Return to site

Herd Update 19.05.16

General Details

  • Last cow calved last Saturday 14th May
  • Grass growth rate has increased again this week
  • All weanlings and 96 cows and calves currently grazing
  • Faecal samples taken last week returned clear except for slight fluke infection in breeding heifers. We will wait until breeding is complete to dose

Grassland Details

  • Average farm cover  819kg DM/day on 10th May
  • Average growth rate 132kg/DM/Ha over past 7 days
  • Average Demand 53kg/DM/Ha
  • Currently 15 days ahead
  • Current stocking rate: 4.4 L.U/Ha
  • Soil temperatures in Athenry currently 13.1 degrees
  • Decision taken to take out 20 acres of paddocks on Thursday 12th and was baled on Saturday. Further 12 acres taken out on Friday and baled on Saturday. 78 bales were taken off these paddocks
  • This has taken 10 days off our days ahead figure and will bring pre grazing yields back in line to 1500-1600

Breeding details

  • Teaser bulls turned out on Thursday 28th April
  • Breeding started in cows on Friday 29th April
  • Cows being inseminated at mid-day each day by commercial AI technician
    • Cows in 2 main groups
    • 1 group of first and 2nd calvers (ZGM)
    • 1 group of mature cows (FSZ/CKH)
  • Breeding started in heifers on Mon 25th April and 20/25 (80%) served by Thursday 19th May
  • Currently very good submission rates with breeding starting on Saturday 30th April and 70/93 (75%) cows served by Thursday 19th May

Key recommendations for this week

  1. Heat check  each group 5 times daily (20 mins each group)
  2. Spread fertiliser on paddocks that were taken out for bales
  3. Power washing to continue in all sheds
  4. Open Day preparations continuing
  5. Breeding scan booked for 40 days after AI started
broken image
broken image