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Thu, 12 Sep, 2024 - 10:31

Brian Keane

I’ve done a fodder budget for 2024-2025, and from that, I found I was 20% short for the winter. I used 580 bales in 2024 and have made 470 bales so far this year. I’ve put a plan in place to make up the deficit. It won’t be just one thing that makes up the shortfall – it’ll be several strategies.

I’m going to take a third cut of silage, which I normally wouldn’t do. I’ll also hold onto extra straw from my spring barley crop and feed it if necessary, and I’ve already sourced some bales locally. Doing the fodder budget and having a plan is essential if silage is tight.

I’ve sold one batch of lambs so far this year. The smaller lambs are on grass only and are not getting any meal. Lambs over 40 kg and the weaker ones are being fed 700 grams of an intensive lamb concentrate ration in troughs.

I did a worm count four weeks ago, and it showed that the lambs had a high egg count. I treated them with Macrocyclic Lactones (an ivermectin-based product). Afterward, I did another sample, and the count had dropped to zero – from 1,350 to 0. So there was a total cleanout, which was very positive.

I also treated the ewes because of last year’s issues with Haemonchus Contortus (Barber's Pole Worm). Their worm count was also high, so I treated them with Closantel. Although it’s a flukicide, it’s very effective against Barber’s Pole Worm. The follow-up egg count showed a 90% drop.

Both the ewes and lambs are due for another worm count this week. I’m keeping a close watch on this because worms have a big impact on production, and I also want to avoid issues with drench resistance in the coming years. The worm count test allows me to manage the worm issue more precisely.

Worm counts are high on many farms this year because worms thrive in wet, damp, warm conditions – exactly what we’ve had. It’s recommended that all farmers do worm counts to determine the right time for dosing.

As for other enterprises on the farm: I haven’t cut any corn yet. The spring barley is late due to the late spring. It’s ripening but unevenly. This year, it’s all spring barley for me. The cattle are doing very well, with plenty of grass ahead of them. I have a spring-calving suckler herd, and the calves are getting some meal. They’ll be weaned in mid-October.