Newford Farm November/December Update 2025

Newford Farm Notes – week beginning 01/12/2025

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Finishing performance to date of the Newford beef animals

• To-date 24 beef heifers have been drafted off the farm since the 17^thof November
• The following is based on the 24 heifers average draft date 4^th
  • The average grade for the heifers was R = 3 +
  • The average liveweight going up the ramp of the lorry was 617 kg.
  • Their average carcass weight was 325 kg,and their kill-out percentage was 53 %.
  • There was 4 “ R – ” , 12   “ R = ”  , 6  “R +” & 2  “U = “ grades
  • The average sale price per head was € 2,532 or  (€ 7.78 per kg)
  • The 24 heifers were on average 20.2 months of age at finish (615 days)
  • The finishing diet was ad lib silage and 5 kg concentrates.
  • On average each heifer drafted consumed roughly 696 Kgs of ration over her lifetime , average of €221 per heifer.  Heifers consumed a 12% crude protein ration before finishing.
  • Meal feeding started at grass on the 18^thof August, and these heifers were housed on the 24^th of September.
  • The first draft of heifers mainly consisted of the smaller butcher type of heifer.
  • These 24 heifers went to grass on the 1^stof February 2025 at an average weight of 379 Kgs.
  • Gaining 238 kgs from turnout to date of drafting.

Figure 1: Heifer finishing performance at Newford 2017 to 2025 YTD

• All of the 2025 born calves  are thriving well and are still at grass and at the moment. The plan is to keep all calves at grass until the end of the month / first week in December .
• At the end of October all calves were treated for lungworm following on from vet’s advice as there had been a lot of coughing and by treating the calves we also reduce the risk of them getting pneumonia.
  • On the same day, the calves also received their IBR vaccination.
  • The calves were weaned on the 26^th of September, and the male’s calves were weaned at 337 Kgs ( ADG from birth of 1.38 Kg per day)
  • The heifers were weaned at 316 Kg ( ADG of 1.28 kg per day from birth)
  • With the recent wet weather, the farm moved the animals on quickly in paddocks to prevent poaching.
  • All calves are getting 1.5 kg of concentrates ( 10.2 % crude protein)  at grass on a laneway.

Figure 2: Weanling heifers at grass 17th November 2025

Pictured below are some of this year’s weanlings. Heifer 1 was sired by LM4851 and born on the 10th February. She weighed 321kg at weaning on 26th September and gained 1.23 kg/day on average since birth.

Heifer 2 was sired by LM4397 and born on the 6th February. She weighed 325kg at weaning on 26th September and gained 1.22 kg/day on average since birth.

Heifer 3 was sired by CH6271 and born on the 11th March. She weighed 321kg at weaning on 26th September and gained 1.23 kg/day on average since birth.

Figure 2: Some of this year’s weanlings with performance details

Newford Farm Agri-College Students Open Day

On the 5^th of  November  Newford Farm hosted an Open Day for all the agricultural colleges and universities. Over 300 students and teachers from all the colleges attended this very successful event.

Figure 3: Attendees at the open day with Shane McGuinness, farm manager

Note: All  KT , Discussion and students groups are welcome to Newford Farm

Contact Michael at: michael.fagan@teagasc.ie