In 2021 the weaning of the calves had to be pushed back by 2 weeks due to harsh weather, but hopefully this year we will get back to 10 weeks. That way they’ll get more gain from the grass, and we will hit our target weights.
I usually graze yearling cattle on their own, they go out earlier to an out-farm we have and move to aftergrass swards as the season progresses and silage is made. Our land type is quite dry here and growth tends to slow down during some warm summer months due to low soil moisture levels.
I usually have about 70% steers and 30% heifers and I prefer Hereford crosses. I aim to get these finished at 18 to 20 months of age off grass. I find the breed easy to manage and they tend to gain weight well on my farm.
Going forward I would like to increase the self-sufficiency of the farm, introducing new grass species onto the land, such as red clover, and continuing to find the balance between the cattle, sheep, and tillage. At the moment we are focusing on ensuring the performance of the livestock and saving sufficient silage for next winter.