Management tasks for suckler cow herds this autumn

Ring feeders in paddocks with sucklers is currently a common sight. The recent rain should kick-start growth. On moderately stocked farms with grass covers possibly run down it may be tricky to build covers into the autumn. Specialist Alan Dillon offers advice

Many farms particularly in the southern half of the country are experiencing periods of drought and much lower than expected grass growth on and off for much of the summer period. At this stage even on moderately stocked farms with grass covers possibly run down it may be tricky to build covers into the autumn without a significant investment in nitrogen.

Suckler farmers with spring calving herds can take action now with carrying out some tasks to reduce demand and improve cash flow.

Scanning

Suckler cows should be scanned by now. Cows that are inseminated from now on will not calve until next June. With the cost of wintering cows increasing significantly this year, it makes little sense carrying cows over the winter to calve 3 months later than last year. Cow prices are still high and with beef prices rising in UK and Europe at the moment, it could be expected to rise again heading into the autumn. An R grading cow weighing 360kg carcass even at €4.80/kg will bring in over €1720. A 40 cow herd with 7 cows scanned not in calf at this stage will get a cash injection of up to €12,000 which may be a bigger sum than the BPS payment on the farm.

Weaning

Stress has a negative effect on the immune system, making calves more susceptible to disease. For the recently weaned calf, susceptibility to pneumonia or bovine respiratory disease can be a particular problem. Avoid abrupt weaning of all animals at the one time. Gradual weaning is better. Calves should be weaned in at least two separate groups with each cow group being removed at a minimum interval of five days.

Beef calves supplemented with concentrates prior to weaning were less immune-compromised and started consuming meal faster when housed indoors. They spent more time lying down, rather than standing and walking post-weaning compared with non-supplemented calves.

Weaning the calf from the cow at this time of year will also allow farmers to reduce daily demand on cows. Calves can be grazed on high quality pasture with an allocation of meal while cows can be restricted by following on calves and cleaning out pastures tight as their daily demand will be lower.

This will reduce pressure on grazing ground and should help in building covers into the autumn.

Vaccination of weanlings

Vaccination may be helpful in the prevention of weanling pneumonia. Vaccines are available against the most commonly involved viral and bacterial agents - ask your veterinary practitioner for advice. Vaccines need time to build up protection. Ideally, vaccination programmes in weanling calves need to be completed before the time of weaning and housing to have the best effect. For most vaccines that means that vaccination has to start at least six weeks before the planned date of weaning. Ensure the number of vaccine doses administered at one time conforms to manufacturers’ recommendations.

When weaning or vaccinating, farmers must be aware and follow rules of BDGP and BEEP-S schemes.

Watch this video on the Newford Farm's guide to weaning

The Teagasc Beef Specialists issue an article on a topic of interest to Suckler and Beef farmers every Wednesday here on Teagasc Daily.  Find more on Teagasc Beef here  Teagasc provides a Local Advisory and Education service to farmers. Find your local Teagasc office here