Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

• If you have a silage result, act on it — devise a nutrition strategy for all groups of stock. Silages are variable this year, so feed accordingly. Many silages have very low protein levels.
• Any savings on meal type are welcome in the current climate.
• Excess protein in a diet will result in energy wastage, while a protein deficiency will depress intakes and performance will suffer.
• Discuss the correct dosing protocol for your herd with your vet.
• Ensure that the dose you use is given at the correct rate and that you are targeting the correct parasites.
• Set targets for animal performance once indoors — base this on available forage quality.
• Get any repairs to sheds, equipment, and other facilities done ASAP.

Dairy

• House cows by night to prolong grazing by day.
• Supply quality forage to help utilise grazed grass efficiently.
• Up protein content of the concentrate fed once silage volumes increase.
• Act on any parasite testing results.

Sucklers

• Group dry cows according to body condition at housing, and feed them accordingly.
• Get autumn calves off to the best possible start with sufficient colostrum.
• Provide high-magnesium licks to cows rearing calves.

Young stock

• Supplementation at grass or housing at this stage is necessary to maintain animal performance.

• Compiled by Brian Reidy, an independent ruminant nutritionist at Premier Farm Nutrition.