Greenmount Organic Unit - update
An update on the management of the Unit was given in the September issue of this eBulletin found at www.ruralni.gov.uk/index/publications/bulletins/organicnewsni/organic_news0909.htm
One aspect which we consider very important is benchmarking. This allows us to gauge how the stock and farm are performing against other organic farms, and farms in general.
Suckler beef herd performance
| 2008 | Herd Target | |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | ||
| Calves / cow / year | 1.00 | 0.95 |
| Average calving interval (Days) | 376 | <375 |
| 390 day reappearance rate | 67% | 75% at 390 days |
| Calf DLWG to slaughter | 0.80 | 1.00 |
| Kg liveweight produced / ha | 616 | 589* |
| Financial | CAFRE benchmarked figures for 2007 / 2008 (Top 25%) |
|
| Sales (£) | 1021 | 747 |
| Replacement cost (£) | 22 | 9 |
| Variable cost (£) | 338 | 280 |
| Gross Margin / cow (£) | 661 | 458 |
* Average of the top 25% benchmarked farms
100% E, U, R grades and 95% 3,4L
Daily liveweight gains with the beef cattle have been affected by poor weather conditions for the second year running. Animals have had to be housed on several occasions during the grazing season to avoid poaching damage and this caused lower liveweight gains.
Average deadweight:
Heifers 310 kg at 22 months
Heifers 310 kg at 22 months
Steers 342 kg at 23 months
Sheep flock performance
| 2008 | Flock Target | |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | ||
| Lambs weaned per ewe | 1.62 | 1.60 |
| Average carcase weight (kg) | 20 | 17-21 |
| Kg carcase produced / ha | 281 | 271* |
| Financial (£ / ewe) | CAFRE benchmarked figures for 2007 / 2008 (Top 25%) |
|
| Sales (£) | 102 | 790 |
| Replacement cost (£) | 15 | 7 |
| Variable cost (£) | 28 | 26 |
| Gross Margin / cow (£) | 59 | 57 |
* Average of the top 25% benchmarked farms
Liveweight gain ranged from 150—200 g/day from birth to slaughter at an average stocking rate of 8.5 ewes/ha.
The benchmarked figures clearly show that the Greenmount Organic Unit is achieving well within the top 25% of benchmarked herds and flocks in Northern Ireland.
Current state of play
The suckler cows and beef cattle are currently housed. Beef cattle are being fed red clover silage and 3 kg of triticale along with an approved mineral balancer. Younger cattle and cows are receiving silage only.
As fluke is a known problem on the farm, stock will be treated with an approved flukicide.
The tups are currently out with the ewes. The last of the fat lambs will be finished over the next fortnight at grass with an oat/pea mix being fed at 0.4 kg per head to speed up this process. Lamb trade has remained buoyant and prices are currently 3.55 p/kg.
