Apart from one heavy thunder storm which failed to fill the cracks in the ground, the sporadic light showers we’ve had since have generated very little grass growth.

No paddock has more than half of our daily grass requirement; hence the third cut silage fields are now being used to feed the milking herd, giving us a total of 40 paddocks.

The cows are also consuming four big bales of hay a day and 3in off the silage face.

With limited feed supplies going into the winter, we are going to have to scrutinise very carefully which cows are culled; fortunately the cull price, which was at £3/kg and crashed to £2.45/kg, is now back to £2.70/kg.

Maize & straw

Unfortunately, the 500t of maize I had ordered is now required by the man who grew it for his own stock. A great disappointment.

Such is the demand for maize over here that when a near neighbour put his standing maize on the internet, it was sold within two hours for £880/acre.

It has to be cut, clamped and hauled across three counties to Cornwall. You can do your own calculations as to what that will cost. Last year, I bought maize delivered and clamped for £30/t.

I see with some alarm that straw is being exported not only to Ireland but to several European countries as well, so much so, that the power stations can no longer get straw and they have begun burning hay.

Inspections

At present, we are preparing for our farm assurance Red Tractor inspection - something we once used to label our product to give us an advantage which has now turned into a stick to beat us.

A visiting Irish vet could not believe how stringent it had become - bordering on the ludicrous.

One example is rat poison: it can only be administered by a trained operative who has been on the appropriate course, together with a map of all bait stations, a log of administration and accounts of amounts ministered.

Our antiquated 90 cow cubicles were due to be demolished on 1 September, but the builder has not yet arrived to demolish and then erect 140 easy erect cubicles.

Looking at the current state of the wooden cubicles, which are way beyond repair, I wonder how I am going to present these to the inspector.

Cameras

I have just installed six CCTV cameras, some for security and some for seeing stock. I have mixed feelings on its success.

My 97-year-old mother-in-law is delighted watching our star cow produce a calf on the TV monitor in the kitchen. That is the plus side.

The minus is the phone call I receive half an hour later from the other end of the table saying: “I have not seen you give the cow a calcium drink or dip the calf’s navel yet.”

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