Impressive weight gains in bull beef trials

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 32, 31 January 1984, Page 9

Impressive weight gains in bull beef trials

Those Waimarino farmers who have been following recent articles in the Bulletin on bull farming will be interested in experiences at Massey University's bull beef unit. Massey began the trial in October 1982 running 370 Friesian bull calves on 100 hectares of flats at the University's Tuapaka property. It was found that some of the Friesian bulls could grow at an average of a kilogram a day over a 12 month period. However as only some of the bulls averaged this growth rate changes have been made in the management plan for the new set of calves to increase the per head performance. The system was originally set up in the spring of 1982 .with relatively low stocking rates — just under four bulls the hectare — to ensure ^ffgh weight gains. These were achieved through to May with the animals growing, on average, a

highly satisfactory 0.7 kg/day to go into the winter with average liveweights of 200 kg. However, difficulties were encountered during the winter months, principally because pasture growth rates were less than expected and the system was overstocked. Insufficient grass over June and July meant that instead of an average liveweight gain of 0.5 kg/day as planned, the bulls were doing little better than maintenance. Then dry frosty weather in late July saw pasture levels fall further and the animals lost weight. Quick action was taken. A third of the bulls was removed from the flats and grazed on Tuapaka's hill block for three weeks, and another third went on to feeding areas for three weeks on ad lib hay. The remaining bulls were spread out over 60 hectares, leaving 40 hectares free for a dressing of 3 tonnes urea. As a result,

pasture cover was up again by mid-September and 330 of the original 370 bulls were able to put on 1.32 kg/ head/ day through to the end of November. The decision to take only 330 bulls through the spring was made in anticipation of a lower stocking rate in 1 984 in order to get higher growth rates over winter. The 330 bulls showed they could keep high spring pasture growth under control, and this was an important consideration when 330 replacement calves were purchased for the current season. Massey staff are now confident that higher winter gains can be achieved with the new set of calves. As well as the lower stocking rate, better autumn management including the use of nitrogen may result in quality winter feed being built up. In addition, the new group of bulls may be placed on limited intakes for the first month of winter. These refinements to the first year of management are being made so that a greater number of bulls achieve their potential. The current objective with the calves just purchased is to try and get 50 bulls through to high slaughter-weights before December.