Beef Newsletter - November 2021
This month's Beef Newsletter includes information on: silage quality and saving money; 10 things to do before housing; knowing your carbon footprint; research update and health and safety.
Download theBeef Newsletter - November 2021
In this month's edition:
- Know your silage quality and save money
Quality silage is the cornerstone of good animal performance and profitability in all beef systems. The higher the dry matter digestibility (DMD) of a silage, the less concentrate is required to achieve optimum performance, thus reducing cost and increasing profit. - 10 things to do before housing
- Test your silage.
- Formulate diets for all groups of stock to achieve optimum performance.
- Draw up a comprehensive health plan.
- Vaccinate all cattle for bovine respiratory diseases (BRDs) at least two weeks before housing.
- Dose all weanlings for lungworm using an ivermectin three weeks before housing to clean their lungs and allow them time to heal before housing.
- Check all shed gates, calving gates, feed barriers, electrics, yard lights, etc., to see if they are fit for purpose. Do any repair work long before housing.
- Service and repair all machinery to be used during the winter.
- Check all PTOs have covers and chains.
- Clean and tidy the tractor making sure all lights are working and windows are clean.
- Clean and tidy the farmyard to prevent accidents.
- Know your number
The carbon footprint of a farm refers to how many greenhouse gases (GHG) are emitted for every kg of milk or meat produced. After each audit, all certified dairy and beef farmers receive a Farmer Feedback Report from Bord Bia, including the farm’s carbon footprint, calculated using a model developed by Teagasc. - Research Update - Difference between barley and oats?
M. McGee, R. Kennedy, E.G. O'Riordan and A.P. Moloney of Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath report on research investigating the comparison of barley- or oats-based rations, with or without peas and beans, as supplements to grass silage for finishing beef cattle. The intake, growth and carcass traits of late-maturing suckler steers (initial liveweight: 596kg) offered barley- or oat-based concentrate rations, with or without peas or beans, as supplements to grass silage over 146 days, were examined. - Health & Safety - Prevent pain by avoiding lifting
The European Occupational Safety and Health Agency (EU-OSHA) is currently running the ‘Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load 2020-22’ campaign. Irish farmers have very high levels of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), with 56% affected.