Blog
When To Start Creep Feeding Spring Born Suckled Calves
Timing will depend on calf age, growth potential of calves and grass availability. Normally creep feeding would start 6-10 weeks prior to weaning but bulls to be finished on ad-lib cereal diets should start being creep fed earlier, around 12 weeks before weaning.
Read More >Why To Creep Feed Spring Born Suckled Calves?
When a calf is 4 months of age half of its nutritional requirements should be met by forage and concentrates rather than milk. Supplying creep feed before weaning can help smooth the transition from pre- to post-weaning and the extra source of nutrients can compensate for the reduction in milk yield as lactation progresses.
Read More >Grass Availability
It is best to check sward heights on a regular basis to ensure there is adequate feed for them.
Read More >Supplementing Beef Cattle At Grass
As summer progresses the quantity and nutritional quality of grass declines. This year, grass growth has fallen off quite considerably as soils run out of moisture.
Read More >Prolonged Dry Weather On Grass
The current heatwave that we have been experiencing won’t in itself restrict the growth of the principal grass i.e. ryegrasses. In fact, their optimum growth temperature is 25 C. The main issue is lack of soil water.
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Warning: Heat Stress, Sheep
Perfect summer weather but be on the lookout for heat stress in sheep e.g. an extended neck and increased panting, even when standing still. If a sheep’s body temperature continues to increase, it will eventually collapse.
Read More >Warning: Heat Stress, Beef Cows
The bovine thermal comfort zone is -13oC to +25oC. Above this upper level, cattle will start to suffer some degree of heat stress. Cattle naturally minimise exertion to stay cool. High temperatures will also have some effect on sperm quality and even embryo viability – each of these being hugely important in the middle of the main beef-breeding season.
Read More >Storing Potatoes With Draff/Brewers Grains
If you are able to get draff this summer then a good storage option is ensiling potatoes with draff.
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Short Of Forage – Poor Cereal Crops?
The traditional way of harvesting cereals for livestock was arable silage which was harvested when the grain reached the cheesy ripe stage in late July. This did produce high yields but a moderate feed quality making it really only suitable to dry spring calving cows. The other problem with it was its attractiveness to vermin and hence baling arable silage was not particularly successful due to the damage to the wrap.
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Blowfly Control In Sheep
The recent warm weather with occasional rain has provided the ideal conditions for blowfly strike to occur. Maggot infestation is an important welfare and economic issue.
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