Dairy Chitchat 4, an udder new thread.

Its most households now that rely on two incomes, farming or no farming

The group of lads I went to secondary school with all their partners work. Their households couldn't survive on one income. They are teachers, guards work in construction. I am the only fulltime farmer. Cost of living is so high now for everyone.

What kind of a wage would a 100 cow dairy farm provide if all labour and land rent was costed? Remember now that it's time and a half over 39 hours and double time after that. And it's illegal for anybody in the EU to work over 60 hours per week. Add in the bank hols too. I used to get paid treble time when night worked a bank Holiday.

I'd say 150k labour bill and 40-50k land rent. So about 200k before you start with stock, buildings or machinery.

Genuine question . And I'm not interested in the lads blowing shite about being millionaires in waiting.

But genuinely. Kg and everyone else who all know the work and effort that goes into cows .... how does that make people feel when you read that statement. I for one found it a stark one

And here in lies the issue with all farming .trying to explain it all away sure Johnny down the road is struggling too.

It's a great perspective to have on here straight a person who has seen both sides of the fence

I wouldn't think too much of it. Most dairy farm around here are still one income houses, and the wives aren't doing the working the farm of their mother in laws either. Some wives are working for their own personal reasons rather than household financial pressures. Farms have become a lot more streamlined with lower labour requirements over the last generation anyway.

On some farms the wife/partner is important and and an active participant, on many others they aren't relevant.

This isn't meant in the slightest sexist or misogynistic way, it's just the way it is in many situations that I know of. A partner isn't obliged to be involved in the others work above being sympathies and caring as per their rest of the relationship

unfortunately I know loads of people that are

had a cow calf last night for her 7th time with a calving interval of 364 over those seven births- she has averaged 711 kg of milk solids Over her 6 lactations

She has a fertility index of minus 1

No way would I cull her but my point is loads of lads are

The chief here watches alot of auctions online, not as much shite as you used to see. Even plain fr bulls making good money atm. When the flush of calves comes this will change but you don't see nearly the number of **** calves you did 10 years ago. Also a even a good fr is still a poor animal. Just out of interest what breed do you suggest for a better calf? All the dual purpose breeds over the years don't seem to keep cattle men satisfied either.

If I could clone a herd of this heifer I'd be a happy camper, power and strength, with a good cull value, lots of milk and will throw a great beef calf

nice heifer

With slaughter of calves now banned, what actual harm are lads with jrx cows doing to the industry now?

To be honest the drive to breed smaller cows, resulting in smaller calves and poorer Killout weights, is a not insignificant factor in factories been short on beef, anyone with good sized cull cows now is getting handsomely rewarded, mandating your idea will just give Larry and Co access to more tonnages of meat and we all know what happens if their is a over-supply it crashes the price...

Hmm. Maybe.

There's another factor in that markets are built on a quantity of quality product on offer. If or when that quantity drops or is diluted by inferior product. Then they can look elsewhere. Only thing going for the meat market atm is there doesn't seem to be an elsewhere atm. If that changes then everyone is effected.

Do you realise the energy and transport costs related to taking the extra water out of the milk from high production herds...

Yes I agree with you there that it is what it is but it's a poor reflection on where things are and where we are headed.... big gulf in the top and bottom farms incomes for definite. There's a living and even a return on investment in it if your hard working cute and a little lucky (goes for every business )

Feed efficiency feeding such stock to finish for the factory is also a thing. There's lads looking for the whole country to feed such stock and still have nothing. The holstein, freisian, montbeliarde has higher %'s now than they used to. But with the efficiency of beef production and customers willing to buy again. It's about balance for all. Jersey breeders thought they could have it all themselves and the livestock produce the afterthought which nobody wanted. It was hidden then with black and white colouring to blend in and take advantage of the black and white breeders who had no jersey breeding. The buyers thought they were getting one thing and it turns them against all black and whites. The only thing jersey breeders say they've going for them is milk price. So hit them on milk price.

Heard a interesting story today, big farm supplying lakeland been leased outas a going concern circa 10 miles from us, apparently been taken by a big Tirlain supplier that's a good hours drive from said farm, will be interesting to see what lorry is collecting from it come spring...