Grass vs cake

[Woolless]

I'm feeling a bit unprofessional by just using grass.

I'm hoping that a re-jig of grazing management will be a big help this year, plus changing the focus to selling stores from the terminal flock so that stocking rate follows the grass growth curve more closely. I think the key lies in integrating cattle and sheep grazing to best advantage.

 

[Al R]

Yes,I had some good results from a plantain/clover mix. Also did some forage rape when we first came. Did the lambs alright, would have been a better crop if I was heavier handed with fertiliser.

I’m putting more and more leys in with plantain and chicory now to compliment the clover, hoping they bring more cobalt up

 

[Woolless]

I’m putting more and more leys in with plantain and chicory now to compliment the clover, hoping they bring more cobalt up

I'm wondering about trying a cobalt injection about eight weeks. Until now they've had nothing until a bolus at weaning.

 

[Al R]

I'm wondering about trying a cobalt injection about eight weeks. Until now they've had nothing until a bolus at weaning.

I Bolus at 6-7 weeks, can’t go much later. Might try 1 batch with an injection

 

[Woolless]

I Bolus at 6-7 weeks, can’t go much later. Might try 1 batch with an injection

I might just get away with a bolus when I do the eight week weights. That would save a job a at weaning. Those little Mayo boluses don't take much swallowing.

 

[neilo]

I'm wondering about trying a cobalt injection about eight weeks. Until now they've had nothing until a bolus at weaning.

I normally bolus lambs at weaning, but have always seen a response in the lambs when I give a TE drench when worming/Clik’ing/vaccinating in June. This year I tried giving a shot of Troyvit a month before weaning and was staggered at the response. It was certainly 12p very well spent!
We’re deficient in Cobalt here, but certainly not as bad as a lot of places.

I still bolus at weaning, mostly to supply copper, but also to provide longer term Cobalt supplementation. My long keep stores had a Flexidine (Iodine) jab in September too, which makes a marked difference in steady growth over the winter here.