Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist
Most reports suggest that grass is testing no higher than 13-15% Dry Matter. Protein is around 20%, and leafy grass is low in fibre right now.
- Grass remains low in dry matter, so monitor intakes and supplement where necessary. Most reports suggest that grass is testing no higher than 13-15% Dry Matter. Protein is around 20%, and leafy grass is low in fibre right now.
- Continue to dose for fluke and worms, as they are very common in many herds at present. Dry weather followed by wet weather will always increase the worm burden to cattle of all ages.
- Increase protein supplementation in order to maintain performance.
- Introduce forage to supplement grass intakes.
- House fresh calvers by night to optimise dry matter intake. If cows and heifers are in poor condition, begin topping them up in the parlour.
- There is no need for a long dry period for cows or heifers if you build condition in late lactation. In fact, a long dry period can be very detrimental to future animal health and performance.
- Continue to supplement fresh-calved suckler cows at grass with Magnesium. Nights are beginning to get colder so Tetany will be an issue if this is not addressed.
- Spring calves to be weaned at or before housing should be on a creep feed.
- Dose, vaccinate and castrate well in advance of weaning to minimise stress.
