Weanlings vaccinated for IBR, RSV,Pi3 & Mannheimia Haemolyytica • Dosed for stomach and lungworm
Spot on used for lice • Fluke not treated • Backs and tails clipped • Cows – spot on used for lice • Will be vaccinated in Jan for IBR and Rotavec corona • read more…
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My main aim at the moment is to get all the cattle housed. The sheds are cleaned, disinfected and all repairs completed.
I want to make sure that the dosing regime is right at housing I want to control stomach worms, lungworms and lice but I also vaccinate for respiratory diseases as I have had problems before. I do need to carry out some work on the sheds re ventilation, hopefully I will get to that next year. I usually don’t treat for fluke as I have never had problems, I always check the beef health check report and ask about the sheep livers in the factory. This year I am faecal sampling as part of the Future Beef programme.
The last piece is the nutrition. I always test my silage and then balance up. The younger animals are growing so need higher protein in the overall diet, while the finishing cattle only need energy.
All weanling got their first shot of BRD vaccine to protect against RSV, Pi3 and Mannheimia haemolytica in early September, followed by their second shot at the end of September, to ensure the onset of immunity before the stress of weaning. They also got an IBR live into the muscle; this was given with the first shot for BRD. Next year the IBR will be given with the second shot for longer efficacy while the weanlings are housed.
At housing, all weanlings have their back and tail clipped. They are given a dose of levacide for stomach and lungworms and a spot on to cover both sucking and biting lice. As the levacide does not cover ostertagia type II (inhibited larvae), an ivermectin pour on will be used before Christmas to get the inhibited larvae and any leftover lice.
The in calf heifers and first time calvers will get the same treatment as the weanlings for worms.
The suckler cows are finishing the Autumn Rotation Planner and will be housed by the end of November. Once all are housed, they will only be treated for lice. In January, cows and heifers will be vaccinated for IBR and Rotavec corona 3-12 weeks before calving.
There is no history of fluke on the farm; therefore, John does not routinely treat. This year he will be faecal sampling to track for fluke and to ensure the worm doses used on farm have worked. He will also keep a close eye on the livers on the factory reports. If required he will treat.
Most of the silage has been tested, with just the first cut to be tested this week, now the pit is open
The suckler cows are in good condition and will get the 65 DMD silage which is 12% crude protein. A careful eye will be kept on their body condition, with an aim of 2.5 -2.75 BCS at calving. If they need restricting this will happen before Christmas.
The weanling heifers are on a 69 DMD silage, which is 13% crude protein. They are getting 2Kg of a 16% CP weanling ration; this will give an overall diet of 14% crude protein. The aim is for all heifers to gain 0.6Kg/hd/day. John has selected 15 heifers as replacements so they need to perform right throughout the winter to be mated at 15 months to calve at two years. They will be the first turned out to grass next spring.
The finishing heifers are on 4 Kg of a high maize finishing ration and 69 DMD silage. They will be gone before Christmas.
The young bulls will be weighed and penned according to weight. This will allow John to push the heavier bulls earlier and reduce the age of slaughter. They are on the first cut silage (to be tested this week, expected 70+DMD) and 3Kg of 16% crude protein weanling ration. The aim is for them to be gaining 1.3 Kg per head per day. Once they hit 500kg, they will be pushed up onto adlib meal.
Soil samples were taken under the Department of Agriculture Pilot Soil Sampling Programme scheme, once the results are back we will sit down and look at the lime requirement on the farm. The aim will be to apply lime while the ground conditions permit. The P&K requirements will be assessed closer to the spring when slurry and farmyard manure will be targeted to any deficient areas.
