Dairy chit chat II

Buford T. Justice XIX · 15-09-2017 08:53PM

Scanned here today but haven't dug down through the figures yet but delighted with the level of incalf cows over last years figures. We should have doubled the number calving in Feb next year over last year, the lowest here since I took over. And most of the March cows are calving in the first 2 weeks as well.

Still some work to do on heifers as we got poorer heats and CRs than expected but I can concentrate more on them this coming 8 months now that I know the back is broken of the slow slippage in CR each year for the last 5 or 6 years.

Happy out tonight:)

Water John · 15-09-2017 09:26PM

I see a few lads here under the false impression that all committee and board members buy most of their supplies from their coop.
A bit naive there.

awaywithyou · 15-09-2017 09:27PM

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

Scanned here today but haven't dug down through the figures yet but delighted with the level of incalf cows over last years figures. We should have doubled the number calving in Feb next year over last year, the lowest here since I took over. And most of the March cows are calving in the first 2 weeks as well.

Still some work to do on heifers as we got poorer heats and CRs than expected but I can concentrate more on them this coming 8 months now that I know the back is broken of the slow slippage in CR each year for the last 5 or 6 years.

Happy out tonight:)

Falling around the place in listowel tonight so....

GrasstoMilk · 16-09-2017 12:12AM

Floki wrote: »

Would you not take off the topsoil before putting down the roadway?

You'd always have a need for some topsoil.
It would be handy to have a pile left somewhere for when you need it.
I had a good pile here for a few years and it's nearly gone now.

If you were living in the town and buying it per the bag you'd be glad of it.:)

We skimmed a bit off with the tractor. Got to rock in one bit but the rest you could go down 14 inches before you hit sub soil. I'd only have to bring in more stone.
Just a 50 m road to straighten the walk for the cows. Will never be any machinery on it with the old concrete road beside it. I've a bank to dig out next spring. Be plenty of soil off that

Buford T. Justice XIX · 16-09-2017 10:38AM

awaywithyou wrote: »

Falling around the place in listowel tonight so....

Nah, half stripped the pit ready for a bit of silage today.

Better for my health and pocket:D

Buford T. Justice XIX · 16-09-2017 10:40AM

This might suit someone here, half the cost of upgrading vacuum and milk pumps to variable drive machines to reduce electricity use.

http://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/reducing-electricity-costs-80-dairy-farms-to-benefit-from-e250000-pilot-scheme/

A total of 80 dairy farms are set to benefit from a €250,000 pilot scheme aimed at reducing energy use and saving on electricity costs.

Timmaay · 16-09-2017 10:47AM

Anyone know the rough economics of a variable speed pump? Will it payback in like 5 yrs with lower electricity use?

Keepgrowing · 16-09-2017 12:22PM

Timmaay wrote: »

Anyone know the rough economics of a variable speed pump? Will it payback in like 5 yrs with lower electricity use?

Can't give figures but it would be an essential for a parlour id be building. Much gentler on milk resulting in higher fat in milk test. Our experience

kevthegaff · 16-09-2017 01:03PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Can't give figures but it would be an essential for a parlour id be building. Much gentler on milk resulting in higher fat in milk test. Our experience

Was considering it for new parlour but technician maintains three phase is better with it

blackdog1 · 16-09-2017 01:12PM

Silage results in first cut on 12th may 76 dmd 16.5 protein
2nd cut start of july 75dmd 17.2 protein

whole crop wheat is 22% starch 12 protein 65dmd. this was undersown with grass. probably should have left it another week. was hoping for 24 % starch. im adding crimp wheat and maize to the cows diet for the winter. happy though shouldn't need any soya in the diet so there is 1 less cost.

Keepgrowing · 16-09-2017 01:15PM

kevthegaff wrote: »

Was considering it for new parlour but technician maintains three phase is better with it

No 3 phase here and it still works. Some kinda magic box on the wall with pump controls. As much as I know about it

kowtow · 16-09-2017 02:52PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Can't give figures but it would be an essential for a parlour id be building. Much gentler on milk resulting in higher fat in milk test. Our experience

Do you need three phase - and, if you don't - do you need an inverter (i.e. fake three phase)..

Was talking to ATL the other day and he mentioned about 2.5k for the whole thing.

Edit: ok read your reply above. The magic box is the inverter.

blackdog1 · 16-09-2017 03:30PM

kowtow wrote:

Do you need three phase - and, if you don't - do you need an inverter (i.e. fake three phase)..

kowtow wrote:

Was talking to ATL the other day and he mentioned about 2.5k for the whole thing.

kowtow wrote:

Edit: ok read your reply above. The magic box is the inverter.

Was talking to a serviceman and he said there wouldn't be much benefit for me as I have a 10 unit on a diaphragm pump. It's more for the 16 plus unit guys.

kevthegaff · 16-09-2017 09:50PM

kowtow wrote:

Do you need three phase - and, if you don't - do you need an inverter (i.e. fake three phase)..

kowtow wrote:

Was talking to ATL the other day and he mentioned about 2.5k for the whole thing.

kowtow wrote:

Edit: ok read your reply above. The magic box is the inverter.

Gascoigne 6k and delaval around the same I think, I'd be interested but he put me off with the 3 phase crack! Kg how long have you it in, and how much would it affect fat and electricity bills?

Keepgrowing · 17-09-2017 10:57AM

Easy like Sunday morning

Gawddawggonnit · 17-09-2017 11:02AM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Easy like Sunday morning

Sunday brunch after a couple of hours of strolling around the countryside...

What's that green stuff?

kowtow · 17-09-2017 11:36AM

blackdog1 wrote: »

Was talking to a serviceman and he said there wouldn't be much benefit for me as I have a 10 unit on a diaphragm pump. It's more for the 16 plus unit guys.

I have an unused diaphragm pump but have never been able to figure out how milk release is controlled - isn't the pump operating all the time from the same drive as the vacuum pump or does it have a separate motor? Have heard of people using an electric pump for washing only for the extra power.

In the meantime Ive got one of those one of those stainless steel de Laval receivers with the integrated milk pump coming so the diaphragm pump will probably remain in the shed.

Panch18 · 17-09-2017 11:45AM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Easy like Sunday morning

What's the story there? Spare grass on out farm??

Keepgrowing · 17-09-2017 11:50AM

Panch18 wrote: »

What's the story there? Spare grass on out farm??

Grass from 24 acres of ground cows can't access. Has been cut 3 times but contractor got a zgrazer hence this scene. Will help maintain covers on MP. We would usually bale in Oct and rear calved there in spring. This works well as contractor drops in 2 loads during milking

Keepgrowing · 17-09-2017 01:00PM

Normal service resumed and down to 2 cows in OAD group, lowest it's been all year but will be up to 9 tomorrow as we've a few to join them for a bit of TLC

Mooooo · 17-09-2017 01:02PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Normal service resumed and down to 2 cows in OAD group, lowest it's been all year but will be up to 9 tomorrow as we've a few to join them for a bit of TLC

Do you keep them separate in a close paddock normally or would you runthru parlour with rest and feed but not milk?

darragh_haven · 17-09-2017 01:22PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Grass from 24 acres of ground cows can't access. Has been cut 3 times but contractor got a zgrazer hence this scene. Will help maintain covers on MP. We would usually bale in Oct and rear calved there in spring. This works well as contractor drops in 2 loads during milking

Using a zero grazer here to take off heavy covers but selling the grass to a dairy farmer 4 miles away. Can't keep up to grass this year (Not dairy, just beef here ) and have to keep good grass in front of the bullocks that we are trying to finish before housing.
Hate making bales after August, but still have 2 small fields that a ZG can't operate In, that are getting heavy and will get about 25 bales out of tomorrow or Tuesday.

Keepgrowing · 17-09-2017 01:28PM

Mooooo wrote: »

Do you keep them separate in a close paddock normally or would you runthru parlour with rest and feed but not milk?

Keep seperate and morning milk. Penno cows are in another paddock and milked Tad when we have cows treated etc

the_blue_oval · 17-09-2017 01:50PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Keep seperate and morning milk. Penno cows are in another paddock and milked Tad when we have cows treated etc

Would you not keep the penno cows in the oad group as well?

3 groups of animals to be bringing in for am milking sounds like a bit of a pain..

Panch18 · 17-09-2017 02:01PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Grass from 24 acres of ground cows can't access. Has been cut 3 times but contractor got a zgrazer hence this scene. Will help maintain covers on MP. We would usually bale in Oct and rear calved there in spring. This works well as contractor drops in 2 loads during milking

Handy way of keeping control on the outfarm

If you don't mind me asking is there any change in performance when you go in with the zero grazer? For better or worse

Keepgrowing · 17-09-2017 04:20PM

Panch18 wrote: »

Handy way of keeping control on the outfarm

If you don't mind me asking is there any change in performance when you go in with the zero grazer? For better or worse

Zero change. I always smile when lads say cows perform better with Zgraze, IMO it's an indication of under feeding pre zgraze.

Waffletraktor · 17-09-2017 04:24PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Zero change. I always smile when lads say cows perform better with Zgraze, IMO it's an indication of under feeding pre zgraze.

How many days would zgrazed grass stay 'good'?

Keepgrowing · 17-09-2017 04:27PM

the_blue_oval wrote: »

Would you not keep the penno cows in the oad group as well?

3 groups of animals to be bringing in for am milking sounds like a bit of a pain..

No as a cow with mastitis needs milking tad imv. It's no big deal as we've a good way of moving cows in and out in groups even during milking. It's just a matter of well placed gates and pens.

If they were with OAD cows then OADs would be in and out Tad, not really what we'd want.

Also at milking there's always someone to bring them in and out.

Keepgrowing · 17-09-2017 04:27PM

Waffletraktor wrote: »

How many days would zgrazed grass stay 'good'?

24 hrs

Gawddawggonnit · 17-09-2017 05:09PM

Keepgrowing wrote: »

No as a cow with mastitis needs milking tad imv. It's no big deal as we've a good way of moving cows in and out in groups even during milking. It's just a matter of well placed gates and pens.

If they were with OAD cows then OADs would be in and out Tad, not really what we'd want.

Also at milking there's always someone to bring them in and out.

Agree mastitics need milking tad.
Are you doing an experiment with oad v tad?

Dairy chit chat II

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