Grass growth has dramatically reduced over the last seven days. A growth rate of 33kgDM/ha was recorded yesterday almost 50% less than the growth rate recorded last week. Lack of rainfall has been the reason for this. Only 23.7mm of rainfall was recorded at the Mullingar meteorological station up until 18 June, that’s almost a quarter of the 10-year average rainfall for June at that station. Some rainfall over the weekend will help grass growth and hopefully get back on track in the next week.
All topping and bailing paddocks has ceased until growth rates improve. One group of cows have gone into a heavier cover than normal but with growth so low there is no other choice.
Dairy heifers were given a wormer dose along with a mineral bolus over the weekend. The heifers will also be weighed in the next week. Grass samples were taken two weeks ago and sent away for analysis and came back low in cobalt and copper. The farm has a history of low copper and some of the black heifers had brown coats pointing to a copper deficiency and cows previously blood sampled on the farm also came with a deficiency in copper.
Grazing
Cows and calves are still grazing in two separated grazing groups. The two stock bulls have been released to mop up any cows not yet gone in-calf following seven weeks of AI. One group is running with the Angus bull and the other is with the Limousin bull. Seven cows that have not yet shown a heat were scanned last week, there was no major issues with them bar one that needed a PRID and the rest of them were given 2cc of prostaglandin.
Calves
Calves seem to be performing well on the farm, due to good grass growth and firm underfoot conditions. Calves will be weighed for the first time since going out to grass this week and they will be given their second worm dose.
The first batch of bulls will be drafted for slaughter this week; a liveweight will be taken for all bulls before they leave the yard.