August management tips on beef farms

As we move towards autumn, there are a number of tasks that need to be completed before the winter housing period, Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, shares five key tips.

1). Scanning of suckler cows

Bulls should have been removed from most spring-calving herds by mid-July, with scanning happening four weeks later. This year, more than ever, it is very important to pick out empty cows and target to sell live or slaughter before the winter begins to help reduce winter forage requirements and also help build grass for the rest of the autumn.

More information on the benefits of scanning suckler cows is available here.

2). Lime applications

Lime remains the cheapest fertiliser available on farms. Applying lime this autumn gives increased grass growth and improved fertiliser efficiency next year. Refer to your most recent set of soil tests and apply as soon as possible.

Also read: Now is the time for lime

3). Build grass covers

Second cuts should be wrapped up by early August at the latest, with the last of surplus bales taken by mid-August. Generally, rotation length should be extended from August 10. The focus of this period is to gradually build pre-grazing herbage mass, targeting covers of 2,000-2,300kg DM/ha in mid-September

Also read: Autumn grassland management

4). Weighing actions

Cows and calves must be weighed for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), with weights uploaded on the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) website within seven days (no later than November 1). Farmers should also take the opportunity to weigh forward stores at grass. Store cattle, particularly heifers and early-maturing breeds, may be at the stage of laying down fat at the tail head and could be finished off grass with a small amount of concentrates before housing.

Also read: Is finishing some stock off grass an option if fodder is scarce?

5). Dosing and faecal egg testing

Only treat cattle for stomach worms when you know there is a need to treat them. Taking fresh dung samples from suckler weanlings and getting a faecal egg count (FEC) test done is an ideal way to tell whether or not they need to be treated. Once you have established that you have a worm burden on your farm, you can then decide which product to use. Failure to treat worm burdens in either calves or one- to two-year-old stock can have a major effect on thrive.

This article first appeared in the August Teagasc Beef Advisory Newsletter. For more insights and to access the full publication, click here.

More beef management tips for August

Aidan Murray, Beef Specialist at Teagasc, joined Catherine Egan on a recent episode of the Beef Edge podcast to share August Management tips on beef farms.

Listen in below: