We are almost ready to make the 2017 crop of silage. We have a lot left over from last year so we have come to the conclusion that there is no need for a second cut – this will be the first time that I remember where I conserve all my winter needs in one cut with no maize silage to serve as a backup and as an essential component of the fattening diet.

Part of the reason is that we have more reseeded grass coming into the system and the last reclamation project I have on the place is coming to an end. A fortnight ago, we burnt off the vegetation with Roundup and I hope to get the grass sown within the next week or so. Ideally, June and July should be avoided for reseeding in case of a prolonged drought accompanied by hot weather but I am going to take a chance, avail of the excellent conditions for sowing and hope for some, but not too much, rainfall.

Off-farm, but of direct relevance, I went to two gatherings – the first was an excellent presentation by ICBF at its Tully station just outside Kildare town.

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The end conclusion was that the well-bred cattle will convert the feed at almost twice the efficiency on precisely the same diet. This will have to influence my buying strategy, especially with the growth in the dairy herd of the Holstein Jersey cross.

The other meeting I went to was the well-attended, extremely well organised Glanbia meeting in Punchestown. With over 2,400 people, the votes for the various adjustments went through smoothly. As a new co-op shareholder, I was strongly in favour of the motion but I was glad that 93% felt the same.