With winter feeding being a big cost to his system, DairyBeef 500 and Signpost Programme participant, Gareth Peoples outlines why a focus on silage quality, housing space and parasite control is key to keeping cattle thriving.

Winter feeding is a big cost on any farm, so the more I can stay on top of silage quality, housing space, and parasite control, the better the cattle will thrive.

Silage is the main driver of winter performance here, so I try to do everything I can to make quality silage by following cutting dates and picking the right weather. This year’s first cut was taken the middle of May and tested close to 75 dry matter digestibility (DMD). The second cut taken in mid-July dropped a little; it still came in around 72% DMD, which I’m happy enough with considering the weather.

In my pit, second cut is put on top of first cut so winter diets will be a mix of both, which will feed to weanlings and finishing cattle this winter.

For weanlings, I’m adding 1.5-2 kg/head/day of a 16% protein ration for the early part of the winter, and I will cut them back then to 1kg per day after Christmas. That extra bit of meal helps them reach the target of 0.6-0.7kg/day gain while housed. The finishing cattle are fed 5–6 kg/day of a home mixed maize and barley based 14% ration, as well as 10kg of beet. All animals are fed using the diet feeder the last number of years and I’ve found it to work very well as it provides consistency.

Housing space

Housing is always a bit tight on my farm, so management starts long before cattle come in. To make space for the calves, I pulled out the 17 heaviest Friesian steers, along with 10 early-maturing animals, back in July and put them on meal early. Getting these away early frees up shed space and takes pressure off.

I group stock by size to avoid bullying and to make sure smaller animals aren’t pushed away from the feed barrier.

Water is something I keep a close eye on. Even the best feed plan won’t work if cattle can’t get clean water. Troughs are checked daily. If there’s any contamination, I clean them straight away. In the finishing sheds, I use bigger troughs rather than small drinker bowls because cattle on higher levels of meal will drink a lot more.

Parasite control – staying ahead of problems

Parasites can quietly take the thrive off cattle, especially going into winter, so I try to stay ahead of them. About two weeks before housing, I give everything a treatment for lungworm. I want stock going indoors clean – not carrying a burden with them.

About a month after housing, I dose for stomach worms and fluke. Then, around six weeks later, I take faecal samples to make sure the products I used are still working properly. There’s no point dosing if it isn’t doing what it’s supposed to, and checking keeps resistance at bay.

For external parasites like lice, I clip cattle along the back and apply a pour-on when required. It keeps them more comfortable and prevents hair loss and scratching.

The above first appeared in the Farming Independent as part of a Signpost Programme update.

For more information on the Teagasc Signpost Programme, visit here.

Find out more about the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign here.