Demonstration Site Project - Cae Haidd Ucha

Reducing big bale silage losses when out feeding to sheep

 

Project Aims:

  • This project will attempt to determine the physical and chemical losses of silage experienced when feeding big bales out in conventional ring feeders and what can be done to limit these loses in terms of optimum mob numbers.

Strategic Objectives:

  • The objective of this project is to quantify the losses experienced at feeding out, both in terms of physical losses by silage being pulled under feet and the chemical spoilage of the silage as it is exposed to the elements.

Project in practice:

  • Bales will be fed in conventional ring feeders outdoors, but for the purpose of collecting losses, these ring feeders will be placed on stock boards which will be cut into a circular shape that is 2m larger in diameter than the diameter of the feeder.
  • Two feeders will be used, one feeding 50 ewes and another 100, with bales fed ad lib.
  • Prior to feeding, each bale will be weighed and analysed by wet chemistry and its core temperature taken.
  • 3 hours post feeding, the silage pulled onto the floor will be collected and weighed, with its DM determined using a hand held NIRS device.
  • This process will be repeated morning and evening every day until 4 bales have been fed out.
  • Daily measurements will also be taken on rainfall, temperature, silage analysis of the bale via wet chemistry and its core temperature.

  • This will give us robust data on how the properties of the silage change over time, and hence how this will theoretically affect intake during this key period in the sheep calendar.

Project Updates:

A Farming Connect trial has shown losses of dry matter at feeding are between 21% and 30%

Assessing Big Bale Feed-out Losses - Cae Haidd, Farming Connect Demonstration Farm Project Winter 2017 

Vlog: Silage Losses

 

Final Report on Cae Haidd Round Bale Sheep Feeding Study

Using Automated Technology to Improve Heat Detection within the Suckler Cow Herd

Project aims:

  • Evaluate the efficiency of an automated heat detection system, in order to improve cow conception rates and tighten the calving period in the suckler cow herd which uses AI.

Strategic objectives:

  • Reduce the calving interval in the beef herd and increase in the weight produced per cow to increase cattle herd performance and total farm output.
  • Improve the number of calves reared per cow served per year
  • Target of calving 65% of the herd within the first three weeks and 95% within nine weeks.

Project in practice:

  • All cows will be fitted with a motion sensing collar, which will then monitor each cow 24 hours per day.
  • The data is analysed by the software every 15 minutes and when irregular activity that is representative of a cow in oestrus is detected, the farmer will be notified automatically via a text message and e-mail. The farmer will decide on the best timing of AI and any silent heats or irregular heat patterns will be detected.
  • The motion of cows will be recorded automatically over a 12 week period which, coupled with the farmer’s observations, will show the probable number of heat detection instances that would have been missed without the technology.

Project update:

  • The actual Calving index for the 2016 season was 401 days. Significantly below the national average, but with plenty of room for improvement.
  • The projected calving index for 2017 is 360 days. Due to numerous factors, it is unlikely this target will be met, but it does look very promising that the calving index will be significantly reduced, and hence the efficiency of the enterprise greatly increased.
  • With this year’s calving started at Cae Haidd, the collars will be going on the cows again by the end of January.
  • Following this year’s calving, those cows which have a history of a long calving index will be culled to further tighten the calving period.

Mid Project Update:

Through a combination of technology and management changes, significant progress has been made at Cae Haidd in terms of reducing the calving index of the suckler cow herd. When the project started off in spring 2016, the calving index of the herd was 401 days, which was well below the national average of 426 days in 2013. In 2017, the calving index was down to 384 days, and the calving period was also reduced significantly. The projected calving index for this year’s calving is 370 days, meaning that the target of 365 days is very much in reach.

Once all cows have calved the actual calving index will be calculated, and working off the AI date from this year, the 2019 projected calving index will be calculated. Due to the variation in the gestation period within the herd, the projected calving index will need to be a at least 5 days less than 365 if Paul is to achieve an actual calving index of 365 days.

In terms of management, the ability to house the first calvers separately has had a major impact on the calving index. The technology highlighted that these cows were very prone to bullying when housed together with the rest of the herd, resulting in lower feed intakes and sub optimal BCS. Although their diet remains exactly the same in terms of nutrition, the increased intake as a result of more trough time has made a significand difference.