Teagasc advice: Avoiding poaching is high on October checklist
Heavier stock should be housed for periods if necessary. They can be released later if weather improves.
At all costs, avoid severe poaching.
Excessive poaching will damage soil structure and restrict grass growth for years to come.
Grassland
Graze fields/paddocks down to 4cm-5cm with dry suckler cows, ewes and close for the winter.
Start closing in the third week of October and close paddocks in sequence up to late November.
Fields closed in October should be available for grazing from mid-February onwards, and those closed in November should be available for grazing in March.
Extend the grazing
This is critical for shortening the overall winter feeding period.
Consider feeding stock concentrates at grass, especially beef cattle close to slaughter weight.
Avoid poaching, feed under electric fences or in open troughs on dry ground. Move the feeding points every few days.
House heaviest stock first (dry suckler cows, unfinished beef cattle).
Consider selling weanlings, culls, barren cows, forward beef cattle and lambs, once they reach a condition suitable for sale.
Reseeding
Post emergence sprays are essential to control docks, redshank and chickweed (at two to three leaf stage which is normally at about six weeks after sowing), in reseeds.
If clover is present in the new ley, use Legumex DB, Underclear or some other appropriate herbicide. Without clover, use Nintex.
Beef
Scan all cows 35 days after mating has finished.
Scanning will verify if cows are in calf, and helps with the organisation of calving and labour requirements next spring.
After scanning, cull all barren cows or heifers, sell them or fatten them for slaughter.
Weanlings
Creep grazing helps break the cow-calf link, and ensures a supply of quality grass for weanlings.
The best suggested practice for feeding weanlings is to use open troughs in a creep grazing area, where the amount of meal being fed can be regulated, and all calves can be fed and be seen at the same time.
Feed at least 1kg per head/day of a 16% crude protein ration forsix weeks before weaning and two weeks after weaning.
Finishing cattle
Sell finishing cattle as they become fit.
For beef cattle, that are 30kg-40kg short of slaughter weight, feed 3kg-4kg head/day of a high energy low protein (12%-14% CP) ration at grass for six to eight weeks.
Concentrate feeding will increase carcase weight, conformation score and kill out percentages.
Under-finished cattle could be sold at the mart.
Slaughter beef cattle before they are 30 months of age.
Cattle more than 40kg short of slaughter weight, which have been on meal at grass, can be housed and finished indoors.
Feeding meal ad lib indoors will give high weight gains in the short term.
Parasites
Treat all weanlings for internal parasites, especially hoose. Treat all stock against all stages of liverfluke.
It may be necessary to dose stock again after six to eight weeks, depending on the veterinary product used.
Replacement heifers
Select replacements based on performance, conformation, weight gain, temperament and most of all, the maternal traits of their dam.
If involved in the BDGP, use the ICBF Eurostar report data on replacement indices to choose replacement heifers of a four- or five-star rating.
Once weaned, potential replacements should be grazed and fed on their own, away from weanling bulls, stock bulls, and castrated male steers.
Carbon Navigator
All BDGP participants must complete a Carbon Navigator for their farm by October 31, 2016 or face a penalty from the Department of Agriculture.
If you haven’t completed a CN, navigate your way to your nearest Teagasc Office or agricultural consultant.
They’ll look after you.
Slurry spreading
Empty slurry tanks before October 15.
Empty and land spread the contents of FYM stores before October 30.
Spreading either after these dates will incur a 20% penalty in cross compliance.
Farm sprayer testing
All farmers and sprayer operators are reminded of the upcoming deadline of November 26, for testing sprayers. Sprayer equipment tests are likely to cost around €150.
Winter preparation
Clean out animal housing thoroughly. Check for damaged/ sagging slats. Ensure all gates and feeding barriers are hanging safely and can be fastened securely.
Check water bowls/piping for leakages. Service tractors. Check brakes and hydraulic systems etc. List repairs needed and get them done. Don’t delay, do it today.
Farm safety
The days shorten, darkness descends earlier — and most farm accidents occur in the evening. Plan your day’s work. Aim to finish tasks before late afternoon.
