The mix of sun, wind and rain continues to drive grass growth and measurement shows growth rates running on average at 70kg per day on the Greenfield farm. While parts of Cork still struggle with wet and heavy ground conditions, the dry land in Kilkenny is really turning the corner now.
The Kilkenny cows have been out full time for the last seven days and the milk tank is showing the results.
The herd was condition-scored on Thursday this week. It is a month since they were last scored. The results show the average at 3.1 condition score (a slight lift on average) with a range in score from cows at two plus up to condition score four.
There are about 290 cows in the main milking herd and 40 in the second herd on once-a-day milking. The once-a-day herd has cows with high cell count, lame cows and those that need a chance to replenish condition score.
Milk yield continues to rise as better grazing and better volumes of grass are allocated to the herd. Yield per cow is now around 21 to 22 litres per day. There are still about 100 calves on the farm so they are drinking in the region of 500 litres per day.
The last fat percentage result this week was 4.11% fat and 3.74% protein (up from 3.3% last weekend). It means milk solids produced is around 1.7kg MS/cow/day. The diet now is a mix of grazed grass and meal.
Jobs completed in last week:
Herd condition scored.Breeding charts sorted out and ready for the start of breeding.AI sires are ordered.Vasectomised bulls landed into the farm. Jobs for next week:
Tail paint (cows) and scratch cards (maiden heifers) applied.Breeding starts.Measure grass growth. Read more
Sun drives grass growth in Kilkenny
The mix of sun, wind and rain continues to drive grass growth and measurement shows growth rates running on average at 70kg per day on the Greenfield farm. While parts of Cork still struggle with wet and heavy ground conditions, the dry land in Kilkenny is really turning the corner now.
The Kilkenny cows have been out full time for the last seven days and the milk tank is showing the results.
The herd was condition-scored on Thursday this week. It is a month since they were last scored. The results show the average at 3.1 condition score (a slight lift on average) with a range in score from cows at two plus up to condition score four.
There are about 290 cows in the main milking herd and 40 in the second herd on once-a-day milking. The once-a-day herd has cows with high cell count, lame cows and those that need a chance to replenish condition score.
Milk yield continues to rise as better grazing and better volumes of grass are allocated to the herd. Yield per cow is now around 21 to 22 litres per day. There are still about 100 calves on the farm so they are drinking in the region of 500 litres per day.
The last fat percentage result this week was 4.11% fat and 3.74% protein (up from 3.3% last weekend). It means milk solids produced is around 1.7kg MS/cow/day. The diet now is a mix of grazed grass and meal.
Jobs completed in last week:
Herd condition scored.Breeding charts sorted out and ready for the start of breeding.AI sires are ordered.Vasectomised bulls landed into the farm. Jobs for next week:
Tail paint (cows) and scratch cards (maiden heifers) applied.Breeding starts.Measure grass growth. Read more
Sun drives grass growth in Kilkenny
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