Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Continue to apply fertiliser to push grass on for extended grazing.

Monday, August 11 - Sunday, August 17

All Stock 

• Start looking at getting a silage analysis done. It is now time to begin planning for winter feeding.
• Continue to apply fertiliser to push grass on for extended grazing.
• Look at your plan to bank grass and avoid taking out grazing paddocks for bales from now on unless you are very lightly stocked.
• Get your straw supply in for the winter.
• Barley is obviously best for bedding, while barley, wheat, rye, triticale and oat are of equal value for feeding.
• Continue to treat stock for parasites where necessary, especially calves.

Dairy

• If you have been buffering and now have ample grass, don’t pull the buffer abruptly. Gradually reduce it so that you maintain total intake and maintain performance.

Sucklers

• Autumn calving is underway or about to kick off. Newborn calves must get sufficient colostrum within the first 4-6 hrs of life.
• Keep mag licks with fresh cows. 
• Get calves to be weaned, castrated and dosed well in advance.

Finishers

• Advanced stock are being fed at grass presently. Low-protein, high-energy meal is sufficient for this purpose. 3-4kg will benefit all finishers on good grass.
• If grass is poor or scarce, then up to 6kg may be required.
• Consider bringing fat stock to marts as factory agents are willing to bid strongly for them there at present. It is, at long last, a seller’s market.