Weaner Growth Performance

Hamish and Julia, owners of Braemar Station want to consistently produce 60kg plus weaner stags for sale at the end of March and wean 90% or more each season.

Tactics/Actions:

Change the herd genetics by using Sire Stags from Peel Forest Estate
Feeding fawns and hinds better in late summer by growing additional pasture and forage crops as required
Condensing the fawning spread by ensuring hinds are in good condition at start of mating
Increase body weight and condition score on yearling hinds to ensure they keep on growing right up until they are put to the stag with the aim of improving conception rate and possibility of early fawning.

Management tools:

Strategic use of advantage feeders throughout the year to ensure quality of feed to both hinds and stags
Condition scoring of hinds at weaning to identify any that need priority feeding
Adopting a consistent Animal Health Plan
Weighing of animals to monitor progress towards goals (key weights R2 hinds and MA hinds)

Capital Requirements:

To achieve the above goals significant levels of capital need to be spent mainly on Sire Stags but also on fencing of additional blocks, advantage feeders and scales. A return on this investment is critical.

Success Criteria:

Weaning 60 kg fawns from a greater than 90% calving drop

Outcome/Results:

To come.....

Download the attached info sheet to see Hamish and Julia's full project description.

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