Many part-time suckler farmers will be burning the candle at both ends over the coming months, doing a day’s work and then coming home and working on the farm, calving and lambing at night. This can put a lot of pressure on a farmer’s system and his family, leading to accidents as a result of fatigue. Or the workload can just become too much and lead to losses.

Is there family labour that can be utilised over the next two to three months? Or is there a neighbour who would do morning or evening yard work for a day in the week to allow some rest time? Consider all your alternatives.

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Beef management: calving hygiene

Beef management: cows and calves

Beef management: opening farm covers

Full coverage: calving 17