Olivia Hynes July August update
Grassland
In July growth rates averaged 26kgDM/ha/day and demand was 30kgsDM/ha . However, in the last 2 weeks of August , due to the lack of rainfall growth has slipped to just 13kgsDM/ha/day. At home, bales of silage have been offered to cows in order to reduce demand and to slow the rotation. As the ground is very dry there is no difficulty in feeding . Demand for grass will further be reduced by the sale or more lambs. 3 ton of 18612 or 1 bag per acre was applied in early August but rain is needed for growth. The farm especially at home has a light soil and suffers from drought.
Improving the grazing infrastructure is a priority and almost 500m of permanent fencing has been erected in Kilcash. The fields in Kilcash were too large so permanent fences have been erected in a such a way that tempory fencing can be taken off it (see picture).
This fencing was competed without a Tams grant but more has been applied for under TAMS.
Performance
All of the 2022 weanlings were weighed on August 3rd;
|
Number |
Category |
Av .Weight |
ADG since birth |
|
27 |
Females |
188kgs |
1.09kg |
|
28 |
Males |
200kgs |
1.27kgs |
As the target market for the best of the weanlings is the ‘export’ trade – meal was started in august at 1-2kgs/head/day and this will be increased for the bulls later in the Autumn.
Animal Health
All of the weanlings have received a dose for lungworms and stomach worms and there is no current evidence of coughing. The bull and heifer calves have been separated. As part of the future beef programme – further faecal samples will be taken in September to check for any burden of worms and to see if another treatment is necessary.