Preparing cattle sheds for a healthy winter season
Ensuring cattle and housing are winter-ready is crucial to animal health and farm profitability. Teagasc expert David Argue outlines essential preparation steps to help beef farmers maintain thriving livestock during the colder months.
Source:
Teagasc Agricultural News
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⏱️ 1 min read
Preparing cattle and their housing for the winter months is vital to safeguard animal health, promote good weight gain, and enhance profitability on beef farms. David Argue, Teagasc Cattle Specialist, emphasises the importance of early preparation to reduce disease risk and management difficulties as cattle move indoors.
Before housing begins, farmers should inspect and repair gates, latches, feed barriers, and water troughs to avoid issues once animals are penned. Thorough power washing and disinfection of sheds are recommended to curb disease spread, alongside diverting roof and yard water away from slurry tanks to manage excess moisture.
Adequate lying and feeding space are key to animal comfort and performance. Overcrowding should be avoided to reduce competition and disease transmission. Ventilation must ensure a steady flow of fresh air without cold draughts to minimise respiratory illnesses. Additionally, analysing silage quality helps tailor winter feeding programmes to meet nutritional needs, with regular monitoring of body condition and weight gains throughout the season.
For further guidance on winter readiness, farmers are encouraged to explore Teagasc’s Beef Edge podcast, which offers practical advice and expert insights.
Before housing begins, farmers should inspect and repair gates, latches, feed barriers, and water troughs to avoid issues once animals are penned. Thorough power washing and disinfection of sheds are recommended to curb disease spread, alongside diverting roof and yard water away from slurry tanks to manage excess moisture.
Adequate lying and feeding space are key to animal comfort and performance. Overcrowding should be avoided to reduce competition and disease transmission. Ventilation must ensure a steady flow of fresh air without cold draughts to minimise respiratory illnesses. Additionally, analysing silage quality helps tailor winter feeding programmes to meet nutritional needs, with regular monitoring of body condition and weight gains throughout the season.
For further guidance on winter readiness, farmers are encouraged to explore Teagasc’s Beef Edge podcast, which offers practical advice and expert insights.
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