Target weights: Sunday was the first of September which would have been the six-month mark for calves born the first of March. So now is a great time to weigh and assess your weanling heifers as they all should have reached their target of 30% of their mature weight. This weight will vary from 150kg to 175kg depending on the breed.

Liveweight is the key driver of puberty, so it is important that heifers reach key liveweight targets if they are going to reach puberty at 12 months and go in-calf at 15 months.

Heifers behind target now should be split from the main batch and given the best available grass maybe with meal. The best chance to get these back on track is between now and housing. Parasites may also be holding weanlings back if they are not hitting target weights and, if so, they need to be treated.

A fresh dung sample from 10 to 15 calves should be collected and submitted to a laboratory to determine the number of worm eggs present. This will help to identify gut worms or liver fluke problems. Deep coughing can be an indicator of lungworm problems.

Grazing infrastructure: From now on, land will become more difficult to travel and work. If improvement to grazing infrastructure is needed to help extend the grazing season in the autumn or next spring, now would be a good time to tackle it. Having good access to drier paddocks should be the main priority.

Assess these paddocks now and see if an additional roadway could help. Even the introduction of a spur roadway the width of two cows may help you to implement on-off grazing on a dry paddock. Set up multiple access points or at least an entry and exit gate.

Thermoduric bacteria: Higher thermoduric levels can occur in September as the warm weather, paired with more dirt and clay, can lead to increased bacteria levels. Thermoduric bacteria are organisms that can survive pasteurisation.

High levels indicate hygiene is not good. The main problem areas when cows are at grass is soil coming in on cows’ teats. Cleaning cows’ teats before milking will help to minimise this.

Other areas to check are the milking machine itself and cracks in liners or joints, etc. Ensure liners are changed every 2,000 milkings. The hot wash needs to have hot water at 700C to 800C. Make sure the bulk tank is washing properly.

Wet wet wet: Some farmers in the northwest have cows housed. Make sure you keep silage quality as high as possible. If indoors on silage only, you will need to supplement with a high protein nut (18% protein plus). The 12% grazing nut is not enough. Make sure that silage feeding space is maximised and if tight at least keep silage pushed in. If at all possible, try to keep some grass in the diet.

Read more

Five tips for housing cattle in wet conditions

Last chance for fertiliser and reseeding