Since there is quite a number of part time farmers here, it would be beneficial to share some of your bits a pieces of your daily routine to save time. Everyone has a busy time of the year and for me it's late spring
On my side, I'm a suckler and calf to beef farmer, finishing around 80 cattle a year, lucky to have it in one block and one yard.
Time saving varies from season to season but one common trend I find it preparation. Currently at the moment here winter will creep up and a bit of work is taking place to have the yard ready. Having time to get on top a few things really helps. For me over the next few wet days is a small bit of welding repairs, clean a few gutters and fix 2 lights. The big time savers I have found for the winter is having all feed in the yard at the autumn. A home made silage pusher ( has the 4 prong fork gathering dust), a Barrow with 2 wheels for moving meal. Extra buckets are a big help. Having bin outside of the door of the shed where most of the meal is feed. Strip the pit enough for the week ( doesn't always work out exactly. It's an ex dairy farm here and quiet a number of cubicles. 5 years ago I put scrapers in and this is saving over 1.5hrs a week cleaning out. Tams really helped here
I put up a new crush a few years ago in the yard and cattle can be moved easily with one body to do all work, lights over the whole area is a real help. If you wish you can quickly dose some cattle on a dry evening.
While the typical winter feeding is taking place, it's generally a quiet time of the year, prep work takes place for spring and any running repairs on machinery is done( small jobs) everyone has an interest area and its important to foster this, this keeps enjoyment in the job. It might be a small project ( either a small bit of building, outdoor work,what ever takes your fancy)
Spring has changed a bit over the past 5-10 years. Cow numbers have dropped by about 10, calving period has moved from Feb to April and bucket fed calves have increased from 20 to 60. Having a large number of yearlings it makes it easier to get these to grass early and clear the sheds. A few strip wires and small groups of 15-20 works well, but you can only play the weather and ground in front of you. This spring I put an auto feeder in and it has been a game changer on time and rearing. Again Tams help hugely here. You are not watching the watch as much once calves are on going on the feeder. Most of the work with calves is done by the time the cows start calving. A different view on suckler breeding has taken place. My motto is; cow must calf on her own, calf must get up on his own and cow must go back in calf. Early April let's cows go out to calf in a bit of paddock. If weather is bad they are turn back up into the shed for hay. having them outdoors really and watching the feed really helps calving. All bar 2 unassisted this year ( backwards calf and one with ropes that had slowed down). I luck to have a friend that will throw his eyes on the calving cows, and the favour is returned if he goes on holidays or drawing in bales in the summer. The quad is super handy
Summer is just handy gather fodder, or topping or fencing, cattle work etc.
General theme is a bit of planning, staying on top of maintenance as needed, and always doing small improvements. Use of the contractor is vital, but plenty notice is key here. Getting as much stuff you need delivered is key and being prepared for the Saturday is vital. Doesn't always go to plan but it helps. A short to do list is handy with urgent, medium term and long term. I use keep notes on the phone and tick it off.
Paperwork, use herdwatch for most things and keep it updated as I go, and of late suppliers have moved to paperless which is fantastic.
Sunday is day off here, bar the basics of checking stock or having fodder to be gathered, it's a day off. I have never in 20 years spread slurry, put out fertiliser, or dosed cattle on a Sunday. It's vital to take that time. Often Sundays herding takes a bit longer as I often slow down to soak in the surroundings of the seasons and watching stock graze. It's good for the mind.
