Feed budgeting is still top of the agenda. The expression “grass grows grass” is very relevant as the very poor drought that affected late summer covers has translated into a poor autumn wedge.

All the autumn calvers have now been dried off along with some of the culls, taking pressure off the milking platform. AFC is still only 754 at a stocking of 2.4LU/Ha so silage continues along with 2.4kg of crimped wheat. This morning’s rain was great despite it nearly all falling in about 10 minutes.

The dry cows are shipped out to an outside block straight after drying but the early calvers have now returned and are housed on a straw/silage based mix. Last year was easier as I was able to hold over three paddocks that should have been mowed, and it was dry enough to feed straw bales in a ring feeder.

When I first started producing winter milk I used to run into problems with milk fever and, to a lesser extent, displaced abomasums. I was doing a leader-follower system with the milkers, and the dry herd cleaning down to a low residue.

Everything had enough to eat and mineral licks available but I was faced with having to use calcium injections on anything after more than three calves. A case of milk fever can easily cost €200 including lost output and obviously there were unquantifiable sub-clinical cases too.

The problem was identified as the fact that autumn grass is naturally high in calcium. This diet lulled my cows into not releasing any of their own calcium reserves and so being totally unprepared for the sudden demand post calving. The simple solution was to feed either strong silage bales and/or straw which automatically reduced their calcium intake.

It also ensured a full rumen which effectively eliminated displaced abomasums which had been happening as a result of the sudden free space in the ribcage after calving.

There is a bit of work making up the dry cow diet mix, not least because of the volume of straw. This year I’m experimenting with bales made with a chopper baler. Early days, but it seems to be working out well as they break up easily and anything that reduces diesel has to be welcomed.

There’s nothing due to calve till after the ploughing but cow no.600 obviously doesn’t believe in calendar farming. The first little lady has just arrived signalling an early start to the new season, a nuisance but still a nice surprise.