Ger McSweeney September/October Update 2026

New Slatted Shed

Construction of the new slatted unit has commenced on the farm. TAMS funding was secured before the works commenced – the shed and tank need to be complete by August 2027 to meet TAMS T&C’s. The slats are due to be installed this week, with backfilling also expected to be completed. A local contractor is carrying out all the works.

A key benefit of the new unit will be the additional slurry storage capacity it provides. The increased storage will allow slurry to be retained for longer and applied later in the season when ground conditions are at their optimum and grass can make better use of the available nutrients. This will reduce the need to spread slurry too early in the spring when soil and weather conditions may not be suitable for effective nutrient uptake.

The new shed will also provide extra space for cattle and give more options when housing stock. The new shed is adjacent to a current slatted shed which makes good use of existing facilitates. It allows the movement of stock from the current shed into the new shed to flow efficiently for a one man operation.

Figure 1 New slatted tank recently began construction

Finishing heifers

The finishing heifers are approximately 20 months of age and are now approaching slaughter fit. They have been housed for the past five weeks as part of the final finishing period. Heifers were supplemented with meal for a short while at grass. Since housed they have been receiving 7 kg of concentrates per head/day along with good-quality 70 DMD silage.

The group was weighed recently and averaged 610 kg liveweight. They are currently achieving an liveweight gain of approximately 1.52 kg/head per day. The aim is to maintain this performance while ensuring the heifers achieve suitable fat cover and finish.

The heifers are close to being ready for slaughter and are expected to be killed through Dawn Meats in Charleville. The continued high level of liveweight gain should allow the heifers to reach their target slaughter weight and finish efficiently.

Regular weighing and monitoring body condition will ensure they are drafted at the optimum time for slaughterer.

Figure 2 & 3 Finishing Heifers nearly fit for slaughter

Weanling Update

The spring-born bulls have now been weaned and are housed indoors. They are currently getting 3 kg of a 16% crude protein nut per head per day, along with good-quality 70 DMD silage. The meal level will be increased gradually over the next few weeks, bringing them up to 4 kg per head per day. They will remain on 4 kg of the 16% crude protein nut until next January, along with good-quality silage.

From January, the bulls will be moved onto a finishing nut and will be fed ad lib right through the finishing period until slaughter. Good-quality silage will continue to be an important part of the diet, with the aim of getting the bulls to a suitable level of fat cover and finish for slaughter under 16 months of age.

The heifer calves are still suckling at present but will be weaned shortly. They will be introduced to meal soon. Ger opts to place troughs ahead of the group of stock grazing – heifer calves creep ahead of cows to receive concentrates. Once weaned, they will remain at grass until November if weather conditions allow. Cows will be tightened up on grass with the heifer calves getting preference to good quality grass on farm. all stock are due to be faecal tested and a dosing programme implemented where required.

Figure 4 Weanling bulls recently housed