Feeding in-calf heifers

Irish Beef

I have a couple of 18 month old in calf heifers, they wouldn't be the biggest, they wont be calving until early may. what ration and how much of it would you recommend I feed them. They will be on average silage or haylage. I want them to grow a bit over the winter but also want to be able to get the calves out of them. All help appreciated.

Never wrestle with pigs

I just keep them on good silage ad-lib and give 1.5 kg rolled oats 4/5 weeks pre calving. Just keep a hawks eye on them that they don't go over fat. And I think are going over fat I give them straw.

Once the calf Is out (hopefully) I give them very good silage ad-lib and 1.5kg of rolled barley.

Make sure they are getting their minerals most importantly iodine.

Not saying that's right but it works for me. Calving at 24 months and sum even 20 months. Very important to push then a bit after calving I think.

Irish Beef

Is there much of difference between the oats and barley, just wondering is there more feed value in the barley or something. I might need to give maybe 2kg since my silage is only average.

Never wrestle with pigs

Oats gives them energy without putting it into the calf. The barley will go on their back and blow up the calf but will be good for her post calving.