Preparing your beef farm for unexpected challenges
Niall Kerins from Teagasc highlights how housing conditions impact cattle growth during winter. His insights, shared on the Beef Edge podcast with Catherine Egan, focus on space management, ventilation, and feeding strategies to optimise performance on Irish farms.
Source:
Teagasc Agricultural News
•
⏱️ 1 min read
Teagasc Cattle Specialist Niall Kerins emphasises the critical role of housing conditions in cattle performance throughout the winter months in the latest episode of the Beef Edge podcast. Despite good nutrition and health management, inadequate housing can significantly restrict liveweight gain, especially in weanlings.
Speaking with podcast host Catherine Egan, Niall detailed the importance of maintaining appropriate stocking densities and space allowances tailored to varying cattle types and weights. He stressed the necessity for farmers to continuously evaluate and adjust space requirements as animals grow over the cold season.
Additionally, Niall outlined key factors such as ensuring sufficient feed barrier space to reduce competition during feeding times, which can negatively affect younger and more timid animals. He also covered practical methods to assess ventilation, including performing simple smoke tests to detect airflow issues without causing draughts, particularly in areas housing calves and freshly calved cows. Maintaining clean water supplies with adequate flow and properly maintained troughs was underscored as vital to animal welfare and performance.
Speaking with podcast host Catherine Egan, Niall detailed the importance of maintaining appropriate stocking densities and space allowances tailored to varying cattle types and weights. He stressed the necessity for farmers to continuously evaluate and adjust space requirements as animals grow over the cold season.
Additionally, Niall outlined key factors such as ensuring sufficient feed barrier space to reduce competition during feeding times, which can negatively affect younger and more timid animals. He also covered practical methods to assess ventilation, including performing simple smoke tests to detect airflow issues without causing draughts, particularly in areas housing calves and freshly calved cows. Maintaining clean water supplies with adequate flow and properly maintained troughs was underscored as vital to animal welfare and performance.
0 views