It is best to start the calves on a palatable coarse calf weaner meal. Products containing locust bean, molasses or flaked maize will sweeten the meal and make it more attractive. After the calves have eaten a good quantity of the ration, it could be changed to a lower protein meal based on rolled cereals and sugar beet pulp, with minerals and vitamins added. Beef Maintaining liveweight gains From late June onwards beef cattle liveweight gains are inclined to drop. This is mainly due to the dry matter intake decreasing as grass becomes stemmy and generally the energy content of each kilogram of DM is less.
More stem leads to lower digestibility and consequently lower performance.
The main objective must be to maintain leafy swards with a high proportion of green leaf. Topping pastures at the end of June to remove stemmy and ungrazed material is recommended. To be effective the swards should be topped to 5-6cm. Big bale silage Harvesting leafy digestible grass leads to higher feeding value and less meal required during winter feeding. Ensile grass free from contamination by soil, manure and rotting grass.