Beef Newsletter - December 2023

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In this month's edition:

• Check BCS of spring calvers
  Now is the time to body condition score (BCS) your spring-calving cows and correct any issues. The old adage that cows should be fit not fat is critical to ensure a successful calving season. BCS is an excellent tool for ensuring cows are in the correct condition. The target at calving for a mature cow is 2.5, while a heifer should be 2.75. If condition needs to be corrected, December/January is the time to do this.
• Feed a good pre-calving mineral
  What price do you put on cows that calve down with no issues, no retained cleanings, plenty of milk, a vigorous calf, don't suffer from milk fever and most importantly, go back in calf? That is the value you place on a good quality mineral.
  • What mineral to feed
    Ideally, you should mineral test your silage to see if you are particularly high or low in macro minerals or trace elements. This will also tell you if you have antagonists that may “lock” up minerals and if you should be feeding a protected mineral.
  • Top tips for feeding minerals:
    • feed 80-100g per day for a least 60 days pre calving – many problems with minerals are caused by feeding the incorrect rate for too short a time, not by the spec. of the mineral itself;
    • to ensure you are right, measure out the total needed to feed each pen and adjust if the number of animals changes – it is a good practical guide to monitor the number of bags being used – a 25kg bag should feed 35 cows for one week;
    • dust on top of the silage in the morning and evening; and,
    • ensure all cows are able to feed at the same time.
• Vaccination
  For January-calving herds, it’s time to think about vaccination. Rota and corona vaccines need to be administered three to 12 weeks pre calving, while infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) vaccinations should be administered three to four weeks pre calving to ensure adequate build-up of immunity.
• Research Update - Concrete v. rubber slats
  Bernadette Earley, Mark McGee, Edward O'Riordan, and Cathy McGettigan of AGRIC, Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath report on the effect of concrete slats versus rubber-covered slats on the performance, behaviour, hoof health, and cleanliness of finishing beef steers, and the performance, cleanliness and hoof health of weanling cattle. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of concrete slats (CSs) and rubber-covered slats (RM; Durapak slatted rubber) on, i) animal performance, behaviour, hoof wear, dirt scores, physiological response and carcass traits of ‘finishing’ beef steers, and, ii) performance, hoof health and dirt scores of suckler-bred weanling cattle undergoing a ‘backgrounding’ period.
• 12 steps to reducing emissions
  Over 12 months, the Teagasc advisory newsletters will outline one action per month farmers can take to reduce their emissions. This month the focus is on step 12 incorporate white clover into grassland swards.
• Health & Safety - Staying safe over Christmas
  It is important to be mindful of the safety of children during this time. Ensure there is a safe secure play area in place when children are outside. When children are in the farmyard they must always be supervised. Easy to read danger signs should be in place and these signs should be explained to children. Give preventing fires in your home and on your farm your attention.