| Livestock
South Devon Technical Championships set to return
to Beef Expo Spectacular in Shrewsbury
The event, themed ‘Beef Up Our Future’, will focus on how farmers can work to futureproof their businesses. One key
focus will be the utilisation of technology and research on farm, including the uptake EBVs as a key tool to enhance
genetic progression.
he Performance
Championships fits well within
this theme, showcasing how
EBVs can be used to the
benefit of the industry. The
technical show judges cattle
bred from Breedplan performance recorded
herds on both performance figures and
inspection. Performance figures for bulls are
accumulated in the ‘Quality Beef Index’ which
includes carcase EBVs; and for heifers, the
‘Suckler Replacement Index’ is used which is
weighted towards maternal characteristics.
T
Speaking about the event, Caroline Poultney,
Breed Secretary of the South Devon Herd Book
Society stated “We are delighted to be
returning to the Beef Expo this May. Last year’s
show drew in a fantastic display of cattle which
had the looks and the EBVs to back them up.
We should all be doing what we can to promote
this vital breeding tool to the wider industry.”
South Devon cattle which originate from the
South West are the largest of native beef
breeds. Previously a dual-purpose breed, the
cattle are renowned for their beef yield, docility,
maternal characteristics, grazing conversion
along with the meat quality and marbling
characteristics of native cattle.
The Beef Expo is the biggest technical beef
event in the UK, celebrating the beef industry
and all those who work within it. With over 100
trade stands, breed society displays,
demonstrations, technical seminars, the
national commercial cattle show and the South
Devon’s technical championships the day is set
to be a Beef Industry Spectacular, not to be
missed!
Don’t overlook magnesium supplements this spring
The prolonged cold and wet winter weather has led to restricted grass growth, delayed turnout on many farms, and in
some cases shortages of forage earmarked for buffer feeding.
owever, as grass growth
catches up and producers look
to make the most of spring
grass, they are being reminded
not to overlook the potentially
fatal consequences of
magnesium deficiency that results in staggers.
Bronwen Pihlwret, QLF’s nutritional adviser,
explains why cows may still be at risk this
spring, despite the later calendar date for
turnout.
“Cows rely heavily on diet to ensure a
sufficient supply of magnesium, and as lush
spring grass is naturally low in the mineral,
buffering, or restricting access to lush grass,
can help reduce the danger of cows getting
staggers.
“It’s important to understand that the risk is
likely to continue until average temperatures
reach 15-16ºC, and grass reaches maturity,
both of which show every sign of coming late
this year.
“For this reason, it’s likely that
H
28 | Farming Monthly | April 2018
supplementation of magnesium may be
required for longer periods than normal this
spring, particularly in situations where
mineralised concentrate feeding is reduced.”
Bronwen adds that spring grass is also
typically low in structural NDF, and while this
promotes DMI’s and subsequently milk yields,
it reduces the opportunity for mineral
absorption.
“Because fresh grass has a low structural
fibre content, it passes through the rumen
much quicker reducing the opportunity for any
magnesium in feed to be absorbed across the
rumen wall. In combination with low
magnesium levels this further increases the risk
of staggers,” she says.
“So, to help reduce this, it’s vital that
producers include a magnesium supplement
before and during turnout to help minimise a
dip in productivity, and at worst death of
livestock.
“It can be tempting to cut inputs, especially
when the milk price drops, but it’s key to
provide a magnesium supplement at grass as
staggers can come on very quickly and swift
veterinary assistance is vital to avoid death.”
Traditionally, producers may have added
magnesium chloride flakes to water troughs,
but Bronwen advises against this as it can
make the water undesirable, reduce water
intakes, and in turn restrict milk yield.
For this reason, she suggests that providing
a palatable source of the mineral in the diet is
the most effective way of achieving sufficient
uptake.
“Providing a palatable source of magnesium
in solution, such as QLF’s Spring Mag (2%
magnesium), fed through liquid lick feeders in
the field is a good option this spring as cows
can access it ad-lib, and it doesn’t require any
additional inputs.
“As staggers can often prove fatal if not
treated in time, it’s extremely important not to
overlook magnesium supplementation at
turnout, or you could run the