Beef Newsletter - July 2023

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In this month's edition:

• Grassland management
  June has been a very tricky month as regards grass. At the time of writing, we still have a soil moisture deficit but rain is falling, albeit scattered. Each farm is going to have to react as per the rainfall on their farm. A key investment for 2023 is a rain gauge.
• Health plan
  July is a time when we think about dosing for stomach and lung worms. In very dry weather, worms migrate down to the base of the grass and onto the soil, or in the case of lungworm, they are encased in the dung pats, so they are unlikely to be picked up by animals. Once rain comes after heat, there will be an explosion of worms.
• Plan for early weaning
  If drought conditions persist or grass supply remains tight, you should plan to wean early. Once weaned, you can restrict cows, and because they are not milking, they will not lose as much condition. You can then try to cut any surplus grass but you will need a plan.
• Research Update - Rumen microbiome as a predictor of methane output
  Stuart Kirwan, Paul Smith and Sinéad Waters report on microbiome analysis to investigate methane production in beef cattle in an effort to reduce methane gas emissions by 2030. Under EU legislation, Ireland has committed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. As part of these reductions, the agricultural sector is legally bound to reduce its emissions by 25%, with a 10% reduction in methane emissions. Methane from enteric fermentation in ruminant livestock accounts for ~60% of Irish agricultural-related GHGs.
• Health & Safety - Farm Safety Week 2023
  July is the most dangerous month of the year on farms so extra vigilance is needed. A lot of hazardous work takes place, particularly with machinery, while safety for children needs special attention. Farm Safety Week takes place commencing Monday July 17, view the programme of events here