Signpost update: Silage and lamb sales plans
Michael Forde, a participant in the Teagasc Better Farm Sheep and Signpost Programmes, fills us in on lamb performance, silage harvesting and beef cattle performance.
The last few weeks have been very busy on farm. We are delighted to have the first cut of silage made and we got a good return with 153 bales of silage coming off 16 acres. It is a great relief to have the first cut baled and in the yard as the weather turned very wet after baling.
We cut our silage on the 25th of May and turned it early the following morning and baled that evening. With the early cutting date and having swards grazed with sheep in the Spring, it looks to be excellent quality and we will test this silage in a few weeks’ time when preservation is sufficient.
We made approximately 240 bales of silage last year and plan on making similar, if not a little more this year. With the winter being so wet and harsh, it is very important to have an extra reserve.
As mentioned in my previous article, we slightly changed the silage protocol this year and plan to make less silage at the grazing home platform and take out more paddocks that may go too strong for grazing. The silage ground that has also received cattle slurry so this should help boost phosphorus and potassium levels.
Sales plans
Meal feeding commenced on the 1st of June, with the hope of drafting lambs for sale or slaughter by mid-June. When I write my next article, I will give an update on the numbers of lambs sold and weights.
Lamb prices have taken a cut recently but are still nearing the €10 euro per kilo with bonuses. Lambs have been weighed and have also received their 10 in 1 shot. This is a very important vaccine with the 10 major bacterial clostridial diseases including blackleg, pulpy kidney, tetanus amongst others.
Grass growth
Grass growth has really taken off on the farm, and I will continue to measure grass on a weekly basis. Measuring grass gives me great confidence in knowing I won’t run out of grass when removing strong paddocks that may become unfavourable for grazing. We will take out more paddocks for silage and more ground for second cut to ensure that we have sufficient silage stocks.
The beef enterprise
Our beef stores are also doing quite well but, as with all beef farmers at the moment, the market is concerning, we saw a massive drop in prices over the last 6 or 7 weeks. With prices dropping close to 10c a week during this timeframe. It is both frustrating and concerning especially considering the prices that farmers were paid for cattle a few months ago. We will continue to graze these animals on good quality grass and try and get these animals to gain as much live weight as possible on our cheapest feed, grazed grass.
Sheep welfare scheme
Just a reminder to other sheep farmers to keep receipts and to complete the actions of the sheep welfare scheme. Also, where possible, try and take a break or head away for a few days. Farming is a very demanding profession, especially when managing a full-time job also. Everyone needs a recharge so it is important that farmers look after themselves also.
The above first appeared in the Farming Examiner as part of a Signpost Programme update.
For more information on the Teagasc Signpost Programme, visit here.