Michael Biggins May/June 2024
Grassland
- Red clover silage gets sown
- Fodder Budget – 23 bales left from the winter & 450 to make in 2024
- Second round of Pro Urea is applied
Breeding
- The new CH bull is let out with the mature cows
- 15 out of 30 repeated on the sexed semen programme
Grassland
Michael has decided to trial red clover silage to produce a high quality winter feed while reducing his chemical nitrogen. He managed to get it sown in the first week of May. The ground was sprayed off and tilled. Lime, FYM and 2 bags of 0.7.30 /acre was applied.
Photo: Red clover silage sown first week of May 2024
Photo: Red clover mix
Photo: Red clover silage June 28th
Photo: 13th May, 2024. The crop was closed on April 1st
While grass growth varied throughout May and June the average growth rate was 49kgs DM/ha/day . With demand at an average of 34kgs DM/ha/day the farm grew sufficient grass. The days ahead averaged 21 which meant grass was kept in control.
Photo: Getting paddocks grazed out
Breeding
A total of 30 cows and heifers were AI’d to sexed semen through a fixed time AI programme. This was the first time Michael and Niall used sexed semen. On observation at least 50% have held post 3 weeks. They AI’d any repeats with conventional semen and let the CH bull in.
Michael will be scanning in early August.
Performance
While calving started on February 7th , there were 5 later calvers in May. This was due to a sub fertile bull. As a result the calving lasted over 14 weeks. However, 90 % calved in 8 weeks which was excellent.
Michael hopes to pull the later calvers back or will sell any late ones this year once the calf is weaned.
92% of his heifers are calving down at between 22 to 26 months of age. Calving at this age is something Michael always did.
Calving Performance 2024
Photo: AI sire Powerful Proper Calf
Photo born calves