Oliver O'Hara September/October update
Performance
All of the weanlings have been weighed and the 200 day targets for both heifers and bulls have been exceeded .
The bull weanlings averaged 314kgs with a ADG of 1.34kgs/day . The heifers performed even better with an average weight of 335kgs. The aim will to keep these weanlings gaining weight on a daily basis. They are currently on 1.5kgs of meal per head/day.It is intended to hit the sales ring in the coming weeks with the bulls while the better heifers will be retained for breeding.
The weanlings are now weaned with the bulls separated from the heifers.
Breeding
The heifers kept for breeding are from the best cows in the herd. These cows will have the following characteristics;
- Plenty of milk
- Calved every 365days
- Good docility/feet and udder
- Consistently produced a good quality calf.
- High value replacement index
For example, cow 313 has had 7 calvings to date, she is a 5 star and weaned a heifer calf 90493 at 411kgs.
Animal Health
To date, the weanlings have been dosed twice and there is no evidence of coughing. The plan is to vaccinate with and IBR and RSP in mid September. There has been incidences of pneumonia after housing in the past and vaccination will help safeguard against this. The first shot will be given in the second week in September with the booster following 4 weeks later.
Grassland
The dry weather in September has boosted grass growth and ground conditions are very good. To build P & K , 3 ton of 18.6.12 (1 bag/acre) has been applied in early September to the land at home and to the rented farm outside of Sligo town.
The winter period is normally a long one in a farm located in Leitrim. There is plenty of fodder on the farm. A total of 330 bales of silage has been made and a load of hay for the sheep was purchased from Co.Meath. The hay costed €20/round bale plus delivery.