08 December 2024
Watch: Finishing cattle with Future Beef farmer James Skehan
Historically a weanling producer, a TB outbreak led James Skehan, a participant in the Teagasc Future Beef Programme, to start finishing steers and heifers off farm in the last two years.
Farming part-time in Ballynevin, O’Briensbridge, Co. Clare with his wife Joanne and a helping hand from his father Batt, James has 24 spring-calving suckler cows with an excellent breeding performance of 1.03 calves per cow per year and a 356-day calving interval.
Currently, all cattle are housed on James’ farm with steers and heifers being drafted to commence finishing at a live weight of 550kg and 520kg, respectively, before commencing on a 90-100 day finishing period.
Cattle are fed red clover silage ad-lib during the finishing period and built up to 8kg of a high-energy 12% crude protein (CP) ration. The ration is split over two feeds per day, which can be fed both front and back of each pen. Cattle are started on 2kg of concentrate and the feed is increased by 1-2kg per week up to a maximum of 8kg.
Steers and heifers achieved carcass weights of 360kg and 340kg, respectively. At a kill out of 54%, this would equate to steers and heifers being drafted for finish at 670kg and 630kg live weight, respectively.
Cattle are handled and assessed for fat cover, with a target of 3 before sale. James and his factory agent assess the animals for drafting for finish.
Watch the video below to see James discussing finishing cattle on the farm:
Health
Historically, the farm has had issues with rumen fluke. Following this year’s faecal sampling results, animals were treated for lungworm, stomach worm, and rumen and liver fluke. Animals were also treated for lice at housing. Weanlings were vaccinated for viral pneumonia prior to housing.
Find out more about the Teagasc Future Beef Programme here.