Cattle - suckler herd

A herd of 25 Angus x Limousin suckler cows was established in spring 2002 and calved to a Limousin bull. Since then a criss cross breeding policy has been in place using Angus + Limousin bulls.  The original breeding stock will never be organic and the first batch of calves were not organic because the herd was not managed organically for three months prior to calving.

A shorthorn bull with positive maternal figures has been running with the suckler cows this year with the aim of breeding suitable replacement heifers for the unit. Cows are due to calve from the end of March onwards.  

Breeding conditions were made extremely difficult this year due to the weather conditions and stock were housed on several occasions. Blood samples from cows have indicated low mineral levels, notably iodine and selenium and advice is currently being sought from the vet. Dung samples were taken from young stock in preparation for housing and results indicated a need for worm treatment. Calves were weaned on the 17/1/08 and performance of calves from birth to weaning was excellent considering the weather with an average DLWG from birth to weaning of 1.1KG/day.

Silage samples were analysed using AFBI’s Hillsborough Feeding Information System, with the results presented in the table below:

Using the Hillsborough Feeding Information system it is estimated that young store animals will require silage only through the winter to maintain a performance of 0.6 KG/day.

To ensure fattening cattle achieve 1KG/day during the finishing period approx 4KG concentrate will be offered along with the silage.