Winter nutrition and diets with Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey

Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey discusses winter nutrition and diets on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.

Aisling explains that beef systems are simple and it comes down to trying to maximise intake and growth whilst minimising stress and digestive upsets.

A combination of factors ultimately decides how close you get to growing and finishing cattle to their genetic potential, these include management, diet, housing, water and disease control.

Aisling highlights the importance of taking a silage sample and discusses the targets to see in the report. From this information, the concentrates are balanced.

Aisling also advises on the importance of energy and protein in the ration and for farmers to speak to their merchants about the ingredients to ensure high-quality ingredients are included.

She then explains the inclusion of minerals in diets and it is important to be mindful of the dilution of nutrients when including minerals or getting farmers to compare diets. Minerals contribute no energy, fibre or protein – just ash and vital trace and macro elements.

Listen in below:

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, which is produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com, visit the Beef Edge podcast show page.