This is a subscriber-only article
Special sales of suckler weanlings will ramp up over the next month, as a growing number of farmers look to market autumn-born calves.
You only get one shot to sell your cattle. Having animals in prime condition entering the sale ring will help generate greater buying interest, boosting the price paid in the process.
For farmers planning on selling weanlings through the live ring, outlined are a few tips to prepare cattle for the upcoming sales.
1. Creep feeding calves
Creep feeding calves for four to eight weeks prior to selling will boost weight gain and help transition animals on to a post-weaning diet.
Assuming a feed conversion ratio around 5kg of meal to gain 1kg of liveweight and a ration price of €380/t, that would mean creep feeding costs of €1.90/kg of liveweight gain.
Top-quality weanlings are returning prices above €3/kg, so there is an economic response to creep feeding.
Ideally, and if it is practical, split heifers and bull calves to allow for targeted meal feeding. Aim for 3kg to 4kg/day for bulls and 2kg to 3kg/day for heifers, depending on breed type and grass supply.
2. Worming and parasite control
Weanlings that are properly wormed are better equipped to cope with the stresses of transit, moving through the sale ring and on to a new farm.
A good worming programme will also improve the visual appearance of weanlings, again helping to attract more buying interest.
Vaccinating against respiratory diseases can be a good move, with the cost of such products covered by 4kg to 5kg of liveweight at current mart prices.
3. Tidy up horns
Tidying up any horns that were missed when disbudding or have since regrown will make help the appearance of weanlings in the sale ring.
4. Clipping weanlings
Taking the time to clip weanlings along the back, down the hindquarters and the tail will again improve the visual appearance of animals.
Clipping six to eight inches either side of the spine can help make weanlings look wider and more square in stature.
5. Grazing silage aftermath
As silage ground comes back into the grazing rotation, aim to keep some of this grass to carry weanlings up until sale time. Regrowth on silage ground will provide high-quality grass to boost weight gain.
SHARING OPTIONS: