HERD UPDATE 09.11.20

General detail

• 14 beef bullocks, all of which met QPS spec, were slaughtered on the 5^th of November
  • The average grade for the 14 bullocks was R = 3 -
  • The average liveweight going up the ramp of the lorry was 636 kg
  • The average carcase weight was 341kg and the kill-out percentage was 54%
  • The average sale price was € 1,341
  • The 14 bullocks were on average 20 months of age
  • Meal feeding started at grass on the 4^th of September
  • These bullocks were housed on the 2^nd of October (34 days before slaughter)
  • The finishing diet was ad lib silage and 6 kg concentrates
  • The 14 bullocks consumed on average 316 kg of a 12 % coarse ration over a feeding period of nine weeks
  • The concentrates cost on average per bullock for the nine weeks was €79

• The below table outlines farm sales to-date in 2020 for Newford Farm

• The remaining 20 bullocks were also housed on the 2^nd October
  • They are receiving 6 kg concentrates along with ad-lib silage
  • Feeding is split with 3 kg of a high-energy 12% protein content coarse ration offered in the morning and another 3 kg in the evening
  • The bullocks have had their tail’s and back’s clipped to keep animals cooler with temperatures currently relatively high .It also keeps the animal cleaner and helps to avoid contamination at slaughter
  • Those 20 bullocks were weighed on the 2^nd of November and the average liveweight was recorded at 623 kg. They were also treated for lice on the same day

• The remaining 22 beef heifers were housed on the 20^th of October
  • Their average weight on the 2^nd of November was 557 kg
  • They are receiving 5 kg concentrates along with ad lib silage

• All the suckler cows had an extended month at grass compared to previous years
  • This was achieved by the farm building a good autumn grass wedge and favourable grazing conditions. This will also ease the pressure on silage supplies
  • The cows were housed at different times during the month of October
  • All the cows will be body condition scored in the next few days and penned according to BCS. Any low BCS cows will be fed concentrates to improve condition well in advance of calving.  
  • Cows are being offered 68% DMD silage ad lib and also have access to mineral buckets
• All weanlings are receiving 2 kg of a high-energy, 18% protein ration and good-quality silage offered ad lib. There are no health issues to report.

• Newford Farm produced a video titled “19 month old Beef Heifers sold off grass”.

      Key recommendations for this week

1. Watch weanlings closely for pneumonia and coccidiosis
2. Keep mineral buckets topped up for cows
3. Order dosing for housed animals