I wouldn't believe everything that is said at Solohead farm. They might have cows out in December but that might only be 20 cows. The herd is divided into groups of about 25 max so it's easy keep them out long. Did you see all the gaps with handles on them? That is hardly viable on most farms. They have had some cows in on silage since the start of June with some in full time for a while. So they might not be using fertiliser but they don't have the grass either to keep in front of cows
They've a much lower stocking rate too but I do think there's a place for a hybrid model of say 50% clover, 50% grass, using no N on the clover. It's good to see the grass results across a year, how you can ruin clover by leaving heavier covers over the winter and what happens when no N goes out in spring
Fine place from what photos
I saw alright but only focus is on type and litres, only looking after 2 sides of the triangle from a bit of the booklet I saw
-98 for fertility and - % for solids?
The milk seems a bit watery. The promotion on IHFA said they sold 1.3 million litres. Was expecting more considering the amount of land and concentrates fed.
Yeadh ,I’ll be honest that herd wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but still an outstanding herd ,not your typical grass to milk herd but still churning out a heap of money ,the prices achieved at the sale testament to that I was at the last open day at Radney also a hol herd but bit more commercial orientated
Any breakdown given on what the herd is fed per year re concentrates maize silage tmr etc
I didn't see any doc leaves there, only plenty clover. Fair man for the topping alright though I'd say.
Most of us should be better with yhe topper I'd say...leaving a lot of milk behind this year because we didnt move swifly and early enough...
It's a very small cost..
Don't do any topping here. Forcing the cows to clean out when they're on 3kg is too much of an ask I think.
Topping is a must on every farm ….you don’t do it liveweight gain suffers in beef and milk and solids suffer in dairy
seen where lads force cows to peel paddocks they still have wirey paddocks especially now if some level wasn’t done in last few weeks .I mow surplus paddocks regularly and top when ever it’s needed
Proviso is that here in the south east you can only top when there is going to be rain. I could do with topping now but it would be suicide for growth with no rain on the forecast for ten days
Even here where we've had rain topping is hit and miss this year. Every paddock has been done at least once here so far. Was too wet to top here last week at all.
I do very little topping as land is just too rough to get a low cut.
Back topping with a bang this year- was listening to teagasc saying it was a waste etc however since we went back at it the sward is denser and better quality- cows are milking better and solids are higher- it also allows for spraying of docks at the right stage and an application of trailing shoe
Cows are going into this tonight. Pre mowed last grazing. Lovely leafy stuff. We find pre mowing very good for grass and cows love it
It's unreal the way Maize motors away in the heat
Go away with yer heat. I want rain!!!!!!!
No nothing but I’d say quite a bit
My grass group consider "mechanical removal" to be the last resort. A result of poor grassland management.
I think if you go overboard on taking out surplus paddocks you usually end up feeding them back so it's all extra work on both sides. I have some high ground that can't be baled.
See ireland down .7% and Europe down .6%. As farmers are getting older may be no problem reducing numbers around Europe
Your grass group needs to throw away the rule book …imo every paddock needs to see a mower between end of April and early June and again in July …makes no odds wether mowing surplus ,topping or even pre mowing as last resort ….and if it needs more so be it .a guy local to me who I’d regard as been a very good operator and grass manager but dead set against topping despite always grazing tight has some very hairy paddocks atm ….should of been topping some paddocks last few weeks
Had man out to fix milk tank again today, he said cooling systems are under serious pressure in this weather
Yea right. Tell him to do his job. Haven’t had a technician out to the tank for years…and it does go over 40 from time to time.
When you say ‘this weather’ what temps?
I always find topping with a mower is great to bring life back into paddocks damaged in the spring.
If you only posted that you had hayfever or a toothache dawg would be along to tell you tootaches are worse in france .
But ya whelan tank shouldnt be under pressure in current weather. And youve a plate cooler too havnt you
Ye. My tank is just a disaster
You should get out more..maybe even leave west Cork for an hour or two. Do ya good.
Yes obviously. What make?
Packo
