All 2022-born cattle have been at grass for at least eight weeks on the ABP Demo Farm and are thriving well with an average weight of 415kg.
Two GreenFeeds have been set up to monitor individual methane from the cattle at grass.
This trial is being conducted on 100 cattle made up of a variety of breeds including Angus, Hereford, Friesian, Aubrac, Limousin and Belgian Blue.
Over the course of the winter, 250 weanlings had access to the GreenFeed in four separate batches.
The 100 cattle selected for the grass trial were the cattle that visited the GreenFeed most frequently during the winter-housing period.
Cattle out grazing in the May sunshine on the ABP Demo Farm:
A total of 240 of the 340 2023-born calves have now been turned out to grass. Their average weight at turnout was 112kg.
Their average daily live weight gain (ADG) on milk was 0.78g/day. The target ADG for calves on milk is 0.78kg/day on the ABP Demo Farm.
All calves have been vaccinated against Pasteurella, Pneumonia, IBR and clostridial diseases before heading to grass.
Calves are grazed on stronger-type pasture and have access to roughage in the form of straw. This is to help prevent cases of summer scour occurring.
Calves will be supplemented with 2kg concentrates/head/day for approximatley 10 days post turnout before their concentrate allowance is reduced to 1kg/head/day.
With dry conditions taking hold, concentrate feeding will not be reduced unless grass is in ample supply and calves are grazing confidently.
The difference in calf performance based on sire has not yet become apparent however the early-born calves are much stronger than the later born calves, as can be expected.
2023 born calves at grass on the ABP Demo Farm:
Many of the early-born calves weigh over 150kg already which is impressive considering the average calf arrival weight was 57kg and the average arrival age was 27 days of age.
Over the past two weeks, surplus grass has been taken out as bales. Following the conclusion of the first cut, 750 bales will be secured, well on the way to securing the winter feed requirement of 1,200 silage bales.
Despite being stocked at 3.1LU/Ha, growth is still exceeding demand at 58kg/DM/Ha vs demand which is at 38kg/DM/Ha. Grass demand will increase as the remainder of the calves go out to grass.
31ac have been sprayed off for reseeding. The reseed was sown one week ago with an air seeder at a rate of 37kg/Ha.
The field was sprayed with glyphosate and left for three weeks before tilling commenced. Lime was spread at 5t/Ha and the field was disked and ring rolled pre-sowing.