ABP Demo Farm: How are calves and cattle thriving?
However, he added that the farm was starting to feel the pinch on grass covers.
Maher said; "Cattle have been performing very well this summer and thrive has been good."
The total average weight of the spring 2024-born cattle as of the start of July is 430kg. The steers had an average weight of 448kg and the heifers had an average weight of 406kg.
Commenting on the weights, Maher said: "Cattle are about two weeks ahead on thrive compared to last year."
Clover has been performing strongly in paddocks this year
At the start of the month, 50 heifers were sent to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) Tully Progeny Test Centre in Co. Kildare, where data on their feed and water intake and methane emissions are measured.
These 50 heifers averaged 420kg on July 9.
According to Maher: "It won't be long until the heifers on the ABP Demo Farm will be housed for finishing.
"We are aiming for them to be averaging 450kg in mid-August, ahead of finishing."
All 400 calves are at grass on the farm. Averaging 155kg as of July 15, they are consuming 1.5kg of concentrates at grass, and also have access to feeding straw as a source of roughage.
Monitoring calves for signs of summer scour is a priority. The farm manager has said while thankfully there has been no cases yet, this time of year is when issues can often occur.
The delayed turnout strategy for the calves post-weaning is being credited for the reduced incidents of summer scour on the farm.
All calves received a white wormer dose, and dung samples will be monitored to identify if another dose is needed.
Sean said: "The wet, humid weather we are seeing now is prime weather for an explosion in worm egg numbers.
"There are not many paddocks with lush covers, so avoiding them for the calves has not been an issue."
Grass growth rates had been well down at 35kg/DM/day but the rain last week rain is expected to bring a big burst in growth.
There is 10ac on the farm burned off for reseeding, which will be disked and sown at the beginning of August.
"This was one of the lowest-performing paddocks for grass grown year-on-year, which is why we have decided to reseed it," Maher explained.
Field burned off for reseeding
The two GreenFeed bins that are out measuring methane with the cattle at grass are just about finished, and will soon be going with the calves.
The first of the store lambs will be arriving on the farm shortly.
Maher said: "Trying to build a bank of grass for them has been a struggle lately".
The first 100 steers from the ABP Demo Farm will head to Tully for finishing in September for performance recording - which takes place every year.
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