Dairy chit chat II

freedominacup · 30-04-2018 01:47PM

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

Ploughing is verboten...it’s up there with feeding ration to dairy cows. NO NO NO!!
Fym is min tilled into soil, then planted.

I have a paddock needing reseeding. Fym from around 100 round bales of barley straw to be spread. Going on fairly heavy (imo) on 2ha. Conventional wisdom says it must be ploughed. Contractor has a disc seeder that I've used to good effect in the past. Fym is fresh. Only last winters stuff. Is there too much going out for the area? I'd love not to plough as it's as stony as fcuk if fir no other reason. Opinions?

visatorro · 30-04-2018 02:59PM

freedominacup wrote: »

I have a paddock needing reseeding. Fym from around 100 round bales of barley straw to be spread. Going on fairly heavy (imo) on 2ha. Conventional wisdom says it must be ploughed. Contractor has a disc seeder that I've used to good effect in the past. Fym is fresh. Only last winters stuff. Is there too much going out for the area? I'd love not to plough as it's as stony as fcuk if fir no other reason. Opinions?

Dunno, fresh Dung is meant to be bad for pH. And you've the old sward not ploughed aswell it could affect the seed?

whelan2 · 30-04-2018 03:18PM

Anyone using the moocall heat detection system? How's it going?

Buford T. Justice XIX · 30-04-2018 03:22PM

An article about Fonterras current direction and the headwinds slowing them down

Mf310 · 30-04-2018 04:07PM

whelan2 wrote:

Anyone using the moocall heat detection system? How's it going?

Heard off 2 lads its a great job no fails any that it texts u can see the markings of the bull on them .... alot cheaper than moomonitor or the likes

Mf310 · 30-04-2018 04:07PM

I bought 10 calves born in february strong calves just realised they havent been dehorned .. is it too late now to dehorn using gas

Reggie. · 30-04-2018 04:12PM

freedominacup wrote: »

I have a paddock needing reseeding. Fym from around 100 round bales of barley straw to be spread. Going on fairly heavy (imo) on 2ha. Conventional wisdom says it must be ploughed. Contractor has a disc seeder that I've used to good effect in the past. Fym is fresh. Only last winters stuff. Is there too much going out for the area? I'd love not to plough as it's as stony as fcuk if fir no other reason. Opinions?

I sowed a field like that last year. Hard to do it but it turned out alright bar a few bare patches

wrangler · 30-04-2018 05:06PM

visatorro wrote: »

Dunno, fresh Dung is meant to be bad for pH. And you've the old sward not ploughed aswell it could affect the seed?

Fresh dung also takes nitrogen from the soil to rot it, I think I'd be waiting till it was rotten to spread it somewhere else.....you only get the one chance to reseed right and ensure it lasts

Buford T. Justice XIX · 30-04-2018 07:15PM

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

An article about Fonterras current direction and the headwinds slowing them down

And the link for that:rolleyes:

https://www.interest.co.nz/rural-news/93364/keith-woodford-explains-how-peak-cows-peak-milk-and-lack-capital-has-left-fonterra

Burning Tires · 30-04-2018 09:16PM

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

And the link for that:rolleyes:

https://www.interest.co.nz/rural-news/93364/keith-woodford-explains-how-peak-cows-peak-milk-and-lack-capital-has-left-fonterra

Fonterra to buy Glanbia. Everyone is happy.

jaymla627 · 30-04-2018 09:25PM

Burning Tires wrote: »

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

And the link for that:rolleyes:

https://www.interest.co.nz/rural-news/93364/keith-woodford-explains-how-peak-cows-peak-milk-and-lack-capital-has-left-fonterra

Fonterra to buy Glanbia. Everyone is happy.

Maybe that link should be forwarded to Jim and Siobhan, expecting your supplier base to increase supply year on year while paying the lowest price possible, usually ends up with the opposite effect, maybe this year will be a wake-up call with volumes way down and producer moral for loading on extra cows dwindling

Buford T. Justice XIX · 30-04-2018 09:38PM

jaymla627 wrote: »

Maybe that link should be forwarded to Jim and Siobhan, expecting your supplier base to increase supply year on year while paying the lowest price possible, usually ends up with the opposite effect, maybe this year will be a wake-up call with volumes way down and producer moral for loading on extra cows dwindling

Tbh, I don't think it will matter much to Glanbia as yet as there's still large tracts of a land where dairying is much more profitable than beef or tillage. Kerry though aren't far off it's maximum imo.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 30-04-2018 09:41PM

whelan2 wrote: »

Anyone using the moocall heat detection system? How's it going?

Grass2milk is using it iirc?

GrasstoMilk · 01-05-2018 08:39AM

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

Grass2milk is using it iirc?

Yep have it on the heifers.
Very happy with it. On day 12 here of breeding and have 6 heifers from the bunch left to serve. Probably wasn't very fair on him to estrumate what was left after day 7 but he seems to be coping well!
I put scratch cards on the heifers just for myself for picking out heifers in the yard and in case the young teaser wasn't able but he picked each one of them up.
It should really come into its own now for the repeats when it's harder to pick them up.

If you're going letting a bull in after the first 3 weeks it wouldn't be of much benefit I reckon

mahoney_j · 01-05-2018 09:33AM

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Yep have it on the heifers.
Very happy with it. On day 12 here of breeding and have 6 heifers from the bunch left to serve. Probably wasn't very fair on him to estrumate what was left after day 7 but he seems to be coping well!
I put scratch cards on the heifers just for myself for picking out heifers in the yard and in case the young teaser wasn't able but he picked each one of them up.
It should really come into its own now for the repeats when it's harder to pick them up.

If you're going letting a bull in after the first 3 weeks it wouldn't be of much benefit I reckon

Sounds a great job but I wouldn’let off the bull with it on till day 10 if on a sync programme.from day 10 on when most are served is when it’s most beneficial .be no problem picking up heats for first 10 days and I’d be worried of bull getting injured or burnt out

GrasstoMilk · 01-05-2018 10:19AM

mahoney_j wrote: »

Sounds a great job but I wouldn’let off the bull with it on till day 10 if on a sync programme.from day 10 on when most are served is when it’s most beneficial .be no problem picking up heats for first 10 days and I’d be worried of bull getting injured or burnt out

I've got 3 teasers so been switching them around to stop them wearing them selves out.
The lad that's with them now will stay with them for the summer as majority are done and he'll only have to pick up the few repeats

Timmaay · 01-05-2018 11:02AM

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

If you're going letting a bull in after the first 3 weeks it wouldn't be of much benefit I reckon

This is my conclusion of the most of these technology aids, I'm doing 3 intense weeks AI at the minute, I even have my relief milker in in the mornings this week (who happened to be on study week and glad of the excuse to escape the desk ha), while he milks I check all the cows, heifers etc, and get them drafted out.

mahoney_j · 01-05-2018 11:20AM

Timmaay wrote: »

This is my conclusion of the most of these technology aids, I'm doing 3 intense weeks AI at the minute, I even have my relief milker in in the mornings this week (who happened to be on study week and glad of the excuse to escape the desk ha), while he milks I check all the cows, heifers etc, and get them drafted out.

I thought about one but opted out ,first 10/12 days if syncing are no bother as that’s when there’s most activity .once 99% plus served and activity drops off that’s where teasers/bulls and technology come into there own

Gawddawggonnit · 01-05-2018 12:07PM

freedominacup wrote: »

I have a paddock needing reseeding. Fym from around 100 round bales of barley straw to be spread. Going on fairly heavy (imo) on 2ha. Conventional wisdom says it must be ploughed. Contractor has a disc seeder that I've used to good effect in the past. Fym is fresh. Only last winters stuff. Is there too much going out for the area? I'd love not to plough as it's as stony as fcuk if fir no other reason. Opinions?

As others have commented, I’d be cautious.
There’s loads of mean nasty ugly things that would relish the cover of a thatch of dung...slugs, leatherjackets etc.
Strawy dung does take quite a bit of N to break down. Not good.

Heavy disc the old sod to about 4” and plant whatever way. Fym in the autumn.

Timmaay · 01-05-2018 12:08PM

Anyone know the rough economics of having your own agitator against just letting the contractor on with it? Our one here on its last legs, and last few times the contractor in to spread slurry I've been caught out with various issues with it, which is more hardship I do not need during the spring. If I'm to replace it I'll probably get the likes of a new or nearly new nc3000, which I would hope will be alot easier to put on the tractor and throw into the tank to mix. The ideal alternative would be just to let the contractor mix up the tank also, however this isn't always practical especially with narrow weather windows and say when I can only manage to suck 2 or 3 foot out of the tank, so the price will quickly rack up to get in the contractor to send two separate runs to mix up then spread.

Gawddawggonnit · 01-05-2018 12:11PM

21mm yesterday and last night with more forecasted for tomorrow.
Need to knock a good few more acres asap to get ready for maize. Maybe tomorrow afternoon...

MF290 · 01-05-2018 04:20PM

Timmaay wrote: »

Anyone know the rough economics of having your own agitator against just letting the contractor on with it? Our one here on its last legs, and last few times the contractor in to spread slurry I've been caught out with various issues with it, which is more hardship I do not need during the spring. If I'm to replace it I'll probably get the likes of a new or nearly new nc3000, which I would hope will be alot easier to put on the tractor and throw into the tank to mix. The ideal alternative would be just to let the contractor mix up the tank also, however this isn't always practical especially with narrow weather windows and say when I can only manage to suck 2 or 3 foot out of the tank, so the price will quickly rack up to get in the contractor to send two separate runs to mix up then spread.

Agitator costs about 3000? A galvanised one would last a lifetime. Between having to pump slurry across the yard every 6 weeks and the contractor not agitating thick cattle slurry well it's a no brainer for us anyway. If you were dropping 2-3 foot out of the tank and the contractor was coming even dairy stuff would start to get very thick I'd imagine

yewtree · 01-05-2018 05:33PM

Timmaay wrote: »

Anyone know the rough economics of having your own agitator against just letting the contractor on with it? Our one here on its last legs, and last few times the contractor in to spread slurry I've been caught out with various issues with it, which is more hardship I do not need during the spring. If I'm to replace it I'll probably get the likes of a new or nearly new nc3000, which I would hope will be alot easier to put on the tractor and throw into the tank to mix. The ideal alternative would be just to let the contractor mix up the tank also, however this isn't always practical especially with narrow weather windows and say when I can only manage to suck 2 or 3 foot out of the tank, so the price will quickly rack up to get in the contractor to send two separate runs to mix up then spread.

Was in the same situation myself last year. Decided to not replace it. Wouldn't bother with it again. With trailing shoes and pipes can always spread a good bit of slurry. Contractor does it now, not expensive to mix tanks.

alps · 01-05-2018 05:52PM

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

21mm yesterday and last night with more forecasted for tomorrow.
Need to knock a good few more acres asap to get ready for maize. Maybe tomorrow afternoon...

Got caught in that yesterday Dawg, and then it started snowing...went from 20 on Sat to 1.5 on Monday. Stuck in Calais till this am due to weather and now may not get across to Dublin tonight, was due home today, starting AI tomorrow morning...Ah well...good to get the feet up...

visatorro · 01-05-2018 06:07PM

Timmaay wrote: »

Anyone know the rough economics of having your own agitator against just letting the contractor on with it? Our one here on its last legs, and last few times the contractor in to spread slurry I've been caught out with various issues with it, which is more hardship I do not need during the spring. If I'm to replace it I'll probably get the likes of a new or nearly new nc3000, which I would hope will be alot easier to put on the tractor and throw into the tank to mix. The ideal alternative would be just to let the contractor mix up the tank also, however this isn't always practical especially with narrow weather windows and say when I can only manage to suck 2 or 3 foot out of the tank, so the price will quickly rack up to get in the contractor to send two separate runs to mix up then spread.

I don't have one. New redrock was 4100. Tbh it would be handy but if you've enough water in tanks and contractor has no issue mixing, maybe leave him at it. If he is going with dribble bar at least he can't blame you if it is not mixed up enough!

Timmaay · 01-05-2018 07:14PM

New nc3000 4100 also, and 300e for a transfer pipe and fittings. Hmm yeh think I'll put it on the long finger and see how I get on with using the contractor next time, that's the easy way out and keeping in line with my one golden rule, KISS.

Mooooo · 01-05-2018 07:17PM

Got agitator here no tanker, have 4 smaller tanks that need transferring anyway. Contractor charges about 100 an hour comes three or 4 times a year. If he was agitating for 2 hours each time twud be 800 a year.? I have it mixed when he comes so he is rolling out and spreading straight away

whelan2 · 01-05-2018 07:39PM

Have a slurry pump. Need it with the set up we have.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 03-05-2018 09:52PM

I made a right fcuk up today. We have a first communion on Saturday so I said I'd do some of Saturdays jobs today like topping up the teat dip and vacuum pump oils and checking the short pulse tubes and all that sort of stuff.

Anyway, I spotted the milk tank detergent pumps running low so I said I'd top them up too. So I put on my gloves and read the writing on the 10L drum I left for second, caustic wash, and went to fill the other drum.

So I went over to the caustic drum and started filling. A few pumps and a big shot of caustic mist shot up from the drum after mixing with the acid already in the drum. Backed off after taking a good whiff of the mist but luckily no burns so I dumped and washed the drum and refilled with caustic this time.

I was starting to have a bit of a strain catching my breath but I didn't take too much notice but it wasn't just the fright and wasn't improving so I rang the doctor and spent an hour and a half on a nebuliser with Ventalin followed by a steroid. Not too bad now but I god a bad fright, I can tell you.

Next job now is buying a mask for dealing with detergents.

Be careful with that stuff, folks, it's dangerous sh!t:o

Is it 2019 yet?

whelan2 · 03-05-2018 09:54PM

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

I made a right fcuk up today. We have a first communion on Saturday so I said I'd do some of Saturdays jobs today like topping up the teat dip and vacuum pump oils and checking the short pulse tubes and all that sort of stuff.

Anyway, I spotted the milk tank detergent pumps running low so I said I'd top them up too. So I put on my gloves and read the writing on the 10L drum I left for second, caustic wash, and went to fill the other drum.

So I went over to the caustic drum and started filling. A few pumps and a big shot of caustic mist shot up from the drum after mixing with the acid already in the drum. Backed off after taking a good whiff of the mist but luckily no burns so I dumped and washed the drum and refilled with caustic this time.

I was starting to have a bit of a strain catching my breath but I didn't take too much notice but it wasn't just the fright and wasn't improving so I rang the doctor and spent an hour and a half on a nebuliser with Ventalin followed by a steroid. Not too bad now but I god a bad fright, I can tell you.

Next job now is buying a mask for dealing with detergents.

Be careful with that stuff, folks, it's dangerous sh!t:o

Is it 2019 yet?

you seem to be very unlucky on the farm. Hope you're ok

Dairy chit chat II

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