Eamon & Donnchadh McCarthy November/December Update

Autumn calving finished and breeding has started

• Successful autumn calving season finished
• Breeding dates set for 6 week breeding season – started 4^th October and finishing 14^th November
• AI bulls picked to match the cows in the herd

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Silage sample results are back

• Important to test silage before feeding cattle this winter
• Balance diets for energy ad protein
• Remember to include minerals for breeding cattle if feeding straights

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Weighing continuing on the farm

• Regular weighing of finishing cattle is important for planning slaughter dates
• Weigh young cattle around 2 weeks after housing
• Cull cows being sold before the housing period

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Breeding

18 cows calved in total between 24^th July and 9^th September, with 7 bulls and 11 heifers. No mortalities occurred.

Breeding started on 3^rd October and 22 out of 24 cows/ heifers have been bred to date. Only one cow has been selected for culling and won’t be bred. Breeding will finish after 6 weeks on 14^th November. 4 cows and 1 heifer have repeated so far.

The bulls picked for breeding are:

• Ch4252 – Excellent terminal, poor replacement, not suitable for heifers
• Ch4082 – Excellent terminal, poor replacement, not suitable for heifers
• Ch4321 – Excellent terminal, poor replacement, not suitable for heifers
• Au4683 – Good replacement, okay terminal, suitable for heifers
• Si4083 – Good replacement, okay terminal, not suitable for heifers
• Si2469 – Good replacement, okay terminal, not suitable for heifers

Animal Nutrition

Silage samples were taken on the farm and returned the following results:

• Sample 1: 63.6% DMD at 10.1% crude protein
• Sample 2: 67.4% DMD at 11.2% crude protein
• Sample 3: 68.1% DMD at 12.8% crude protein
• Sample 4: 73.2% DMD at 14.4% crude protein

The home grown barley was also tested and tested at 8.6% for crude protein.

This information allows Eamon and Donnchadh to balance diets for the various groups of stock on their farm over the winter. The autumn cows will be prioritised on the 73.2% DMD silage and will receive 2kg barley and minerals with this to ensure adequate energy in the diet for breeding and rearing their calves.

The spring and autumn heifers will be fed the 67.4% DMD silage which will be balanced with 1.5kg barley and 0.5kg soya bean meal.

The spring born finishing bulls will start on 68.1% DMD silage (as there is a limited number of 73.2% DMD bales) and be supplemented with 2.5kg barley, 0.4kg soya bean meal and 2kg of a 14% CP ration until they go on their finishing diet.

The autumn bulls are already on their finishing diet which consists of straight barley mixed in with ration.

Performance

The 2021 autumn born finishing bulls (4) averaged 652kg on 22^nd October, having gained 1.88kg/day since 8^th October.

The 2022 spring born bulls (24) were weighed on 5^th November. They averaged 345kg, having gained 0.97 kg/day since 1^st of August.

One suckler cow was slaughtered on 26^th October. She graded O-2+ and had a carcass weight of 310kg.