The use of autumn grass for weaned calves

Abstract

On hill farms where breeding cattle are kept there are advantages in retaining until the following spring at least a proportion of the surplus calves. The ability to winter them presents wider scope in choice of markets, while the sale of calves in spring, in addition to the dung produced, can provide a greater profit margin if wintering costs are minimised. Grass used efficiently in autumn offers an opportunity to reduce the requirement of the relatively expensive hay, silage, other crops and purchased feed. The value of extended grazing throughout autumn and winter months has been demonstrated by Smith (1953-4) for Blackface ewe hoggs, and for store stock and in-calf heifers by Hughes (1954) and Corbett (1954). In the case of calves, however, the period when late grass can be utilised depends on the continuance of moderate temperatures and availability of shelter from wind and rain, and therefore in most seasons will be relatively short. With these considerations in mind it was decided to compare the performance of two groups of weaned calves, one of which was housed and fed in courts immediately after weaning, while the other remained on grass for several weeks prior to court feeding.