Grass-based, dairy-beef heifer systems have the potential for very high carcass output/ha because of the “increased numbers of animals finished at younger ages from pasture”, according to latest research results published by Teagasc Johnstown Castle.
The research shows the benefits of grazing dairy-beef heifers on swards containing clover and multispecies swards.
It also highlights that carcass output, the level of inputs required and profitability can be “optimised” by grazing highly productive and high nutritive value pastures.
According to Teagasc, clover and herb-rich swards have many benefits, including: increased sward nutritive value; animal performance; herbage dry matter (DM) production; and biological nitrogen (N) fixation.
It has also highlighted that because chemical fertiliser N is one of the most expensive inputs in a grass-based system, it is important for farmers to reduce reliance on this to improve the viability of dairy calf-to-beef systems.
Grass-clover and multispecies swards (MSS) can produce similar DM yields to a perennial ryegrass-only (PRG) sward, despite receiving reduced chemical nitrogen fertiliser.
“This means that nitrogen fertiliser input requirements are reduced, representing a significant cost saving, and furthermore improving profitability for farmers,” Teagasc said.
According to the latest research coming out of Johnstown Castle, the overall lifetime growth performance of early-maturing breed, dairy-beef heifers consuming perennial ryegrass-only (PRG) plus red and white clover swards (CLOVER) and multispecies swards (MSS) (grass + clover + herbs (chicory and plantain) was similar – but greater than PRG swards.
The table below shows the effect of pasture type – perennial ryegrass-only swards (PRG), PRG plus red and white clover swards (CLOVER) and multispecies swards (MSS) – on daily live weight gain (kg) of 2021-born and 2022-born dairy-beef heifers
According to the research, this resulted in a greater number of heifers being finished at pasture for the clover and MSS treatments compared to the PRG treatment (86 vs. 75 vs. 68%).
It also shows that the indoor-finishing concentrate requirement was lower for the CLOVER (25kg) and MSS (34kg) treatments compared to PRG (62kg).
“This represents a significant saving in costs associated with feed and housing, consequently increasing profitability,” Teagasc said.
Results for the 2021-born and 2022-born calves showed that daily live weight gain over the first grazing season was greatest for MSS, whereas daily live weight gain as yearlings during the second grazing season was greatest for CLOVER.
Dairy-beef heifer systems
When dairy calf-to-beef heifers were drafted at a target fat score of 3=, CLOVER animals achieved the greatest net margin compared to the other two sward types.
The table below shows the effect of pasture type – perennial ryegrass-only swards (PRG), PRG plus red and white clover swards (CLOVER) and multispecies swards (MSS) – on animal, financial and environmental performance of dairy-beef heifers finished in 2022 and 2023.
According to the latest Teagasc research, despite having a light carcass weight, dairy-beef heifer systems have “opportunity for high carcass output and are profitable” and this can be further improved by including clover or clover + herbs into pastures.
“The inclusion of clover or clover + herbs can generate an additional €100 to €150 net margin/ha, through improved animal performance and lower input costs, offering farmers an opportunity to improve efficiency, while also striving to meet sectorial climate targets,” it added.