Fodder survey

delaval

Did anyone fill out the fodder survey in IFJ.
I completed it and allowing for a 4 mth winter we 'will' be 13% short. We have more silage in the yard than last year and still we sold silage last year. I am wondering are they overdoing the reserves we need. The reason I went for 4 mts was because milkers wont be housed 'till Dec and calved ones will be back out in Feb. I wonder am I cutting it too fine

grazeaway

delaval wrote: »

Did anyone fill out the fodder survey in IFJ.
I completed it and allowing for a 4 mth winter we 'will' be 13% short. We have more silage in the yard than last year and still we sold silage last year. I am wondering are they overdoing the reserves we need. The reason I went for 4 mts was because milkers wont be housed 'till Dec and calved ones will be back out in Feb. I wonder am I cutting it too fine

That sounds a bit tight alright. we would usually plan to have the cows off the grass in mid november and into the beet. if it was still dry we would let them have the grass as a lie back. calfed cows would usually be out in the midle to end of feb with rest all out by mid march.

that said we would be suplementing the grass at the end of the year with either straw bales or silage, they would be on full feeding utill the were housed.

Dampintheattic

delaval wrote: »

Did anyone fill out the fodder survey in IFJ.
I completed it and allowing for a 4 mth winter we 'will' be 13% short. We have more silage in the yard than last year and still we sold silage last year. I am wondering are they overdoing the reserves we need. The reason I went for 4 mts was because milkers wont be housed 'till Dec and calved ones will be back out in Feb. I wonder am I cutting it too fine

I'm 25% short for a SIX month winter.
Will do second cut, which hopefully, will close the gap.

Raining here today, and yesterday. I see you are looking for rain in another thread. Such variables in a small country.

jomoloney

I don't buy the ifj anymore so the answer to op is no

we won't be assessing our fodder situation until OCT/NOV, and again FEB/Mar ,

worked for us last year

KatyMac

Got one from Teagasc and I worked it out for 6 months. I only make one cut anyway, so no bales made yet. I now have a figure (as per Teagasc) to aim for

blue5000

I think they are trying to cover their asses by having a six month winter for everyone. Imagine the embarrassment if we filled up their survey, thought we had 110% and then ran short next April if we get another spring like this year. Still it's better to be aware of it now than next October.

Timmaay

My take on all of this is once its good pit silage it will last, yes I know that holding over silage ties up cashflow, but at least having it to spare in poor years will save the expense of high feed bills. If I get back up to the levels that I had before, I know I should all going smoothly next year have one of the smaller pits carried over, I can then just cut back the amount of silage cut in 2014, and maybe milk on afew extra cows to match supply and demand in the summer.

Dougie502

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Dampintheattic

It's no harm to aim for enough to cover six month winter. I expect to get there once I complete my second cut in mid August.
Not really expecting a six month winter, so considering buying in a bunch of autumn born heifer suckler weanlings, to put to the bull.
All the recent statistics pointing to significant drop in suckler cow numbers in the national herd.
This drop should mean a good demand for springers in the next few years, and probably good money for weanlings due to tightening numbers being produced.

hoseman

Taking paddocks out as they go strong,have about 50% done at this stage,walked paddocks this evening will let them bulk up,first year doing this ,Have better grass for cattle and little topping done.

Farmer Pudsey

I have slightly more silage than thins time last year however arable silage will not preform as well but may well have less demand over winter and spring..

reilig

30% short for a 6.5 month winter. Have plan in place for second cut. Also, have some strong pasture that will be taken up for meadow and mowed in 4 to 6 weeks. Should have plenty of grass for cattle to allow this as last of the meadows will be baled tomorrow.

lakill Farm

All silage is done. have silage for 5.5months like last year plus 10% so all going well i should be ok.

Hay bought early June for the calves

Just to pick up straw in August for calf shed as rest on slats.

Savage amount of hay cut in midlands heading down to sligo. every second field was been baled or turned on Wednesday