Brian Geraghty reared 60 Angus and Hereford heifers last year, with a further 92 reared this spring.
This year’s calves are running in two batches – an older group of 68 that have been at grass for the last month and a batch of younger, lighter calves that are receiving 1kg/day concentrate to boost liveweight gains.
Grassland management
Brian wants to get as much from his grass as possible. He started measuring grass this year to aid management. This week’s growth figure is strong at 73kgDM/ha, with demand in the low 30s. This means there is a surplus of grass building up on the farm.
Silage ground is now available for grazing again which has lowered demand. Keeping leafy swards in front of stock over the next number of weeks is the main priority.
“I would like to take the meal off the calves as it is just slowing them down when it comes to grass intake but they are younger so I don’t want to do it too soon.”
The yearling heifers are around 400kg at this stage. They will be weighed later in the month and a finishing strategy will be decided at this stage.
Read more about Brian’s system in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.
Read more
THRIVE: are this year's calves hitting growth targets?
THRIVE dairy calf to beef weekly roundup
Beef prices: producers with greater negotiating power securing 5c/kg extra
Beef management: five tips for second-cut silage
Brian Geraghty reared 60 Angus and Hereford heifers last year, with a further 92 reared this spring.
This year’s calves are running in two batches – an older group of 68 that have been at grass for the last month and a batch of younger, lighter calves that are receiving 1kg/day concentrate to boost liveweight gains.
Grassland management
Brian wants to get as much from his grass as possible. He started measuring grass this year to aid management. This week’s growth figure is strong at 73kgDM/ha, with demand in the low 30s. This means there is a surplus of grass building up on the farm.
Silage ground is now available for grazing again which has lowered demand. Keeping leafy swards in front of stock over the next number of weeks is the main priority.
“I would like to take the meal off the calves as it is just slowing them down when it comes to grass intake but they are younger so I don’t want to do it too soon.”
The yearling heifers are around 400kg at this stage. They will be weighed later in the month and a finishing strategy will be decided at this stage.
Read more about Brian’s system in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.
Read more
THRIVE: are this year's calves hitting growth targets?
THRIVE dairy calf to beef weekly roundup
Beef prices: producers with greater negotiating power securing 5c/kg extra
Beef management: five tips for second-cut silage
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