Feeding weanlings over winter
By Daniel Hession – Nutritionist & Technical Manager
The performance of weanlings is generally below where it should be over the winter months on a lot of beef farms. Lost weight gain during the first winter is difficult to make up and will mean these animals will take longer to reach slaughter weights or will be lighter when sold as stores. Where weanlings will return to grass in spring, target performance over winter should be 0.5 – 0.7 kg/day. Targeting a gain of 0.5-0.7 kg/day over winter will ensure that animals perform to their potential but still have the potential for compensatory growth when turned out to grass in spring. So how do we ensure weanlings achieve target performance over winter? Here are our top tips.
1. If you haven’t done so already, test your silage and feed meal according to silage quality (DMD). Where weanlings are offered 65 DMD silage, they will require 2-2.5 kg of meal per day to achieve the target weight gain of 0.5-0.7 kg/head/day. Weanlings offered 70 DMD silage will require 1.5 kg/day of meal.
2. Target protein percentage of the meal should be 15-16%.
3. Aim for a ration containing a high percentage of cereals and a good protein source (e.g. soya bean meal, maize distillers etc.).
4. Ensure weanlings have adequate feed space and that all animals can eat at the barrier with ease.
5. If pens are overstocked animal performance will be reduced. Aim for 2.5m2 of lying space for weanlings between 300-400 kg.
6. Check that all drinkers are working properly and that each pen has a fresh, clean supply of water.
7. Have a plan regarding fluke, worm and lice control. Faecal sampling now can help to determine if dosing undertaken at or shortly after housing was effective and if additional treatment for fluke or worms is required.
8. Reduced ventilation and fresh air circulation can increase the disease burden and the incidence of pneumonia which will reduce performance.