Dairy Chitchat 3

mengele · 17-06-2019 1:15pm

I find giving them a few quid in an envelope at Christmas works wonders with them.

whelan2 · 17-06-2019 1:28pm

mengele wrote: »

I find giving them a few quid in an envelope at Christmas works wonders with them.

Yup. Works here.

jaymla627 · 17-06-2019 1:37pm

Water John wrote: »

A wide range, some very good, I think it depends too on how they are treated by the processor. Some have a rough enough deal.

Processors are having to offer a lot better rates now and can’t be reading the riot act, lorries can’t be got with the improved economy and it’s not a case like in the recession where a transport company if they lost a milk run wouldn’t be able to find alternative work to keep the rig on the road

Timmaay · 17-06-2019 2:40pm

Not bad for cut exactly a month ago, and only got a bag of urea. I don't like doing 2nd cut on the milking block but zero choice here ha.

Mooooo · 17-06-2019 3:26pm

Timmaay wrote: »

Not bad for cut exactly a month ago, and only got a bag of urea. I don't like doing 2nd cut on the milking block but zero choice here ha.

You'll have all your grass cut with the new mower now and and up feeding bales to the cows!

OffalyMedic · 17-06-2019 4:06pm

I'm doing the FRS milking course this week with a plan of doing relief milking and maybe down the line going into dairy on the home farm which hasn't milked since 2007.

I have little to no experience of milking parlor am I going to struggle doing the course? Is it expected you have some knowledge going into it or do they start from scratch?

Any advice at all re what I should look up and read up on over next 2 or so days so I don't stand out like a sore thumb on Thur?

Thanks

Keepgrowing · 17-06-2019 5:28pm

One things certain, growth is slowing. Dropped from 100 to 60 in one week and barely over 40 atm. Rain and kindness needed badly

Timmaay · 17-06-2019 5:38pm

Mooooo wrote: »

You'll have all your grass cut with the new mower now and and up feeding bales to the cows!

OK ill stop now. 13ac more than I had planned this morning haha. I defo still have enough in front of the cows and will do for next few weeks, I'm gonna start pre mowing tomorrow on because topping leaves this mower absolutely distroyed in cowsh1te.

whelan2 · 17-06-2019 5:43pm

Keepgrowing wrote: »

One things certain, growth is slowing. Dropped from 100 to 60 in one week and barely over 40 atm. Rain and kindness needed badly

Notice a rise in temperature today.

liosnagceann75 · 17-06-2019 5:48pm

OffalyMedic wrote: »

I'm doing the FRS milking course this week with a plan of doing relief milking and maybe down the line going into dairy on the home farm which hasn't milked since 2007.

I have little to no experience of milking parlor am I going to struggle doing the course? Is it expected you have some knowledge going into it or do they start from scratch?

Any advice at all re what I should look up and read up on over next 2 or so days so I don't stand out like a sore thumb on Thur?

Thanks

Did the course a couple of years ago. Don't worry about it. It is a combination of the classroom and experience in the parlor. You will be shown the correct way to attach the clusters. I couldn't do it the way they wanted as I always put on the clusters with my right hand. I could never get used to applying the clusters with my left hand when cows were on the left hand side.

To be honest I didn't find the course much benefit but to someone starting off it might be more useful. Best of luck with it

liosnagceann75 · 17-06-2019 5:49pm

liosnagceann75 wrote: »

Did the course a couple of years ago. Don't worry about it. It is a combination of the classroom and experience in the parlor. You will be shown the correct way to attach the clusters. I couldn't do it the way they wanted as I always put on the clusters with my right hand. I could never get used to applying the clusters with my left hand when cows were on the left hand side.

To be honest I didn't find the course much benefit but to someone starting off it might be more useful. Best of luck with it

Ps. Apologies for beating ye in the hurling at the weekend

OffalyMedic · 17-06-2019 5:55pm

liosnagceann75 wrote:

Ps. Apologies for beating ye in the hurling at the weekend

Thanks for the course tips. Please don't mention the hurling I'm only just starting to come out of the depression

liosnagceann75 · 17-06-2019 6:01pm

OffalyMedic wrote: »

Thanks for the course tips. Please don't mention the hurling I'm only just starting to come out of the depression

A tiny bit of revenge for 82!

GrasstoMilk · 17-06-2019 6:46pm

Keepgrowing wrote: »

One things certain, growth is slowing. Dropped from 100 to 60 in one week and barely over 40 atm. Rain and kindness needed badly

Same as

Buford T. Justice XIX · 17-06-2019 7:58pm

OffalyMedic wrote: »

I'm doing the FRS milking course this week with a plan of doing relief milking and maybe down the line going into dairy on the home farm which hasn't milked since 2007.

I have little to no experience of milking parlor am I going to struggle doing the course? Is it expected you have some knowledge going into it or do they start from scratch?

Any advice at all re what I should look up and read up on over next 2 or so days so I don't stand out like a sore thumb on Thur?

Thanks

I did it 3 or 4 years ago, a basic course but covers everything. Iirc, the first day will be about the basics of the milking machine, vacuum pumps, regulators, sanitary traps, milk lines, basic maintenance etc. Have a read of the milking facilities in the link below and get your someone to talk you through it in real life.

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Dairy-Manual-Section3.pdf

They will do a section on correct mixing of teat dips, correct teat spraying/dipping, tubing cows and stuff like that. They'll show you the correct way to prepare a cow for milking, washing, drying, drawing and what to look out for. Then they'll show you the correct way to put on the clusters. I found that very good and I don't have any pains after milking any more.

You'll be carried out to a farm then and shown the different parts in their parlour and wash routines. We were left milk the cows using the new way of putting them on, just take your time and you'll be fine. It'll become a habit after a while, but I still go back to the old way when I'm tired:rolleyes:

You'll have to show them how you milk in a practical exam after a few weeks, they should be able to sort someone out for you if you can't find a neighbour to help. I still remember being told I wasn't using enough paper to dry the cows:o

Don't worry about it, it's just to reinforce what you've learned and correct any mistakes you might have made.

The link below is the Teagasc Dairy Manual, you'll find it handy or you can get a copy from the number in the link below

https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2016/teagasc-dairy-manual.php

And enjoy it, you'll be fine:)

GrasstoMilk · 17-06-2019 9:11pm

Things are looking bleak in America

Mooooo · 17-06-2019 9:19pm

Knee high by the 4th July is the saying here. A lot of ground not planted as well in the states. I saw some commentary where lads were more worried that a spike in prices would see excessive planting next year which would lead to a crash the following year. Some of the insurance schemes they have may reduce losses I think depending on inputs bought etc.
You wouldn't know what trump would do running up to elections with farming states more republican. He's making agri a bigger issue with the EU trade as well

GrasstoMilk · 17-06-2019 9:35pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Knee high by the 4th July is the saying here. A lot of ground not planted as well in the states. I saw some commentary where lads were more worried that a spike in prices would see excessive planting next year which would lead to a crash the following year. Some of the insurance schemes they have may reduce losses I think depending on inputs bought etc.
You wouldn't know what trump would do running up to elections with farming states more republican. He's making agri a bigger issue with the EU trade as well

All the maize around here is yellow with the cold. None of it will be knee high by 4th if July. Unlikely there will be bumper maize crops this year

whelan2 · 17-06-2019 9:38pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

All the maize around here is yellow with the cold. None of it will be knee high by 4th if July. Unlikely there will be bumper maize crops this year

Was it any warmer with you today, could nearly see the grass growing here today . 18 degrees at 6pm

GrasstoMilk · 17-06-2019 9:46pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Was it any warmer with you today, could nearly see the grass growing here today . 18 degrees at 6pm

Yeah there was nice heat there in the afternoon.
My house has insulated plasterboard right the way round and when its warm outside its twice as warm inside. Sitting on the couch here in a polo shirt

straight · 17-06-2019 10:15pm

https://m.independent.ie/business/farming/forestry-enviro/environment/reducing-the-age-cattle-are-finished-among-proposals-in-governments-climate-action-plan-38225397.html

jaymla627 · 17-06-2019 10:53pm

straight wrote: »

https://m.independent.ie/business/farming/forestry-enviro/environment/reducing-the-age-cattle-are-finished-among-proposals-in-governments-climate-action-plan-38225397.html

Lots of contradictions and memarisms, the funny thing is if a sharp jolt was to hit the economy and the likes of thy apple/dell tax money which is propping up the government budgets at the minute was to disappear the above climate action plan would be only fit for lighting the fire.....

Mortelaro · 17-06-2019 11:29pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Was it any warmer with you today, could nearly see the grass growing here today . 18 degrees at 6pm

Beautiful down here in Wicklow today
At the rate grass is growing, we'll soon be classified organic,we've had to put out so little fert

Timmaay · 17-06-2019 11:43pm

Mortelaro wrote: »

Beautiful down here in Wicklow today
At the rate grass is growing, we'll soon be classified organic,we've had to put out so little fert

Got 2 pallets of fert dropped in the yard today just to keep the grass ticking over, a growth rate of 40 is enough to keep us ticking over the rest of the summer (I've well enough silage by now, I had to refuse bales dropped into my yard for 20e each the other day!). However I'm temped to oversow abit of clover into the paddocks I've mowed today. Any suggestions for easiest way to do this, would I get away with spread with the wagtail and wash in with slurry?

Mooooo · 17-06-2019 11:53pm

Need heat down here, growth slow now with 7 days,

Keepgrowing · 18-06-2019 6:54am

Timmaay wrote: »

Got 2 pallets of fert dropped in the yard today just to keep the grass ticking over, a growth rate of 40 is enough to keep us ticking over the rest of the summer (I've well enough silage by now, I had to refuse bales dropped into my yard for 20e each the other day!). However I'm temped to oversow abit of clover into the paddocks I've mowed today. Any suggestions for easiest way to do this, would I get away with spread with the wagtail and wash in with slurry?

You’re some greedy bastard, you’re supposed to buy the bales and pay minimum €25 for them. I got in right bother with the aristocrat and a few others for saying silage will be bought for less than cost of production.

Mortelaro · 18-06-2019 8:24am

Keepgrowing wrote: »

You’re some greedy bastard, you’re supposed to buy the bales and pay minimum €25 for them. I got in right bother with the aristocrat and a few others for saying silage will be bought for less than cost of production.

kevthegaff · 18-06-2019 8:49am

What are lads spreading on grazing ground, are the skipping paddocks etc. I'd imagine after a cut Timmaay would be the best time to spread clover with no wind as a better coverage, slurry probably good idea also

mahoney_j · 18-06-2019 9:09am

kevthegaff wrote: »

What are lads spreading on grazing ground, are the skipping paddocks etc. I'd imagine after a cut Timmaay would be the best time to spread clover with no wind as a better coverage, slurry probably good idea also

Following cows with 3/4 bag protected urea with sulphur (38% n 5% s)

Reggie. · 18-06-2019 9:13am

Timmaay wrote: »

Got 2 pallets of fert dropped in the yard today just to keep the grass ticking over, a growth rate of 40 is enough to keep us ticking over the rest of the summer (I've well enough silage by now, I had to refuse bales dropped into my yard for 20e each the other day!). However I'm temped to oversow abit of clover into the paddocks I've mowed today. Any suggestions for easiest way to do this, would I get away with spread with the wagtail and wash in with slurry?

That would be the easiest but might not be too accurate tho

Mooooo · 18-06-2019 9:17am

kevthegaff wrote: »

What are lads spreading on grazing ground, are the skipping paddocks etc. I'd imagine after a cut Timmaay would be the best time to spread clover with no wind as a better coverage, slurry probably good idea also

Going with 24 2.5 10 here this round. A few paddocks baled that didn't get slurry.

visatorro · 18-06-2019 9:23am

Do people have the milking machines insured?

whelan2 · 18-06-2019 9:33am

visatorro wrote: »

Do people have the milking machines insured?

Is it not included in milking parlour and equipment

Mortelaro · 18-06-2019 9:45am

whelan2 wrote: »

Is it not included in milking parlour and equipment

I'm routinely asked to value it every year as part of that including the bulk tank (not contents) ,that's with Zurich
Could leave it out if I wanted to save €100 a year...

visatorro · 18-06-2019 2:32pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Is it not included in milking parlour and equipment

Iv an auld wreck of a parlour, if I spent say 50k on a new parlour I'd imagine I'd have more valuable equipment

visatorro · 18-06-2019 2:33pm

Mortelaro wrote: »

I'm routinely asked to value it every year as part of that including the bulk tank (not contents) ,that's with Zurich
Could leave it out if I wanted to save €100 a year...

Does it cover break down, major parts?

orm0nd · 19-06-2019 10:06am

2000 gallons/ac of watery slurry going out after heavy first cut (splash plate)

What N uptake could I expect?

straight · 19-06-2019 10:13am

orm0nd wrote: »

2000 gallons/ac of watery slurry going out after heavy first cut (splash plate)

What N uptake could I expect?

I'd say somewhere between 1 and 4 depending on the weather.

ted_182 · 19-06-2019 10:31am

orm0nd wrote: »

2000 gallons/ac of watery slurry going out after heavy first cut (splash plate)

What N uptake could I expect?

Wouldnt even consider it when calculating N for second cut tbh with you

Buford T. Justice XIX · 19-06-2019 11:22am

straight wrote: »

I'd say somewhere between 1 and 4 depending on the weather.

3 units per 1000gallons seems to be the accepted figure

orm0nd · 19-06-2019 11:54am

Thanks guys, most of it is for grazing so I will stick with my original theory of a bag of sweet grass/ac in a few days time..

alps · 20-06-2019 8:52am

Check out this Article I found - https://www.farmersjournal.ie/over-610-new-entrants-to-dairying-469667

Did new entrants avoid Dairygold?

Mooooo · 20-06-2019 9:45am

Weighed the cows yday. Avg weight for whole herd was 540.4kg with 43% 1st calvers and 64% 1st and 2nd. Assuming the i didnt skip any weights when totting them up. Haven't averaged the weight of the mature cow's on their own yet. Range was from 400 for the smallest 1st calver to 728 for the biggest cow. Was surprised by some, those with more capacity weighed heavier even if smaller framed than some of the taller cow's. The first calvers ranged from 400 to 568, she is a fleckveih, the next heaviest fr i think was 538. I thought the herd would be a bit heavier

GrasstoMilk · 20-06-2019 4:16pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Weighed the cows yday. Avg weight for whole herd was 540.4kg with 43% 1st calvers and 64% 1st and 2nd. Assuming the i didnt skip any weights when totting them up. Haven't averaged the weight of the mature cow's on their own yet. Range was from 400 for the smallest 1st calver to 728 for the biggest cow. Was surprised by some, those with more capacity weighed heavier even if smaller framed than some of the taller cow's. The first calvers ranged from 400 to 568, she is a fleckveih, the next heaviest fr i think was 538. I thought the herd would be a bit heavier

What's your maintenance figure on your ebi moo?

Mooooo · 20-06-2019 5:25pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

What's your maintenance figure on your ebi moo?

According to the May report it's €3. Have an 11.5 yr old cow here weighed 706, one daughter will be 4 in Oct weighed 602 and the next daughter will be 3 in Oct and weighed 518. Be interesting as the herd matures what weights may be. The old cow has a maintenance figure of 5. Haven't gone thru em all and of course ebi figures take into account relatives etc so you will have outliers. That old cow is back in calf and has given her weight in solids in other years so would be happy to have more of her. I put it up on icbf anyway, figures may become more accurate the more that are recorded.
Also the two lightest heifers around the 400kg mark, aside from being some of the youngest, both had pneumonia as calves so just shows what effect it can have thru the lifetime of the animal,

greysides · 20-06-2019 5:56pm

Interesting, thought-provoking article.

From Two Bulls, 9 Million Dairy Cows

trixi2011 · 20-06-2019 8:55pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Weighed the cows yday. Avg weight for whole herd was 540.4kg with 43% 1st calvers and 64% 1st and 2nd. Assuming the i didnt skip any weights when totting them up. Haven't averaged the weight of the mature cow's on their own yet. Range was from 400 for the smallest 1st calver to 728 for the biggest cow. Was surprised by some, those with more capacity weighed heavier even if smaller framed than some of the taller cow's. The first calvers ranged from 400 to 568, she is a fleckveih, the next heaviest fr i think was 538. I thought the herd would be a bit heavier

Weighed 50 cows here at the weekend as well got a shock at the weights of some of them .but very interesting exersize
Jersey cows weighing in at 470 to 550 kg
Xreeds from 450 to 650
Fr from 470 to 705
Would of been more of the older cows and less of the younger cows weighed
Could really do with weighing the hole herd to get the average but would be a massive job

C0N0R · 21-06-2019 8:55am

trixi2011 wrote: »

Weighed 50 cows here at the weekend as well got a shock at the weights of some of them .but very interesting exersize
Jersey cows weighing in at 470 to 550 kg
Xreeds from 450 to 650
Fr from 470 to 705
Would of been more of the older cows and less of the younger cows weighed
Could really do with weighing the hole herd to get the average but would be a massive job

Walk over weigh scales at the exit of the parlour job done

C0N0R · 21-06-2019 8:58am

Quick question guys, just doing a few calculations here, the teagasc profit monitor figures for milk production, do they include the cost of rearing Youngstock??

kevthegaff · 21-06-2019 9:06am

C0N0R wrote: »

Quick question guys, just doing a few calculations here, the teagasc profit monitor figures for milk production, do they include the cost of rearing Youngstock??

Probably not!

Dairy Chitchat 3

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