Beef and Sheep Notes November 2011
BEEF
Winter fodder management
Silage is now the largest variable cost in over wintered beef cattle enterprises. It represents 50 percent of variable costs for a spring calving suckler cow and 60 percent of costs for store cattle. With earlier housing of cattle on most farms it is essential to carefully assess silage stocks and estimate winter feed requirements as accurately as possible.
To calculate the quantity of silage first measure the length, width and average depth of your silos, this will allow you to work out the volume in cubic metres. (length by breadth by depth)
The following conversion table can then be used to calculate tonnage based on dry matter.
| Silage dry matter % | Density figure |
|---|---|
20% |
Multiply by 0.77 |
25% |
Multiply by .068 |
30% |
Multiply by 0.6 |
For example - 800cubic metres of silage at a dry matter of 25 percent equals 544 tonnes of silage (800 multiplied by 0.68 equals 544).
Estimated silage intakes on average quality silage
The following estimates are based on stock housed in good condition and average concentrate feeding to achieve target liveweight gains.
| Daily silage intake (kg/day) | Concentrate levels (kg/day) | |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn calving suckler | 40 |
4 (up to weaning) |
| Spring calving suckler | 30 |
0 (up to calving) |
| Suckled calf (300kg) | 25 |
1.5 (He) - 2.5 (St) |
| Store (250kg) | 20 |
2(He) – 2.5(St) |
| Beef finisher (500kg) | 25 |
4(He) – 6(St) |
| Lowland ewe (70kg) twins | 6 |
0.5 - 0.75 |
| Hill ewe (60kg)twins | 5 |
0.25 - 0.75 |
*He = Heifer , St = Steer
Alternative feed sources
Identify any possible shortfalls in silage and source alternative feeds. These can be cheaper than concentrates per unit of energy but are generally more expensive in terms of storage and handling. Brewers grain may be good value for money but like all alternative feeds is highly sensitive to dry matter content. Compare options using the relative feed value calculator on the RuralNI site or contact your local CAFRE adviser before purchasing.
Straw is another alternative, but at approximately £75 per tonne it is not cheap. It can be included as a forage replacer in suckler cow and store rations. Straw has a much lower ME and crude protein content than silage so it’s inclusion will reduce animal performance.
The simplest option available is to source local supplies of silage. If you have worked out how much you need, and you know the quality of the silage, strike a deal early. For example 20 percent dry matter silage (ME10.5) at £25 per tonne fresh weight (£125 per tonne dry matter) is still very competitive compared with most feeds.
In a silage shortage situation, another option is to consider feeding some of the straights/blends to suckler cows. Make sure that there is adequate energy (ME 11+) and 14-16 percent crude protein depending on whether the cow has calved or not. A 600kg spring calver of condition score three, could be restricted to 20kg silage with 3kg concentrate up until calving.
It is important to feed sucklers over winter to achieve a target condition score of two at turnout. Ensure they are fed minerals before and after calving. Also ensure any changes in condition score occur gradually and also early in winter rather than just prior to calving.
Other silage saving tips
- Pregnancy diagnose suckler cows and sell those not in-calf, poor performers and late calvers
- Wean calves early and restrict cows according to condition and silage quality
- If silage stocks for finishing cattle are low increase concentrate feeding by 25 percent and reduce silage intake by 20 percent OR sell as heavy stores
Silage analysis
In times of shortage feeding the correct level of meal is even more important. A silage analysis will provide essential information and give an estimate of the livestock performance at various levels of meal feeding.
Contact AFBI for details - telephone 028 9268 1580
Feeding store cattle
Aim to keep store cattle growing at 0.7kg per day for steers and 0.6kg per day for heifers. When fed average silage, a 300kg steer/heifer store will need 2kg and 1kg concentrate per day (16 percent crude protein) respectively.
