The next few weeks will determine your profitability for the year

AT time of writing, the wet weather woes continue. The next few weeks will determine your profitability for the year, while influencing grass growth for early spring grazing.

Adopt a flexible approach to grazing. Spread out stock thinly across the whole farm.

Heavier stock should be housed for periods if necessary. They can be released later if weather improves.

At all costs, avoid severe poaching of fields/paddocks. Excessive poaching will damage soil structure and restrict grass growth for years to come.

Grassland: Graze fields/paddocks down to 4-5cm with dry suckler cows, ewes and close for winter. Start closing in the third week of October and close paddocks in sequence up to late November.

Fields closed in October should be available for grazing from mid-February onwards and those closed in November should be available for grazing in March.

Reseeded Ground - Post emergence sprays are essential to control docks, redshank and chickweed (at 2-3 leaf stage - normally at about six weeks after sowing). If clover is present in the new ley, use a clover friendly herbicide.

Beef - Scan all cows 35 days after mating has finished. Scanning will verify if cow is in calf and help with the organisation of calving and labour requirements next spring. After scanning, cull all barren cows or heifers, sell them or fatten them for slaughter.

Consider creep grazing - this helps break the cow/calf link and ensures a supply of quality grass for weanlings.

Feeding Weanlings – the best suggested practice is to feed in open troughs in a creep grazing area, where the amount of meal being fed can be regulated and all calves can be fed and be seen at the same time.

Feed at least 1kg per head/day of a 16% Crude Protein ration for six weeks pre weaning and two weeks post weaning.

Parasites - Treat all weanlings for internal parasites, especially hoose. Treat all stock against all stages of Liver Fluke. It may be necessary to dose stock again in six or eight weeks’ time depending on the veterinary product used.

Replacement Heifers - Selection of replacements should be based on performance, conformation, weight gain, temperament and most of all the maternal traits of their dam. Use the data supplied by ICBF Eurostar report on replacement indexes to choose replacement 4 or 5 star heifers.

Carbon Navigator: All BDGP participants must complete a Carbon Navigator for their farm by 31st October 2016 or face a penalty from DAFM. If you haven’t completed a CN, then navigate your way to your nearest Teagasc Office or Agricultural Consultant. They’ll look after you.