Over the last fortnight, we have been able to test whether our slurry additive has worked or not. In using the biological additive, we had three aims.
We had to make a decision on when we start to spread fertiliser on the crops. While it has been an exceptional year so far for grass, the recent cold spell has done no harm and may have done some good in checking crop growth. At the end of the day, we will wait until the end of February to begin with the 10.10.20 on the oilseed rape and then work our way through the crops as usual. The temptation was to go out early, especially on to the winter barley but the advice was unequivocal so we will go that way.
On the cattle side, we now have space in the sheds to begin buying but it’s clear that good quality young cattle have not followed the price of beef down to anything like the same extent. Hopefully, the long-term prospects justify the short-term costs – despite the Brexit threats.
Home Farm: Contented young cattle
Neighbours, gardaí and firefighters rescue 12 bullocks from slurry pit