Beef Newsletter - November 2021

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In this month's edition:

• Know your silage quality and save money
  Quality silage is the cornerstone of good animal performance and profitability in all beef systems. The higher the dry matter digestibility (DMD) of a silage, the less concentrate is required to achieve optimum performance, thus reducing cost and increasing profit.
• 10 things to do before housing
  1. Test your silage.
  2. Formulate diets for all groups of stock to achieve optimum performance.
  3. Draw up a comprehensive health plan.
  4. Vaccinate all cattle for bovine respiratory diseases (BRDs) at least two weeks before housing.
  5. Dose all weanlings for lungworm using an ivermectin three weeks before housing to clean their lungs and allow them time to heal before housing.
  6. Check all shed gates, calving gates, feed barriers, electrics, yard lights, etc., to see if they are fit for purpose. Do any repair work long before housing.
  7. Service and repair all machinery to be used during the winter.
  8. Check all PTOs have covers and chains.
  9. Clean and tidy the tractor making sure all lights are working and windows are clean.
  10. Clean and tidy the farmyard to prevent accidents.
• Know your number
  The carbon footprint of a farm refers to how many greenhouse gases (GHG) are emitted for every kg of milk or meat produced. After each audit, all certified dairy and beef farmers receive a Farmer Feedback Report from Bord Bia, including the farm’s carbon footprint, calculated using a model developed by Teagasc.
• Research Update - Difference between barley and oats?
  M. McGee, R. Kennedy, E.G. O'Riordan and A.P. Moloney of Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath report on research investigating the comparison of barley- or oats-based rations, with or without peas and beans, as supplements to grass silage for finishing beef cattle. The intake, growth and carcass traits of late-maturing suckler steers (initial liveweight: 596kg) offered barley- or oat-based concentrate rations, with or without peas or beans, as supplements to grass silage over 146 days, were examined.
• Health & Safety - Prevent pain by avoiding lifting
  The European Occupational Safety and Health Agency (EU-OSHA) is currently running the ‘Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load 2020-22’ campaign. Irish farmers have very high levels of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), with 56% affected.