Improving weaner growth weights

Stu Stokes is investigating the potential gains from feeding hinds and fawns in late lactation with plantain/clover mix specialist feeds

Project Description Title:
Assess Plantain and clover as an option for feeding hinds and fawns in late lactation

1. Project Objective:

By autumn 2017 I want to have assessed the suitability of Plantain/Clover mixes to improving production on the hind unit.

2. Tactics to get there/or points to find out?

· Autumn establishment of Plantain and Clovers on the hind unit

3. Success Criteria

What do you want to include, what do you not want to include:

Includes

Does Not Include

Successful establishment

Enhances seasonal feed supply

Increased feed quality in late lactation

Heavier Weaners (unlikely to weigh)

How long the pastures add value

Total annual dry matter production

4. Major Deliverables

How will you demonstrate the change?

Assess establishment (1 – 10 rating after 12 months)

Periodic cage cuts for comparison of pasture growth

5. What information do I need to collect to show the impact of the change?

The factors that need to be observed in order to measure the impact of the change.

Assess establishment (1 – 10 rating after 12 months)

Periodic cage cuts for comparison of pasture growth

Sample weaning weights of Fawns?

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