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We have been enjoying a quiet spell before we start calving, but the first group of cows and heifers are now inside prior to the start date of 7 July.
One heifer calved a month early, so with the plan to keep the cows inside as they calve, we have held nine of the highest yielding cows in with the heifer. Together they are receiving a total mixed ration (TMR) of grass/wholecrop silage plus 9.8kg blend.
Once we get a few more cows calved, the fresh-calving group will go on to three times a day milking. The grazing cow group will get progressively smaller as we dry off the rest of the cows over the next two months.
Milk yields of these cows took a bit of a hit over the last couple of weeks, with the very unsettled weather making for some very discontented cows at times.
On one particular day of torrential rain, that lasted for 24 hours, the cows pushed over a fence and got into the spring barley field. Thankfully I wasn’t at home that day. According to my son John, the cows were glad to come in for milking just to stand for an hour in the collecting yard and get out of the rain.
Silage
We started cutting for silage on 20 May and filled the silage pit at Mains of Culsh. However, four weeks later we are still not finished. Between Mains of Culsh and Ardmiddle we had 260 acres to cut, but given that it has been difficult to get two dry days together, it has become a long drawn out affair.
Yields have been very good, particularly the red clover/grass swards. As we are not using any artificial fertiliser (the farm is in conversion to organic production) it gives us confidence going forward that we will be able to produce enough home grown fodder to feed the herd.
The last of the grass is now mown, and as it is for the dry cows and young stock, if the feed value has fallen it is not quite so critical. It will probably be baled for silage, although hay might be an option if the weather is kind. I’m not sure it is a good idea after the weather of the past few weeks, but it would certainly reduce the amount of plastic used.
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