It is vital to do the simple things to an outstanding level

It is crucial to adhere to management guidelines in all aspects of farming regardless of the type of system you run on your farm.

Each farm is different; from extensive to intensive production; and it is vital for financial and animal performance to do the simple things to an outstanding level.

Feeding the cow is the largest variable cost on suckler farms. Body condition score (BCS) is the best guide for suckler cow feeding. We give a score from 0 (emaciated) to 5 (fat) at three locations; the loin, the ribs and the tail head.

Due to the high quality grass of 2014, livestock due to calve were housed at the target BCS of 3-3.5. Pre-calving nutrition has a major influence on the duration between calving and the resumption of oestrous. To achieve a 365-day calving period, it is essential to have the cow back in calf 80 days post-partum.

According to the ICBF, each day over this target is a cost of €7.50/cow/day. Having cows in good condition, a BCS of 3-3.5, at housing enables the farmer to make financial savings. Cows in good condition are able to utilise their body reserves during periods of restricted feeding. Implementing this management advice, we fed average quality silage to appetite. It is evident that savings can be made by following these simple management tools made available by the ICBF and Teagasc.

Restricting feed indoors must be coupled with a high plane of nutrition post calving. Our calving is matched with grass growth to utilise our ability to produce a cheap nutritious feed source such as grass. The hormones that control fertility are linked to nutrition and subsequently BCS.

A newly calved cow has huge demands; produce milk for the calf, gain BCS, recover from birth and resume oestrous. Priority is ranked in that order. If energy supply is limiting milk production, uterine development and oestrus resumption are delayed.

At home, freshly calved cows are being fed good quality silage and concentrates until they’re turned out to pasture, to ensure the energy demands are met. BCS will be managed to ensure they are in the optimum condition of 2.5 at service.

Calving and nutrition are important and demanding times on farms, and the topic of conversation among farmers at the moment.

While selecting a Valentine’s Day card with a close friend the other week, inevitably, calving was under discussion. A passer-by overheard us at the wrong time. The complete comment: “I was very happy with the fat around the tail at birth and I’ll watch it closely before I serve her again” was met with a gasp and a look of disgust in my direction.

You can only guess what she misheard!