Brian Reidy: Beef performance targets this winter after some good grazing

For beef producers, concentrate costs are generally good value as we head into the winter.

October has proved to be a fantastic month for grazing, with ground conditions excellent for this time of year. Plenty of grass remains on many farms and utilisation has been excellent, thankfully. 

At home, I have a good bit of grass ahead of both cows rearing calves and dry cows. Conditions have allowed me to strip-graze dry cows to help restrict energy pre-calving. Cows rearing calves will be housed at the start of November, regardless of available grass, as I want to get them settled indoors before breeding begins about the 14 of the month.