Teagasc Beef Specialist, Aidan Murray, discusses beef management tips for the month ahead on the latest Beef Edge podcast.
Aidan says that farmers with autumn calving herds should keep cows fit prior to calving, ensure minerals are supplemented pre-calving, particularly iodine and copper, and he explains ways to avoid mastitis and create awareness at this time of year.
Aidan recommends that cows should be scanned in the spring calving herd to help reduce farm demand and discuss options to sell live or to feed on and finish.
Aidan also highlights the implications of selling cows or calves prior to five months of age for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme penalties.
He then outlines different options for bulls and heifers for finishing in the coming months.
Calves on dairy beef farms are weaned and being rotated at grass, and Aidan says to use faecal sample results and treat calves accordingly. Plus Aidan discusses treatment options if calves are currently coughing.
Finally, Aidan goes through various options for farmers to consider if they are short on fodder. As sourcing straw is an area of concern for farmers, Aidan outlines the steps farmers can take now and other alternatives to consider.