Beef Newsletter - March 2025

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In this month's edition:

• Grassland management 
  With longer days and improving ground conditions, March is a crucial time to maximise grass in the diet. 
• New nitrates rules for 2025 
  From January 1, 2025, the maximum chemical N application for grassland on farms stocked above 170kg N/ha has been reduced. From January 1, 2025, farms stocked above 100kg N/ha must use low-emission slurry spreading (LESS) equipment, like trailing shoe or dribble bar systems. 
  
  • Rotation plan: have a grazing plan and monitor progress. Target 60% grazed by St Patrick’s Day and 100% by April 10 (or two weeks later on heavier farms).
  • Paddock choice: graze one-third of grazing ground before moving to silage land. On dry farms, aim to graze silage ground by St Patrick’s Day before closing it, while on heavier farms, close by April 1. 
  • Fertiliser use: in order to maximise spring grass growth, our recommendation is to have 50-60kg nitrogen (N)/ha (40-48 units N/acre) applied by mid March on dry fields and by April 1 on heavier land. 
  • Slurry application: prioritise slurry for silage ground, as research shows it increases dry matter yield by over one tonne per ha more than chemical fertilisers. Follow buffer zone and rainfall guidelines before spreading.
  • Soil testing: if not done already, take soil samples from fields that have received no chemical or organic P or potassium (K) to tailor fertiliser applications and maximise nutrient efficiency. 
• Herd health 
  A proactive health plan is key to keeping cattle thriving. Focus on the following:
  • Grass tetany prevention: avoid grazing cows on pastures that have had heavy slurry applications or high-K fertilisers. Supplement cows with magnesium (Mg), avoid lush grass, provide fibre (silage or hay), and manage stress.
  • Vaccination: calves and yearlings: vaccinate against clostridial diseases and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) before turnout. Cows and heifers: vaccinate pre breeding for leptospirosis and/or salmonella. If mineral deficiencies exist, administer boluses one month before breeding. 
• Calving and calf management
  With spring calving now in full swing there is a rise in disease pressure. Hygiene and good management are
  crucial for minimising losses and ensuring strong calves. 
• Teaser or new stock bull 
  Now is the time to plan for your teaser bull or stock bull (if you have not already). 
• Research Update -  National beef cattle performance 
  Paul Smith, Mark McGee, Bernadette Earley, Ewdard O’Riordan, Paul Crosson and David Kenny of Teagasc Grange, and Alan Kelly (UCD) report on national beef cattle performance in 2024.  In 2024, 1.26 million prime beef cattle (steers, heifers and young bulls) were finished with an average age and carcass weight of 26.5 months (mo) and 326kg, respectively. Compared to 2023, average finishing age of steers (27.3 vs 27.6 mo),
  heifers (26.0 vs 26.4 mo) and young bulls (19.1 vs 19.5 mo) increased slightly. 
• Health & Safety - Safety at calving and lambing 
  Almost one-third (32%) of farm fatalities involving livestock are from cows with calves, and over 50% of non-fatal farm injuries are associated with livestock. Good facilities and good underfoot non-slip conditions are all essential requirements.