Wesley Browne July August update
Grassland
Grass growth rates were very good in early July with 65kg/DM/ha day and with demand at 38kgs/DM/ha/day this led to surpluses . These paddocks were taken out as bales. The dry summer has suited the farm with average growth rates of 51kgs/DM/ha/day. Compared to other parts of the country , there was sufficient rain to keep growth rates above demand. In August the average growth rate has dropped to 43kgs/DM/ha/day but this rate is still ahead of demand. At the end of August there are 19days ahead . To build covers into the Autumn 16units of Protected urea/acre was applied on August 23rd .
Another 4ha of fodder was baled in mid August. There is now over 1000 bales made which will be more than sufficient for the winter period.
Performance
The last of the bulls were slaughtered in August. The ICBF slaughter report summaries the overall and average performance of the bulls (see tables below).
Animal Health
While the weanling calves were dosed for lungworm on June 26th –there is some coughing again. As part of the programme 2 faecal samples will be taken in August to determine the cause. This will ascertain the burden of any lungworm or stoamach and if the dose actually worked. The calves are still healthy and there no visible signs of any stress/poor performance.