{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Beef Edge","title":"Michael Biggins on his spring calving suckling to weanling system","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1073,"description":"Future Beef farmer, Michael Biggins from Co Mayo, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his suckler beef system, weanling management on the farm and the upcoming farm walk taking place on his farm. \n \nMichael farms with his son Niall in Ballynalty, Headford, Co.Mayo and he gives an overview of his spring calving suckling to weanling system. \n \nAll suitable heifers are kept on the farm for breeding and those not kept are sold. This year AI was used on over half the cows as well as a synchronisation programme. Michael discusses the experience and the selection of ai sires used on the farm.  \n \nGiven the current prices and market maximising weight gain is more important than ever , calves are being creep fed concentrates to maximise weight gain for sale as weanlings.\n \nMaximising quality grass in the diet is important and Michael discusses the plan to build covers into the autumn.\n \nThe Biggins family will host the National Future Beef farm walk on Wednesday September 3rd @6pm.  The focus of the event will be ‘Running a profitable weanling system in Mayo’.\n \nTopics to be discussed include:\n·       How to make a weanling system profitable\n·       Learn about AI, synchronisation & sexed semen\n·       Maximising cheap weight gains with grass & red clover\n·       Bonus Insights: Water quality, soil health, demos for TAMS eligible equipment, biodiversity & more\n \nFind out more about the FutureBeef Programme at:\nhttps://teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/\n \nFor more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:\nhttps://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge\n \nProduced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com ","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/sOijP5GJfyC4Db55cdiuLC4kRsO9WtUllrT_cRU3JSQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzEwOTA0LzE1OTAw/NzI0MzAtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}