Herd Update 18.02.19

General Detail

• Newford farm is just over 3 weeks into its calving period.
  • 55 % of the suckler herd has now calved down
  • 60 cows calved with 61 calves ( 2 set of Twins)
    • One calf died shortly after birth ( born weak)
  • First calf born on the 30^th January
  • All cows and calves are very healthy
  • No calving difficulty to report on the farm at the moment.
  • 4 cows have held onto their after birth after calving and they have been treated since. Mineral buckets have been left in with all the cows in the herd to reduce further issues.
  • The average calf birth weight is 40 Kgs
  • Calving scored for the herd so far 1.3
  • Summary as follows:

• 18 cows and 19 calves are at grass. Weather conditions have been variable and wet since turn out, but management decision was made to leave all at grass, as temperature is set to increase over the week end. Mineral buckets have been placed  in the paddocks with the cows to prevent Grass Tetany

• The yearling steers and heifers were rehoused last Tuesday and Wednesday, as ground conditions were getting too soft. But weather conditions are set to improve over the weekend and Newford is hopeful to get these animals back out to grass early next week.
• Newford farm has registered the herd for the new Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) scheme.

• Grass measurement taken on the 18^th of February

• The average air temperature in Athenry on Wednesday the 20^th was 12 ® C   and the average soil temperature at 10 cm soil depth was 9.7 ® C.

• This year’s grass growth is in green and the growth is ahead, as compared too this time last year when it was very bitterly cold (Beast from the East).
• 22% of the first rotation on  Newford Farm has now been grazed
• If weather conditions allows Urea will be spread over the weekend ( 70 units per acre)
• Newford Farm is now closed to groups / visitors until the calving period is finished.

Key recommendations for this week

1. Vaccinated the remaining cows for Rotavec Corona
2. Prepared for disbudding calves as they come of age.
3. Order in vaccination for Clostridia, IBR and the  prevention of coccidiosis
4. Watch out for any health issues with the cows.
5. Check new born calves health each morning and evening.
6. Treated calves naval a number of times
7. Keep all footbaths top up with disinfection
8. Check all water troughs are clean in the pens
9. Carried out maintenance fencing work on the outside farms