Beef Newsletter - January 2024

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In this month's edition:

• Assessing fodder
  Teagasc completed a national fodder survey in October, which indicated fodder deficit issues on some farms. The farms surveyed had a 9-15% shortfall in silage reserves.
  
  • Reasons for shortfall - Poor conditions around silage harvest and autumn grazing were the main reasons. Animals are being housed for longer than anticipated in some regions, which results in faster use of fodder reserves. Livestock have potentially been indoors for three to four months or more, depending on location.
• Drafting cattle for slaughter
  Drafting animals for slaughter with too little or too much fat cover can affect market price. Animals on a finishing diet for the last 70 to 80 days could be coming fit for slaughter.
  
  • When to draft - Animals at the desired fat score of 3+ should be drafted. After this there is a cut-off in efficiency and thrive reduces. Weigh and assess cattle regularly during finishing. This aids good decision-making when animals become fit for slaughter.
• Research update - Liver fluke forecast
  The annual liver fluke disease forecast indicates there is a high risk of the disease in almost all areas of the country. Liver fluke causes chronic infections, depressed feed intake, and reduced fertility and thrive. Heavy infections can result in anaemia. Swelling under the jaw and poor coat are also signs.
  • Drainage issues cause problems - Damp, poorly drained conditions provide an ideal habitat for the intermediate host, the mud snail. The risk of fluke can vary between regions, farms and year depending on weather and ground conditions.
  • Wet weather increases infection risk - Data from Animal Health Ireland’s (AHI) Beef Health Check shows a fall in cattle with liver fluke at slaughter – 25% in 2016 to <10% more recently.
  • Treatment advice - When treating look at the product to ensure it targets the correct stage of fluke (immature or adult). Avoid combination wormers/flukicides unless there is a need.
• Leading the way
  The Signpost demonstration cattle farmers are adopting measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Cutting the need for chemical N
    Signpost farms have focused on reducing chemical nitrogen (N) use, by:
    • optimising soil fertility – soils at optimum pH, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K): 26%;
    • applying lime to correct low soil pH – Signpost cattle farms were soil sampled in 2021 and the results used to target lime applications in 2022;
    • better slurry spreading – low-emission slurry spreading (LESS) on Signpost farms doubled from 2021 to 2022; and,
    • using clover – 40% of Signpost cattle farms clover-scored their farms in 2022 – 82% of grassland had some clover.
• Make 2024 safe and healthy
  Sadly, 13 fatal farm workplace accidents occurred in 2023. Teagasc research shows that workload, rushing and tiredness are major factors, so good planning and preparation are key to reduce risk. Keep facilities and machines well maintained, allow sufficient time to get each job done safely and seek help during busy periods.