Newford Farm Update: March rain ceases grazing
The latest Newford Farm Update provides an insight into calving progress. Donall Fahy, Technician at Newford, also gives an update on grassland management, replacement heifers and the environmental sustainability initiatives being undertaken.
It has been a busy spring on Newford Farm, with one cow remaining to calve. With a total of 89 cows to calve, it commenced on January 27th and a 90% six-week calving rate was achieved. A total of five cases of mortality were recorded: one abortion (inconclusive post-mortem result); one still birth; two died during calving; and a five day old calf was lost due to a twisted gut. 73% of the cows calved unassisted and an average calf birth weight of 43kg was recorded.
Calves have received their RSV/Pi3 intranasal vaccine, are dehorned and have received their initial clostridia vaccine. A coccidia drench is being administered once calves reach 30 days old.
Grassland management
Rainfall received in Athenry for the month of March has exceeded 175mm and all livestock have been rehoused as grazing conditions have deteriorated. Cows are receiving ad-lib 75% DMD silage and calves have access to a straw-bedded creep area.
Once ground and weather conditions permit, yearling beef heifers and steers will recommence grazing Out Farm 1 - located 12km from the Newford farmyard. The grazing platform will receive 20 units/ac of protected urea; 30ac will be closed for first-cut silage and receive 2,500 gallons of cattle slurry followed by 70 units of protected urea seven days later.
Table 1: Grass cover from Newford Farm (23/03/2023)
| Newford | Out Farm 1 | Out Farm 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Farm Cover (kg DM/ha) | 482 | 581 | 626 |
| Growth (kg Dm/ha/day) | 8 | 7 | 10 |
2025 replacement heifers
10 Angus and 10 Hereford heifer calves were purchased mid-March and will be reared on Newford Farm. These heifers will calve down in spring 2025 and are currently receiving 3L of milk morning and evening and have access to ad-lib concentrates and straw for roughage. Table 2 outlines the level of performance required to ensure that these heifers are suitable for breeding in April 2024.
| Arrival weight | Rearing ADG |
Weaning (9-10 weeks) | ADG 1st grazing season | Housing | ADG 1st winter |
Bulling (April 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60kg | 0.7kg/day | 95kg | 0.7kg/day | 220kg | 0.6kg/day | 330kg |
Environmental sustainability
The Eddy Covariance Flux Tower has been set up in the heart of Newford home farm as part of the farm’s sustainability initiatives. This will help Newford Farm see how much carbon can be stored in soil and how soil carbon storage capacity varies by land use and soil type.
The Eddy Covariance Flux Tower will measure atmospheric gas concentrations and this technique will be using high-resolution gas analysers to measure the instantaneous carbon dioxide concentration from the air.
For more information on the Newford Farm, click here.
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