Beef and sheep notes March 2008

Given the increasing costs of feed and artificial fertiliser, maximising feeding value of silage fed to beef cattle is of paramount importance. Digestibility or ‘D’ value of silage is primarily determined by the stage of growth at which grass is harvested.  Research from AFBI, Hillsborough has shown that each week’s delay in cutting after the start of May decreases D value by approximately 1.8 units. Increasing silage D value by five units has the potential to reduce feed costs by the equivalent of 16p per KG of carcase weight.

Nitrogen is the main factor influencing yield of grass for silage. The optimum nitrogen level for first-cut silage is 120 KG/hectare (50 KG/acre). Nitrogen uptake by grass is estimated to be approximately 2.5 KG/ hectare/day (1KG/acre/day).  Therefore fertiliser should be applied approximately eight weeks before the proposed cutting date. Determine your proposed silage cutting date now. In light of the high prices of artificial fertiliser and also the uncertainty of the availability of fertilisers, an increased emphasis must be placed on the efficient use of slurry.  Slurry has been traditionally viewed as a nuisance waste product. However it can be a valuable source of fertiliser nutrients. Applying slurry in spring following the 15 October to 31 January closed period will significantly increase N uptake. A splash-plate application of 33m³/hectare of cattle slurry in early March will provide approximately 26.5 KGN, which is almost the equivalent to the same nitrogen for grass growth as two small bags (50KGs) of 27 percent N fertiliser. Slurry will also provide 40 KG of P₂O₅ and 79 KG K₂O. It has been calculated that at current prices for N, P and K, 33 m³/hectare of slurry is worth over £100/hectare.  

Individuals who have successfully completed Part I of the Beef Quality Initiative (BQI) can still avail of financial assistance when purchasing a bull if they are still within their three year time limit. Bulls may qualify as Elite (top 1percent of their breed) or Superior (top 25 percent of their breed) for either carcase or maternal traits. Applications must be submitted within 28 days of the purchase of the bull. Individuals may also apply for financial assistance for purchasing embryos.

Other financial assistance is available for completing herd breeding plans, weighing of progeny of elite bulls and maintenance of pedigree calves.  Final date for these applications will be October 2008.

The single most common cause of death in the neonatal lamb is hypothermia. In the case of moderate hypothermia (temperature of 37 to 39^oC), the lamb should be thoroughly dried and fed colostrum using a stomach tube. The ewe and the lamb should be moved to a warm sheltered area. The treatment of a severely hypothermic lamb (temperature of less than 37^oC) is dependent on its age. If the lamb is less than five hours old they should be dried and placed in a warming box until they reach 37^oC and then tube fed colostrum.  Lambs older than five hours must be given energy before they are warmed up, otherwise they would suffer a hypoglycaemic fit. This lamb will require an intra-peritoneal injection of glucose, warmed in a lamb warming box and tube fed colostrum.

Ewes rearing twin lambs have a high energy requirement (approximately three times maintenance energy requirements). The aim should be to maximise the use of well managed early grass swards. Meal feeding is not required if grass cover is at least 1800 KGDM/ha or approximately 5cm for a dense sward. If grass supply is insufficient feed up to 1 KG concentrate/day of a high quality energy and protein supplement to ewes suckling twins and up to 0.6 KG concentrate/day to ewe suckling single lambs. Ensure ewes have easy access to an adequate water supply at all times.