21 February 2024

Newford farm update – the move to Roscommon, calving preparation and performance review

With the calving season underway, Michael Fagan, Teagasc Newford farm technician, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into changes on the farm, preparation in advance of calving and a review performance of the herd.

Joining Beef Edge podcast host Catherine Egan, Michael discusses the big changes on Newford farm, with the herd being moved from Athenry to Roscommon. As the farm operated a tillage and beef enterprise, Michael discusses the work involved in making paddocks, reseeding and making pens before calving. So far, just over 40 of the cows have calved and Michael discusses their performance.

Michael also discusses how the yearlings on the farm are performing and the performance of the cattle finished before Christmas.

Obviously heavy rainfall over the past few weeks has hampered any chances so far of starting the grazing plan this spring. Soil samples have been taken and analysed and slurry and fertiliser is being applied accordingly.

Listen in below:

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com, visit the show page.

Also read: Newford herd settled into new home in Roscommon

Also read: DairyBeef 500 spring farm walks

Also read: The importance of colostrum to suckler calves