And.........there off

Bass Reeves

Left off the first of the bullocks today. 20 in all and left 4 light yearling off as well. Last year average let off date was towards the end of march hope to drag it back at least two weeks this year.

These bullocks got nothing but silage for the winter and are the heaviest of the stores. I split them in two bunches of ten. The last picture are all friesians it great to have quite cattle that are not running around the place. Left them off into an acre of a large paddock with only pigtails stopping them. They put the brakes on when they saw the wire.

casscass4444

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Left off the first of the bullocks today. 20 in all and left 4 light yearling off as well. Last year average let off date was towards the end of march hope to drag it back at least two weeks this year.

These bullocks got nothing but silage for the winter and are the heaviest of the stores. I split them in two bunches of ten. The last picture are all friesians it great to have quite cattle that are not running around the place. Left them off into an acre of a large paddock with only pigtails stopping them. They put the brakes on when they saw the wire.

Grand sweep of grass under them for this time of year.

Cavanjack

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Left off the first of the bullocks today. 20 in all and left 4 light yearling off as well. Last year average let off date was towards the end of march hope to drag it back at least two weeks this year.

These bullocks got nothing but silage for the winter and are the heaviest of the stores. I split them in two bunches of ten. The last picture are all friesians it great to have quite cattle that are not running around the place. Left them off into an acre of a large paddock with only pigtails stopping them. They put the brakes on when they saw the wire.

Decent looking friesians. They'll be different stock come July. Picked up a few similar over the last couple of weeks averaging 520kg. It'll be a while before they see grass around these parts though!

Base price

It's great to see cattle out this early in the year. I envy your dry ground and grass.
Ground around here is soaked since Doris. I had to restrict a bunch of yearlings back into the yard that were strip grazing 4 acres that didn't get grazed earlier as they were poaching it.

EndaHonesty

*they're

Base price

EndaHonesty wrote: »

*they're

.

rangler1

Base price wrote: »

.

Always think that's a reflection of not getting slapped hard enough in National school for spelling/grammar mistakes....still have the ruler marks on my legs that thought me how to spell.
OH has a science degree and can't spell for nuts...... still got through college

Bass Reeves

casscass4444 wrote: »

Grand sweep of grass under them for this time of year.

Yes way further ahead with grass compared to last year. Chomping at the bit to get cattle out for last 10 days. Three reasons it is so strong under the friesians. Very mild dry winter with strong growth. Got caught last spring with slurry and had about 50K gallons to spread in the autumn, spread it just as we got rain last September. Grazed that paddocks in early October and closed it then. The part you see isin a dip before you hit a fall on other side of dip, there is a good cover of soil in that area.

Cavanjack wrote: »

Decent looking friesians. They'll be different stock come July. Picked up a few similar over the last couple of weeks averaging 520kg. It'll be a while before they see grass around these parts though!

Not all like that CJ, they are around the 500kgs, nothing but silage for the winter was surprised how fleshy they were. Might squeeze some out before August and get QA on them.

Base price wrote: »

It's great to see cattle out this early in the year. I envy your dry ground and grass.
Ground around here is soaked since Doris. I had to restrict a bunch of yearlings back into the yard that were strip grazing 4 acres that didn't get grazed earlier as they were poaching it.

It is not all about the land, a nice bit of land like that around me some not as well looked after. I have it paddocked and can split the paddocks. Would not strip graze this time of year as hungry cattle do damage. That is another reason I would be slow to feed ration in the Spring they would make muck of a huge area around the troughs waiting for you to feed them. Shed is fine and open as well so they tend to have a bit of hair on them.


I had to make a choice was looking at the forecast. Looked a bit mixed for this week. If I did not start getting cattle out cover would be crazy in 2-3 weeks time. As it is a silage paddock that I grazed with weanling in late Novenmber/early December may not be grazed this spring. It is a kind od experiment to see if I get a really good crop of good quality silage around the 25 May. Silage is the key to this game with storing cattle. I am lucky them cattle are in only about 90 days. Wintering cost are about 1 euro/day on silage only with minerals and lime.

I make bale silage and this is one of the reasons. If I had a pit I would be caught in either Spring or Autumn with the high side of the pit having a lot of silage but little demand. I did get caught with having too little silage this year and bought about 65 bales(good year to be buying silage:D) which is about 20% of my usual silage demand. Now I reckon I will have 15-20 left over. What went out yesterday between weanlings and stores will reduce demand by nearly a bale/day. Was using about 18 bales/week will reduce down to 12/week. At that rate I have nearly 5 weeks silage left. However I might have to rehouse in April or May who knows.

yessam

It's nice to see cattle out with a mouthful under them. I hope the weather doesn't get too bad.

Cavanjack

Not all like that CJ, they are around the 500kgs, nothing but silage for the winter was surprised how fleshy they were. Might squeeze some out before August and get QA on them.

Find we'd never have a good enough finish on the fr to finish in July to get the qa on them and it is better to hold onto them for a few more months and get a heavier carcass.

Muckit

We got a sight of rain here last night and it's still milling down. A lot of surface water. How did ye far Bass, did ye escape?

Are you moving cattle every day. Would you still need a trough in each grazing strip

Mooooo

False start!?

Bass Reeves

Got a bit of a a delving overnight and this morning. But have not been to the farm yet. It's 10 miles away. The weanling in the paddock at the back of the house are looking ok so hopefully the rest are as well.

I do not strip graze this time of year , Integrate to give cattle at least three days grass at the time. Most paddocks have troughs in such a way that cattle can be back fenced out of at least 50% of the paddock at the time.

False start not really looking at the forecast there is rain forecast every day and delving every 3-4 days. It a case of getting on with it. I do not want to still have them inside May Eve.

Mooooo

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Got a bit of a a delving overnight and this morning. But have not been to the farm yet. It's 10 miles away. The weanling in the paddock at the back of the house are looking ok so hopefully the rest are as well.

I do not strip graze this time of year , Integrate to give cattle at least three days grass at the time. Most paddocks have troughs in such a way that cattle can be back fenced out of at least 50% of the paddock at the time.

False start not really looking at the forecast there is rain forecast every day and delving every 3-4 days. It a case of getting on with it. I do not want to still have them inside May Eve.

False start only tongue in cheek to the thread title. Agree with you have to work around the weather

Who2

had a lad try to convince me to re-house cattle yesterday. They are happy out, being outside. the autumn born calves have access to both inside and out, i was shocked to see them head off out into pelting rain this morning after they got their meal. The cows had all their calves tucked in under a hawthorn hedge and all got up and stretched real casually when i went checking them. If the ground can carry them they are happier outside, now in saying that il have no issue re-housing if it keeps up.

Bass Reeves

Had a look at them while young lad fed the cattle in the shed. Not a work of art but ground holding up well. Yes when a shower hits them nothing like a friesian to have his back up in the air. One picture show a group in under a ditch. This area is always bare as cattle are always under the tree there during the summer. But happy enough with condition of ground.

cute geoge

For our area the weather does not look too hectic for the next couple of days ,if there were my stock they would be safely still inside .It looks like they will have a good share of that nice grass walked into ground and you end up still rehousing if the weather stays bad.
You look to have mighty ground but the weather does not seem to be playing ball this week!!!

Bass Reeves

cute geoge wrote: »

For our area the weather does not look too hectic for the next couple of days ,if there were my stock they would be safely still inside .It looks like they will have a good share of that nice grass walked into ground and you end up still rehousing if the weather stays bad.
You look to have mighty ground but the weather does not seem to be playing ball this week!!!

When you let cattle out the first 3 days are the hardest. Cattle are unsettled stretching there limbs mad for a gallop etc. I always try to limit them to 3 days grass at the start. Wednesday AM and Thursday PM are poor. But I had to start somewhere. Will battle on. Yes I have good ground but ground conditions are no worse than some Octobers and Novembers I have seen over the years. I struggle on.

Yes it is nice grass but I would have crazy covers in 2-3 weeks time if I do not get out now. Will see how it goes and juge if I wil let more out next weeks end.

PS between last night and up until Friday 60mm of rain forecast around here so I know the weather is against me.

Muckit

There's no denying the benefits of getting spring grass into cattle. It is a highly nutritious feed. There was an article in the IFJ lately that said that the dry matter digestibility is up over 80DMD, protein is over 16% and it has a UFL over 1. Every category of cattle are going to benefit from getting this type of feed into their diet.

The biggest obstacle to overcome is always going to be utilisation. There are the studies done to show the negative effects of spring poaching. A field that can grow 10tonne DM/acre could have it's annual production knocked back by 50% for the rest of the year to 5tonne DM/acre.

Also after all the rain, the DM has to be way down..... can they eat enough of it?

It's definitely a fine balancing act and requires excellent management.

Muckit

We've had very heavy rainfall in this part of the country both day and night for the last week and a half. A lot of surface weather on fields. The water table (what's that?) is unbelievably high here now.

In saying that there is one farmer near here bucking the trend and has a handful of cattle out. I couldn't on my ground. Amazing the difference even within the same parish.

I see many of those that have snippets in the IFJ are finding it heavy going to get cattle to grass.

How are things going with you now Bass, have ground conditions held up?

charolais0153

Muckit wrote: »

We've had very heavy rainfall in this part of the country both day and night for the last week and a half. A lot of surface weather on fields. The water table (what's that?) is unbelievably high here now.

In saying that there is one farmer near here bucking the trend and has a handful of cattle out. I couldn't on my ground. Amazing the difference even within the same parish.

I see many of those that have snippets in the IFJ are finding it heavy going to get cattle to grass.

How are things going with you now Bass, have ground conditions held up?

That's the main advantage of ewes IMO. They don't suit everyone but they complement well with cows

Timmaay

Muckit wrote: »

We've had very heavy rainfall in this part of the country both day and night for the last week and a half. A lot of surface weather on fields. The water table (what's that?) is unbelievably high here now.

In saying that there is one farmer near here bucking the trend and has a handful of cattle out. I couldn't on my ground. Amazing the difference even within the same parish.

I see many of those that have snippets in the IFJ are finding it heavy going to get cattle to grass.

How are things going with you now Bass, have ground conditions held up?

It's not the parish, it's varies hugely from field to field, huge mix here, there are Sandy paddocks I can outwinter stock on no problem, and lower paddocks beside them pure clay and they often don't get grazed until 1/2 way through round2 in mid April.

Bass Reeves

Really struggling this week. However have to soldier on. Because they were fenced tight the first three days they have settled. Really heavy rain here over 2-4'' forecast we will get 4''. Ground will suffer a bit but heavy covers will protect ground. They were left off proper on Sunday onto 4-5 acres of grasx. Utilisation very poor but grass growing very fast on other paddocks. Ground temperatures nearly 3 degrees above normal which is nearly 4 above last year.

Bullocks

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Really struggling this week. However have to soldier on. Because they were fenced tight the first three days they have settled. Really heavy rain here over 2-4'' forecast we will get 4''. Ground will suffer a bit but heavy covers will protect ground. They were left off proper on Sunday onto 4-5 acres of grasx. Utilisation very poor but grass growing very fast on other paddocks. Ground temperatures nearly 3 degrees above normal which is nearly 4 above last year.

Its tough looking at them out in this weather but I saw two bullocks that looked like they had no legs around a ring feeder with gutter actually up to their bellies and another lock of weanlins in gardens with no trace of grass, just muck and yer man throwing meal on top of rocks that the grey crows were picking as much as the cattle.
I don't know about you Bass but to see other lads at that crap made me feel not too sorry for my few that had a bite of grass and a dry lie around the ditches today

Bass Reeves

Bullocks wrote: »

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Really struggling this week. However have to soldier on. Because they were fenced tight the first three days they have settled. Really heavy rain here over 2-4'' forecast we will get 4''. Ground will suffer a bit but heavy covers will protect ground. They were left off proper on Sunday onto 4-5 acres of grasx. Utilisation very poor but grass growing very fast on other paddocks. Ground temperatures nearly 3 degrees above normal which is nearly 4 above last year.

Its tough looking at them out in this weather but I saw two bullocks that looked like they had no legs around a ring feeder with gutter actually up to their bellies and another lock of weanlins in gardens with no trace of grass, just muck and yer man throwing meal on top of rocks that the grey crows were picking as much as the cattle.
I don't know about you Bass but to see other lads at that crap made me feel not too sorry for my few that had a bite of grass and a dry lie around the ditches today

Not a bit sorry for the cattle that are outside they are quite happy. It the field I am worried about. TBH it is not cold rain, it is just it is bucketing out of the heavens.

CloughCasey1

Let out 9more 250kg stumps today. Have to get grass ate before it grows over the walls. ☺

Willfarman

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

Let out 9more 250kg stumps today. Have to get grass ate before it grows over the walls. ☺

I hope you put armbands on them...

CloughCasey1

Willfarman wrote: »

I hope you put armbands on them...

Dry as a cork my friend.

yessam

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

Let out 9more 250kg stumps today. Have to get grass ate before it grows over the walls. ☺

Grand day for it

jimmy G M

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

Dry as a cork my friend.

Clough are you on limestone land over around Headford / Lough Corrib direction? You must have exceptional drainage.

charolais0153

jimmy G M wrote: »

Clough are you on limestone land over around Headford / Lough Corrib direction? You must have exceptional drainage.

Caherlisrane actually lol

CloughCasey1

charolais0153 wrote: »

Caherlisrane actually lol

That hurt bucko!! What happened ye tonight?? Ye get to croker and poop a brick☺

CloughCasey1

jimmy G M wrote: »

Clough are you on limestone land over around Headford / Lough Corrib direction? You must have exceptional drainage.

Ya its very good alright. Need rain every 5 days in summer or it turns yellow and red!

Timmaay

After going to all that effort to empty the slatted shed of dry cows to make room to rehouse the milkers last night, it's lying empty tonight ha! Good complaint to have all the same!

tractorporn

CloughCasey1 wrote:

Let out 9more 250kg stumps today. Have to get grass ate before it grows over the walls. ☺

Timmaay wrote:

After going to all that effort to empty the slatted shed of dry cows to make room to rehouse the milkers last night, it's lying empty tonight ha! Good complaint to have all the same!

Ye boys must be on some serious ground. I wouldnt be a million miles away from muckit and I had to move the meal troughs for the ewes today cos the were ploughing! Land is saturated tis more like a swap than a field. I'd love to be in a position to let cattle out but unless things improve it will be late April before a shed door is opened round here.

Willfarman

Ah if it would only stop raining it amazing what a week does for ground when ya get to this day of the year. I'm generally happy to be out by April 20.

charolais0153

tractorporn wrote: »

Ye boys must be on some serious ground. I wouldnt be a million miles away from muckit and I had to move the meal troughs for the ewes today cos the were ploughing! Land is saturated tis more like a swap than a field. I'd love to be in a position to let cattle out but unless things improve it will be late April before a shed door is opened round here.

We have two (small) pieces of land and only 700 yards between them but the difference is surreal. I'll stick two pics up tomorrow to show the difference

CloughCasey1

Day one over. Loads of rain last night and heavy showers today. No damage done. They are light which works a treat.

Bullocks

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

Day one over. Loads of rain last night and heavy showers today. No damage done. They are light which works a treat.

How high is that fence ?:P

I said

Bullocks wrote: »

How high is that fence ?:P

Near................faraway

Bullocks

I said wrote: »

Near................faraway

I dont know , I wouldnt usually see 3 strands of barbed over sheep wire

CloughCasey1

Bullocks wrote: »

How high is that fence ?:P

I was sitting in van. ☺

I said

Bullocks wrote: »

I dont know , I wouldnt usually see 3 strands of barbed over sheep wire

Ah ted😂

CloughCasey1

9 more out to grass today. Savage drying. Was even able to give a field we finished heavy cattle in back in early Dec two runs of spring tine harrow. Might even re-seed it Monday.

I said

Let a pen out today the week looks good enough great drying last couple of days but

Dunedin

I said wrote: »

Let a pen out today the week looks good enough great drying last couple of days but

But what.......??

charolais0153

Dunedin wrote: »

But what.......??

The anticipation is killing me;)

I said

Dunedin wrote: »

But what.......??

Which?

I said

charolais0153 wrote: »

The anticipation is killing me;)

What?

charolais0153

I said wrote: »

Let a pen out today the week looks good enough great drying last couple of days but

But what

I said

charolais0153 wrote: »

But what

Oh seen that now 😂😂😂