Weaning
The calves were weaned in groups during the second and third week of September. This was done by housing the cows and calves separatelty in adjacent pens for two days before letting the calves back to the cows for a final suck. Calves were then housed on a straw bed for 2 days on silage and grass to allow them to settle down before being turned back out to grass and are currently receiving 1.5 kg concentrates daily. Cows were fed straw for a few days to help dry them off and lime scattered on the slats to prevent mastitis and then they too were turned back to grass. The average weight of the weanlings was 315 kg and full details of weaning data is in the table below.
The calf below is by Ewdenvale Ivor and out of a first calving AA heifer calved at 24 months and was on display at our open day in May. He was weaned at 322 kg and had an ADG of 1.28 kg from birth to weaning. His mother, along with 18 of the 19 other first calvers have been scanned back in calf. The 4 months between now and calving gives them plenty of time to gain condition, which is one of the advantages of early weaning, particularly with first calvers.
Finishing Cattle
Another group of 2022 born cattle were finished on Newford Farm during the month. It was a mixed group of heifers and steers. The heifers average liveweight was 585 kg and they averaged a 55 % killout at 323 kg. The average grade was R=3=. All of the heifers qualified for the QPS bonus. The average sale price achieved was of €1574.
The steers average liveweight was 625 kg an they also averaged a 55 % killout at 343 kg. The average grade was R=3-. Again, they all qualified for the QPS bonus. Their average sale price was €1702. Some of the cattle and their details can be seen below.
There are now just 5 heifers left for finishing averaging 592 kg and receiving 5 kg of meal. The bullocks were weighed on the 21st September and averaged 615 kg having received no concentrates yet. The heaviest of them will be housed in the coming week for finishing and will start receiving concentrates. The cull cows have also been housed for finishing.
Visitors
We were delighted to welcome a group of Italian visitors to Newford farm during the month who showed great interest in our production system and were impressed with the progress made in Newford over the last number of years.
If anyone would like to arrange a visit, please contact Stephen.Frend@dawnmeats.com
