 1kg of a standard beef ration with 30g of magnesium mixed in. There is no point in just feeding a standard beef mix as it contains no additional magnesium.

The discipline of feeding a small amount of meal every day will also ensure a high level of stockmanship and ensure any health issues with regards to either the cow or

the calf are picked up quickly. Scour and pneumonia are the two key health issues to watch out for in the calf.

3. Have a plan in place at turnout

Turnout is a high stress period for all types of stock. Not only is there a major change in the diet but also environmental conditions can change significantly. While in the shed, conditions are relatively constant. However, in early spring, there can be significant swings in weather conditions over a period of 24 hours — from dry warm weather to wet cold weather.

These sudden changes can put severe pressure on animals that have been recently turned out to grass.

There are a number of steps you can take to reduce the risk:

*Always turn stock out to grass in the morning to ensure that they have had time to settle down prior to temperatures falling in the evening.

* Never turnout to grass on a cold wet day.

* Never turnout stock into fieldwhere there is machinery sitting along the headlands.

* Never turn stock out into a field at the top of a hill — the extra momentum gained going down the hill can result in injuries.

When out at grass, stock should be checked at least three times per day for the first week.

Pneumonia is the biggest threat so look out for the early signs — dull, panting, and/or empty. Early treatment is key to ensuring a full recovery; so don’t be tempted to delay treatment until the evening or the following morning.

Careful supervision should also be given during periods of unsettled weather.

4. Vaccinate against clostridial diseases

I am amazed at the number of calls I receive each spring from farmers who have lost stock due to blackleg or some form of clostridial disease.

It is certainly becoming a bigger problem even on farms where there was no previous history. Just €2 will get you full cover against 10 different types of clostridial diseases. The two products on the market are Covexin 10 or Tribovax 10. Irrespective of the product you use, full immunity requires a two shot programme with a booster shot administered four weeks after the primary shot.

5. Give your stock bull the NCT

It is essential that you give the stock bull the annual NCT well in advance of the start of the breeding season. Early March is the time to find out if you have problems,

not in May or even worse in mid-June when cows start to come back around. If feet need pairing, this should be carried out over the next two weeks in order to make sure he has made a full recovery prior to going out with cows.

Remember, 50% to 60% of the semen used during the breeding season will be produced six or eight weeks before the bull goes out with the cow.

After you have given him the NCT, get him out onto good quality grass for at least six weeks before going into the cows.

6. Buying in stores

If you are buying in store cattle, don’t turn them out to grass right away, especially if you are bringing them home from an evening sale. You should turn them into a well bedded shed with access to fresh water.

They can then go out to grass the following day. Remember, if blackleg is a problem, administer the first shot right away with a further booster shot administered four weeks later.

7. Monitor cow condition score

You need to keep a close eye on the Body Condition Score (BCS) of the young cows in the herd. Ideally, you want the spring calving herd to be at a BCS of two when going to the bull. Most mature cows in the herd should achieve this level of condition quiet easily.

However, young cows can fall below this level, especially if calved down at 24 months. Where possible, try to graze these cows separately from the main herd and offer them good quality grass for the next six to eight weeks. If grass supplies are tight or turnout is delayed, they should be fed 1kg to 2kg of meal.

8. BVD vaccination

If embarking on a BVD vaccination programme for the first time, you need to administer the first shot in early March with a booster shot administered four weeks

later. The booster shot should be administered four weeks before the start of the breeding season. Where the main herd was vaccinated in previous years, only a booster shot is required.

Remember to include replacement heifers in any vaccination programme with two shots administered in year one. If vaccinating for Lepto this should be carried out one month before cows go out to grass.

9. Dosing strategy

Always record the date when you turn stock out to grass. Your summer dosing strategy should be based on this date.

Where using an Ivomec, Cydectin 1% or one of the Ivermectin generic products treatment should be administered at three, eight and 13 weeks after turnout.

Dectomax probably offers one of the most flexible approaches in that season long protection can be gain from one treatment at turnout followed by a further treatment

eight weeks later.

Cydectin 10% LA can also be adminstered at turnout and will provide protection against the main stomach and lungworm for four months.

However, it has to be administered into the ear which can prove difficult. Irrespective of what product you use, you should plan and record your dosing strategy at the

start of the grazing season.

10. Buy replacement stock bull early

If you are planning on buying a new stock bull to run with the spring calving herd, you need to be taking action around now.

Ideally, you want to have him on the farm for at least six weeks before he will be called into action. In most cases, young stock bulls will have to be gradually taken down from a high concentrate diet and slowly moved onto a 100% grass based diet.

Remember, a young stock bull should not be expected to serve more than 15 or 20 cows in his first year. Therefore, on well managed farms, the replacement stock bull will be purchased a year in advance of taking over to reins.