Getting winter ready- What do I need to know?

‘Getting Winter Ready’ is a three-part series on the Beef Edge podcast focusing on nutrition, health and housing. Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist and podcast host combines the information from the first two of these podcasts, on nutrition and health of beef animals over the winter, here.

‘Getting Winter Ready’ is a three-part series on the Beef Edge podcast focusing on nutrition, health and housing.

BeefEdge Podcast: Managing animal nutrition

For this first part, Teagasc Advisor John Kelly from Co. Offaly discusses managing nutrition over the winter to maximise performance. John highlights that there are a combination of factors such as management, diet and housing that impact on performance over the winter. These are overcome by trying to maximise the animals’ intake and performance whilst reducing stress and minimising any dietary upsets. When it comes to beef cattle rations, John advises farmers to look for the energy content as it is the most important nutrient, followed by protein which is needed for growth. Reading the feed label and analysing what is value for money rather than sounding good value is important he says. The first ingredient, he explains, has the highest content and work back from there. Be cautious of any fillers as their feed value versus barley are much lower. To arrange getting a silage sample tested, you can contact your local Teagasc advisor.  Find your local Teagasc office here 

BeefEdge Podcast: Managing animal health

For this second part, vet, Cara Sheridan with MSD Animal Health discusses how to manage animal health over the winter. Cara highlights the importance of making adjustments to housing, fixing drinkers and ensuring cattle are dosed and vaccinated prior to housing. It is best to try and house stock on a dry day, keep stress low, divide stock bases on ages and weight and monitor stocking rates in sheds. Cara discusses in detail the anthelmintic treatment of lungworm, gutworm, fluke and lice (biting, sucking lice) for different types of cattle groups. Watch the video below.

Watch below as Natascha Meunier (AHI) discusses dealing with lice and mites around housing 

Further information available here

Check back with Teagasc Daily to get the third in the three part podcast series on Wednesday next week.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge 

The Teagasc Beef Specialists issue an article on a topic of interest to suckler & cattle farmers every Wednesday here on Teagasc Daily