Dairy Chit Chat- Please read Mod note in post #1

Mooooo · 26-09-2016 10:15PM

I don't know tbh, with regard to price the markets will adjust whatever time length it will take and with loads of grain oil cheap it may go back to 30 but I don't see it going far beyond it. Again economies aren't strong so what happens in politics could send things in a spin again on the demand side.
With regard to climate enviro issue's, should we take the lead and go for an all island gm free ag industry as freedom suggested, perhaps it's probably the only way of capturing a market for ourselves but getting any benefits to trickle down to us the primary producer will always be the issue. Also the EU may well force us down routes with nitrates etc but with so many vested interests and our issues of the cost of land and finance compared to most of the rest of Europe it's hard to know how things will pan out.
Still I guess it's one year in to the new world with more or less unfettered production from Europe coinciding with a lot of political and economical change so no point building the arc yet but try and see how things will pan out and position for it

Keepgrowing · 27-09-2016 07:56AM

Mooooo wrote: »

I don't know tbh, with regard to price the markets will adjust whatever time length it will take and with loads of grain oil cheap it may go back to 30 but I don't see it going far beyond it. Again economies aren't strong so what happens in politics could send things in a spin again on the demand side.
With regard to climate enviro issue's, should we take the lead and go for an all island gm free ag industry as freedom suggested, perhaps it's probably the only way of capturing a market for ourselves but getting any benefits to trickle down to us the primary producer will always be the issue. Also the EU may well force us down routes with nitrates etc but with so many vested interests and our issues of the cost of land and finance compared to most of the rest of Europe it's hard to know how things will pan out.
Still I guess it's one year in to the new world with more or less unfettered production from Europe coinciding with a lot of political and economical change so no point building the arc yet but try and see how things will pan out and position for it

As years go I really expected it to be a lot worse.
Spring was hard going but we managed to get grazing for some part of every day. Fantastic growing summer with only 60 bales being fed in early July.
Inputs were well back, it's a long time since 18/6/12 could be bought for <€300/tonne. Esb back and also feed costs.
Budgeted for 28c/lite, revised up to 30c now as price slowly rises. Looking at all economies and the commodity prices this cod be a slow/stop start recovery.
Delighted to see Irish processors under pressure for milk supplies. Despite all the extra cows milk supply last week was below the same week last year. Will they learn....,...NO!!!

My plan is to stick to the knitting, work within whatever compliance rules that emerge and most of all strive to improve soil fertility and therefore tonnes of DM into the cows. I really don't see a better way of doing it.

alps · 27-09-2016 07:57AM

https://bizna.co.ke/how-i-make-sh-840000-from-dairy-farming-monthly/

Some interesting thought processes by this man..

Dawggone · 27-09-2016 08:20AM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

As years go I really expected it to be a lot worse.
Spring was hard going but we managed to get grazing for some part of every day. Fantastic growing summer with only 60 bales being fed in early July.
Inputs were well back, it's a long time since 18/6/12 could be bought for <€300/tonne. Esb back and also feed costs.
Budgeted for 28c/lite, revised up to 30c now as price slowly rises. Looking at all economies and the commodity prices this cod be a slow/stop start recovery.
Delighted to see Irish processors under pressure for milk supplies. Despite all the extra cows milk supply last week was below the same week last year. Will they learn....,...NO!!!

My plan is to stick to the knitting, work within whatever compliance rules that emerge and most of all strive to improve soil fertility and therefore tonnes of DM into the cows. I really don't see a better way of doing it.

Boys ground?

The IGA held an open day on the Cork/Kerry mts, I wonder how the €3k+/ha drainage will hold up with this weather? Farms like that will feel the effect of climate change sooner.

Funny how I farm 800km further south than you and no rain whatsoever...Climate change?

Keepgrowing · 27-09-2016 09:07AM

Dawggone wrote: »

Boys ground?

The IGA held an open day on the Cork/Kerry mts, I wonder how the €3k+/ha drainage will hold up with this weather? Farms like that will feel the effect of climate change sooner.

Funny how I farm 800km further south than you and no rain whatsoever...Climate change?

Climate change......mmmmm
Ireland is a wet hoor of a place, Keery is a wetter hoor of a place. The €3k/ha wasn't just needed as a result of recent wetter springs, it was needed 100 yrs ago but the technology to do large area didn't exist back then. Btw, you'll find they're getting grass into cows away. No excuses offered there

whelan2 · 27-09-2016 09:29AM

http://www.farmersjournal.ie/almost-4-500-irish-farmers-apply-for-milk-reduction-scheme-227459

Mooooo · 27-09-2016 09:46AM

Grazing ground drained, well drained again, 5/ 6 years ago at the min and it's just about holding up solely due to the fact this week we have escaped the rain on the coast. This was deep drains along with about 7 acred dug up in heaps and leveled out with a dozer to change yhe fall somewhat. If that wasn't done that ground would be written off at the minute but so far anyway drainage is an ongoing project, with new drains or repairs needed in the same ground after a certain period otherwise it reverts to previous conditions. There is what some lads would consider poaching but it's currently acceptable damage imv to get the grass used. Have 20 acres we won't get into again this year maybe with calves if I give them the run of it. But that field has been drained numerous times but a high water table and slow movement of rain thru the "topsoil" along with it being more or less flat means it's essentially long dry periods which make it usable. Going forward if I was ever to stock the place with just cows and winter feed etc coming from elsewhere that 20 acres could not be counted as it's just too unreliable in wet years. Currently take silage off it in summer and a graze either side of that is a bonus. Drainage is important but like a lot of things by the time the return is seen you have to go at it again

jaymla627 · 27-09-2016 09:52AM

whelan2 wrote: »

http://www.farmersjournal.ie/almost-4-500-irish-farmers-apply-for-milk-reduction-scheme-227459

74 odd million litres that irish processors are potential going to be down, with the weather after turning to crap in large swathes over the country, you can be sure their is now going to be a massive uptake by irish lads on predicted volumes. ....
Their going to have to come with another 3-4 cent by November to even try and turn lads from taking up the 14 cent, going to be Intresting to see how this plays out

yewtree · 27-09-2016 10:10AM

Ground conditions are very marginal here at the moment cows are still out but coming back in after 3-4 hours grazingv in the evening/ out all day, i just leave the wire open and they walk up themselves. clean out isn't great but no major damage done yet.I could really do with a dry spell to tidy up paddocks and get last of slurry spread , usually follow cows from now on but most of paddocks are too wet after grazing.
Also anyone here prices of cull cows, my usually buyer here offered €350 for a group of 6+ lactation cows. are they that bad?

Mooooo · 27-09-2016 10:17AM

Umbilical contractor on way here tomorrow to cover a bit of ground, best way to go in soft conditions imo. Will be a bit more.expensive than the spring due to the fact that in spring generally it's point in a direction and cover the whole lot whereas now it'll be pieces here and there which means more time rolling pipes instead of spreading

Mooooo · 27-09-2016 10:19AM

I think in the mart thread cows with a bit of frame and cover were going for 800 down to 300 for very thin cows. If in good knick could be worth a punt at the mart, surely get more than 350 anyway

Waffletraktor · 27-09-2016 10:23AM

Mooooo wrote: »

Grazing ground drained, well drained again, 5/ 6 years ago at the min and it's just about holding up solely due to the fact this week we have escaped the rain on the coast. This was deep drains along with about 7 acred dug up in heaps and leveled out with a dozer to change yhe fall somewhat. If that wasn't done that ground would be written off at the minute but so far anyway drainage is an ongoing project, with new drains or repairs needed in the same ground after a certain period otherwise it reverts to previous conditions. There is what some lads would consider poaching but it's currently acceptable damage imv to get the grass used. Have 20 acres we won't get into again this year maybe with calves if I give them the run of it. But that field has been drained numerous times but a high water table and slow movement of rain thru the "topsoil" along with it being more or less flat means it's essentially long dry periods which make it usable. Going forward if I was ever to stock the place with just cows and winter feed etc coming from elsewhere that 20 acres could not be counted as it's just too unreliable in wet years. Currently take silage off it in summer and a graze either side of that is a bonus. Drainage is important but like a lot of things by the time the return is seen you have to go at it again

That field is text book the heavy land here.
Not sure of rules over there but what would be done here is dig a Large pond to act as a sump in one corner leading off to a drain/stream with a large pipe and one way valve. The drains need to be filled to 1ft off the surface at whatever spacings are required in field to drain the water leading into your sump if drains aren't enough to get rid of water. When it floods it floods but will keep it drier for longer, there are windmill driven water pumps to increase outflow once it reaches 'x' level but it would need regular management rather than conventional dig and forget systems.

stanflt · 27-09-2016 10:45AM

yewtree wrote: »

Ground conditions are very marginal here at the moment cows are still out but coming back in after 3-4 hours grazingv in the evening/ out all day, i just leave the wire open and they walk up themselves. clean out isn't great but no major damage done yet.I could really do with a dry spell to tidy up paddocks and get last of slurry spread , usually follow cows from now on but most of paddocks are too wet after grazing.
Also anyone here prices of cull cows, my usually buyer here offered €350 for a group of 6+ lactation cows. are they that bad?

Sold some only 2weeks back and got 1.10 a kg straight out of the parlour- 1.30 a kg was offered if they were dry

Had an agent in looking at the same stock and he offered me 80c per kg and told me he would be doing me a favour and could give me a cheque there and then

Same agent offered me 850 a piece for 2 overage bulls I was fattening- I got a cheque from the factory this morning for 2478 for the pair

Robbers is all they are

Waffletraktor · 27-09-2016 10:56AM

Waffletraktor wrote: »

This is one on an out farm that was done in the early 80's for a tenant who then contract farmed it for the last 20 years and it was left to go to crap. 2 of the lads are out with old maps of the work and a gps locator to find the old drains with digger to see what's left so to speak.

Can't attach image try later.

whelan2 · 27-09-2016 11:49AM

Mooooo wrote: »

I think in the mart thread cows with a bit of frame and cover were going for 800 down to 300 for very thin cows. If in good knick could be worth a punt at the mart, surely get more than 350 anyway

Just left one cull cow down to the mart, took ages to load her. Point blank refusal to go up ramp of trailer. Will report back price later.

Keepgrowing · 27-09-2016 11:55AM

Mooooo wrote: »

Umbilical contractor on way here tomorrow to cover a bit of ground, best way to go in soft conditions imo. Will be a bit more.expensive than the spring due to the fact that in spring generally it's point in a direction and cover the whole lot whereas now it'll be pieces here and there which means more time rolling pipes instead of spreading

Good man Mooooo, we were about to start empying a lagoon when I read that post. Rang contractor, he's coming next week with pipes and dribble bar. Thank you for making me see sense.
We've never pumped before so he's calling this week to survey and tell us what's required wire wise.

mahoney_j · 27-09-2016 12:03PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Good man Mooooo, we were about to start empying a lagoon when I read that post. Rang contractor, he's coming next week with pipes and dribble bar. Thank you for making me see sense.
We've never pumped before so he's calling this week to survey and tell us what's required wire wise.

Pipes and dribble bar great job ,poor operator can do some damage re application rate and relocating stakes though

Keepgrowing · 27-09-2016 12:09PM

mahoney_j wrote: »

Pipes and dribble bar great job ,poor operator can do some damage re application rate and relocating stakes though

Had a guy booked for this spring but after seeing him in operation on my neighbours, I cancelled. Pure mess, dumping

This guy comes highly recommended

Mooooo · 27-09-2016 12:17PM

I find our guy good in fairness, he has a few customers down here and will ring when he's around most times. I take the lazy route here, he just tacks the wire down to ground level between two posts and ill put it back up when he's done. Neighbour a bit more organised put strainers in middle of boundary wire of paddocks with a gap and the lads take that route but they also suit his stub roadways. Only pulled the wire once here over the years and that was due to rotten posts more than anything. There was a local lad went at it years ago but didn't get many repeat calls so doing it right will keep and get a lad customers too

Keepgrowing · 27-09-2016 01:40PM

Mooooo wrote: »

I find our guy good in fairness, he has a few customers down here and will ring when he's around most times. I take the lazy route here, he just tacks the wire down to ground level between two posts and ill put it back up when he's done. Neighbour a bit more organised put strainers in middle of boundary wire of paddocks with a gap and the lads take that route but they also suit his stub roadways. Only pulled the wire once here over the years and that was due to rotten posts more than anything. There was a local lad went at it years ago but didn't get many repeat calls so doing it right will keep and get a lad customers too

Quoted me €120/HR inc vat. I won't be paying him to move wires at that. He's doing a recci this week to tell what we need to do

whelan2 · 27-09-2016 01:42PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Quoted me €120/HR inc vat. I won't be paying him to move wires at that. He's doing a recci this week to tell what we need to do

Can take a good while to set it all up and dismantle too, we try to do fields around yard as the further you go the longer they will be setting up

Mooooo · 27-09-2016 01:52PM

In spring he goes to furthest point of farm and works his way back, just disconnects pipes as he comes back and reels them up when done. If they are going the one direction they can go fast enough. Obviously if they are heading in different directions it takes more time but that all depends on farm layout and crossing public roads etc

Keepgrowing · 27-09-2016 01:56PM

whelan2 wrote: »

Can take a good while to set it all up and dismantle too, we try to do fields around yard as the further you go the longer they will be setting up

My view is that 3 tankers at €40/HR and they're only actually spreading for a fraction of that HR.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 27-09-2016 02:20PM

whelan2 wrote: »

Just left one cull cow down to the mart, took ages to load her. Point blank refusal to go up ramp of trailer. Will report back price later.

I had 3 cows to go this week, 2 with the dry cattle, so I brought them in with the milkers for the few days. 1 had mastitis yesterday morning and the other had this morning.

Looks they will be with me for a few weeks yet:(

Timmaay · 27-09-2016 02:53PM

Drained all the tanks 10days ago, thank fook. Hopefully we'll get another dry spell before Xmas, and I'll be get afew loads of "soiled water" out, these wet Jan and Februarys have caught us badly last 2 years. Maize was due to be harvested tomorrow, the contract grower said he's cancelling it now because they'll make utter sh1te of the feild/yard/roads, can't blame him 2bh.

Mooooo · 27-09-2016 02:56PM

Seen no maize moving down here in cork yet, bit early up yet no? How's the crop looking?

whelan2 · 27-09-2016 03:25PM

Cow was 600 kg got 600 euro. Straight out of parlour

Dawggone · 27-09-2016 04:41PM

Just listening to local radio and they're reporting that the milk reduction scheme is so well subscribed that there won't be funds for a second tranche...Germans, French and Irish are the largest subscribers.
They were then going to interview a dairy farmers union rep. I switched off...couldn't be listening to the moaning!

RightTurnClyde · 27-09-2016 06:09PM

Mooooo wrote: »

Seen no maize moving down here in cork yet, bit early up yet no? How's the crop looking?

Small amount cut in S Tipp last week

whelan2 · 27-09-2016 06:51PM

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

I had 3 cows to go this week, 2 with the dry cattle, so I brought them in with the milkers for the few days. 1 had mastitis yesterday morning and the other had this morning.

Looks they will be with me for a few weeks yet:(

That's the reason I try and get them straight out the gate.

Dairy Chit Chat- Please read Mod note in post #1

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