Stocking Densities and Nitrate Plans 2014

49801

That time of year again folks to plan the nitrates for the year.

Staying with current stocking rate we would have 3.23lu/Ha and 176.33 kgN/Ha
Considering going to 4.23lu/Ha and 213kgN/Ha by adding another 30 young stock to the system.

I am concerned about over burdening the system but would be worth another 9k net. Is it feasible to go to such high stocking rates and still achieve the growth rates without feeding concentrates at grass? Assuming a normal weather year whatever that is I'll never know:p

bob charles

49801 wrote: »

That time of year again folks to plan the nitrates for the year.

Staying with current stocking rate we would have 3.23lu/Ha and 176.33 kgN/Ha
Considering going to 4.23lu/Ha and 213kgN/Ha by adding another 30 young stock to the system.

I am concerned about over burdening the system but would be worth another 9k net. Is it feasible to go to such high stocking rates and still achieve the growth rates without feeding concentrates at grass? Assuming a normal weather year whatever that is I'll never know:p

are you sure your figures are spot on that 30 more young stock equals 9k net? I cant see any problem going to 4.23 LU ha, but you will have emergency period that more you push stocking rates. You will just have to ensure you have a buffer feed for these periods. I assume fixed costs wont change with plus 30

49801

Ya it's those periods of high rain fall when grass needs to be protected is the problem I am thinking of.
Won't have luxury of buffer/supplementing cattle at grass so they could be brought indoors for more periods. So that has to be accounted for too.

Sorry I was not clear I meant 30 more calves plus another 30 1yr olds

bob charles

49801 wrote: »

Ya it's those periods of high rain fall when grass needs to be protected is the problem I am thinking of.
Won't have luxury of buffer/supplementing cattle at grass so they could be brought indoors for more periods. So that has to be accounted for too.

Sorry I was not clear I meant 30 more calves plus another 30 1yr olds

thats allot of extra animals for 9k, how many on the farm already? you could go from having a nice simple system that works to completely overloading and creating a nightmare for yourself. Can you not go half way and see how things work out, 15calves, 15 1yrs olds ?

Timmaay

bob charles wrote: »

thats allot of extra animals for 9k, how many on the farm already? you could go from having a nice simple system that works to completely overloading and creating a nightmare for yourself. Can you not go half way and see how things work out, 15calves, 15 1yrs olds ?

Agreed, also how good do you think the existing system is, ie could you squeeze that sort of saving out if it by improving efficient, reducing the workload etc? Loads of small things would all add up, existing grass management, silage quality, days at grass, animal losses etc. For many dairyfarmers 9k in savings most certainly could be achieved if they wanted to, but instead how many would rather stock more cows just to be able to say they have x cows milking ha.

49801

Timmaay wrote: »

Agreed, also how good do you think the existing system is, ie could you squeeze that sort of saving out if it by improving efficient, reducing the workload etc? Loads of small things would all add up, existing grass management, silage quality, days at grass, animal losses etc. For many dairyfarmers 9k in savings most certainly could be achieved if they wanted to, but instead how many would rather stock more cows just to be able to say they have x cows milking ha.

Thanks and agreed on the kpi items.
Going to start grass measuring this year
We re not milking bur contract rearing. Last year was our first year and transition year. Bit of a honeymoon last year with the weather.
Problem is shed still has plenty room and would like to see it full:mad:
I think we should keep it as is really. Could prob accommodate more for winter housing if opportunity but for grazing I think things are tight enough as is.

Timmaay

I'm planning on driving on the SR here also post quotas, but I think I'll be holding a rolling stock of forage, likes of a pit of silage or 200bales (outside of my usual winter requirements), this will be for poor weather conditions, likes of spring last yr, or the drought in the summer. Other than I was well under stocked last yr I'd have been buying in a serious about of feed, ok when feed is cheap, but not if its expensive and in very high demand!

bob charles

49801 wrote: »

Thanks and agreed on the kpi items.
Going to start grass measuring this year
We re not milking bur contract rearing. Last year was our first year and transition year. Bit of a honeymoon last year with the weather.
Problem is shed still has plenty room and would like to see it full:mad:
I think we should keep it as is really. Could prob accommodate more for winter housing if opportunity but for grazing I think things are tight enough as is.

would it be a complete no no to offer B&B wintering to another farmer?

49801

bob charles wrote: »

would it be a complete no no to offer B&B wintering to another farmer?

It would really. The cattle would have shared air space. It's agreed that we would not have other herd nos around. Even from just a disease point of view that makes sense. Unless it was one of his brothers cattle ifykwim.