There were 50 calved the last time I checked in so that’s over 10% before due date which was Thursday 7 February.

Similar to most parts of the country, the last few days weather has been very changeable. Wednesday to Friday has been very wet and windy. In contrast to this Irish weather pattern, the news coming from New Zealand, who are of course at the opposite end of the season, is that some parts are hitting 30 degrees and beginning to get very warm.

Milk prices

The GDT auction result this week saw a lift of 6.7% which should underpin global milk prices as Irish supplies lift.

In order to get some of the grass grazed off, David has let out some dry cows and is allocating 8 to 9kg of grass per cow per day. Thirty-eight dry cows went out grazing on 1 February and by 6 February there were 80 dry cows out grazing.

The farm grass walk on 5 February was 1,253kg DM/ha, which is an exceptional cover for the time of the year. Similar to other parts of the country, grass growth rates have been strong and there are some exceptional covers.

Covers

Depending on location, some farmers have enough cows calved and are getting through covers. Some others have weanlings out if they have them.

All are using paddocks with good access, spur roads, and back fencing. Remember the target is to get 30% of the grass on the farm eaten by end of February – for Kilkenny that is to get 30% of 120ha grazed in an ideal world.

We very rarely get the ideal but like all things in farming we have to flexible and move with the weather.

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Early calving season can often bring challenges