Dairy Chitchat 3

Gawddawggonnit · 17-08-2018 9:54pm

Daughter likes this pic that she took a few weeks back...

Reggie. · 17-08-2018 9:56pm

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

Daughter likes this pic that she took a few weeks back...

Jaysus that horse does a fair bit of damage

alps · 18-08-2018 12:45am

Drought thread closed, but I don't think it's over. Looks like the south and east will miss out on the rain Saturday night. The whole area could badly do with it, growth still extremely sluggish in pockets.

gozunda · 18-08-2018 2:21am

alps wrote: »

Drought thread closed, but I don't think it's over. Looks like the south and east will miss out on the rain Saturday night. The whole area could badly do with it, growth still extremely sluggish in pockets.

Water table has dropped again this week....

Say my name · 18-08-2018 7:28am

gozunda wrote: »

Water table has dropped again this week....

Also anyone any experience of the seaweed granular fertilizer sold by Shamrock that comes from Iceland?

It claims to toughen the grass sod with grass roots growing longer and improved drought resistance.
200kgs spread in year one will last 5 years.

RightTurnClyde · 18-08-2018 8:11am

Say my name wrote: »

Anyone any experience of seaweed foliar spray on grass?
Even better if anyone has experience with mycorrhizal liquid spray.
Be the tops if you've used them together.

I'm going trying it out tomorrow.
(Well just the seaweed spray on silage ground).

It's as on topic as some of the posts here.

Local contractor was talking about seaweed spray a few weeks ago. Back 20+ yrs ago they used to spray all their beet with it. Because of the bad spring they used it again this year on the beet and the spring corn. He's after getting great results from it. Very tempted to try it on some paddocks.
It's costing something like 10€/ acre for the spray?

whelan2 · 18-08-2018 8:41am

alps wrote: »

Drought thread closed, but I don't think it's over. Looks like the south and east will miss out on the rain Saturday night. The whole area could badly do with it, growth still extremely sluggish in pockets.

I think the thread should be reopened. I reported a post in it yesterday. Thought it was below the belt seeing as the poster bring referred to in it had already closed his account. The fodder crisis thread is still open. I understand lads are under pressure and it's good to be able to offload things online that you wouldn't be able to do otherwise.

GrasstoMilk · 18-08-2018 8:46am

Say my name wrote: »

Also anyone any experience of the seaweed granular fertilizer sold by Shamrock that comes from Iceland?

It claims to toughen the grass sod with grass roots growing longer and improved drought resistance.
200kgs spread in year one will last 5 years.

We spread phisolith here. Supposed to do what you're saying and increases worm activity aswell. Our soil is a lot better since we started using it 5/6 yrs ago

Waffletraktor · 18-08-2018 8:51am

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

We spread phisolith here. Supposed to do what you're saying and increases worm activity aswell. Our soil is a lot better since we started using it 5/6 yrs ago

Id argue it's the copious amounts of poo in solid rather than liquid form giving the worms a bit of grub when there's not much grass residues to munch on you apply. Like anything if there's not grub there to feed on anything applied is a waste imo.

Snowfire · 18-08-2018 9:13am

Always great when the milk cheque is a few quid more than I was expecting. Every little helps.... unfortunately feed and fert reps will do a lot of harm this month too.

gozunda · 18-08-2018 10:13am

Say my name wrote: »

Also anyone any experience of the seaweed granular fertilizer sold by Shamrock that comes from Iceland?

It claims to toughen the grass sod with grass roots growing longer and improved drought resistance.
200kgs spread in year one will last 5 years.

No havn't used it tbh. My one concern would be high salt levels. Couldn't find any Info on field trials under Irish conditions.

Say my name · 18-08-2018 11:15am

gozunda wrote: »

No havn't used it tbh. My one concern would be high salt levels. Couldn't find any Info on field trials under Irish conditions.

The big draw on the like of this stuff is the increase in protein % in grass/silage.

You only have to look at the results of farmers near the coast getting the sky high results to see there must be something in it.
It something like the increase in biological life from sea based products that makes more natural magnetite that makes more nitrogen.

In the U.S. they'd be big user's of fish emulsions humates.

Say my name · 18-08-2018 11:46am

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

Local contractor was talking about seaweed spray a few weeks ago. Back 20+ yrs ago they used to spray all their beet with it. Because of the bad spring they used it again this year on the beet and the spring corn. He's after getting great results from it. Very tempted to try it on some paddocks.
It's costing something like 10€/ acre for the spray?

I was robbed so!

It's costing me 15/acre.

I was looking for some Croplift and that was out of stock. There was a phosphorus alternative but thought better of it so went looking for the seaweed spray as it should help below ground. The Croplift and the other would have been 5/acre.

Nekarsulm · 18-08-2018 3:24pm

Anyone on here use a hover-board in the parlour?

https://youtu.be/I5x1wzgqrUs

whelan2 · 18-08-2018 3:36pm

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Anyone on here use a hover-board in the parlour?

https://youtu.be/I5x1wzgqrUs

Might be useful this evening busted my shin earlier

Dakota Dan · 18-08-2018 4:04pm

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Anyone on here use a hover-board in the parlour?

https://youtu.be/I5x1wzgqrUs

Is this what Ed Sheeran is doing now ðŸ˜€ðŸ˜€ðŸ˜€

simx · 18-08-2018 8:21pm

Anybody get prices on cubicles and mats lately? Need a shot of them soon

Buford T. Justice XIX · 18-08-2018 9:36pm

Today's Greenfields update.
https://twitter.com/dfogarty6/status/1030798618335367168?s=19

kevthegaff · 18-08-2018 10:18pm

The new guy seems pretty clued in, he might get some rein now swing jk etc might be losing interest

Gawddawggonnit · 19-08-2018 4:39am

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

Local contractor was talking about seaweed spray a few weeks ago. Back 20+ yrs ago they used to spray all their beet with it. Because of the bad spring they used it again this year on the beet and the spring corn. He's after getting great results from it. Very tempted to try it on some paddocks.
It's costing something like 10€/ acre for the spray?

Used seaweed extract on sbeet for many years. Also used a large amount of micro elements on beet and cereals. Don’t use any now because with all the fym being recycled through the land, I don’t need them...I’d only use sulfur now after a wet winter/spring.
Having to constantly use micro elements is a consequence of depending too much on artificial fert. and slurry.

Gawddawggonnit · 19-08-2018 4:40am

Waffletraktor wrote: »

Id argue it's the copious amounts of poo in solid rather than liquid form giving the worms a bit of grub when there's not much grass residues to munch on you apply. Like anything if there's not grub there to feed on anything applied is a waste imo.

+1.

Gawddawggonnit · 19-08-2018 4:49am

blackdog1 wrote: »

75/25

Out of interest...
Why that mix, and why mix them?

I presume that the wheat is from inter-farm trade and the maize is dry from merchants?

Gawddawggonnit · 19-08-2018 5:01am

Back to bloodstock transport again this morning, then away for a week tomorrow...sure what else would you be at?
Planting for ‘19 will start the week after next...a new harvest in focus usually makes for redoubling of efforts.

blackdog1 · 19-08-2018 7:25am

Yea. We used to do just wheat and then found when we added maize we got better results. I'm using a 3 at mix of barley, wheat, maize... So we'll see how it goes. Oh and it's down to cost really maize it's making 220-225, green wheat and barley will probably be 180/190.

kevthegaff · 19-08-2018 8:28am

blackdog1 wrote: »

Yea. We used to do just wheat and then found when we added maize we got better results. I'm using a 3 at mix of barley, wheat, maize... So we'll see how it goes. Oh and it's down to cost really maize it's making 220-225, green wheat and barley will probably be 180/190.

Through the diet feeder?

blackdog1 · 19-08-2018 8:49am

kevthegaff wrote:

Through the diet feeder?

Yea or you can use a bucket with an auger. When I first used it I used to bucket it into the parlour but that is pure hardship.

RightTurnClyde · 19-08-2018 9:05am

I topped up the silage ground with 26 units of N on Thursday/Friday on the promise of rain last night.
No rain just heavy mist. There's a cover of 2k on the silage ground, but it's starting to look stressed.
Would the N be gone into the plant after 4 days. Thinking of doing a snatch and grab on the grass that's there, and try to take another light cut in 5 weeks.
Or should I go with the 'grass grows grass' theory

whelan2 · 19-08-2018 9:16am

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

I topped up the silage ground with 26 units of N on Thursday/Friday on the promise of rain last night.
No rain just heavy mist. There's a cover of 2k on the silage ground, but it's starting to look stressed.
Would the N be gone into the plant after 4 days. Thinking of doing a snatch and grab on the grass that's there, and try to take another light cut in 5 weeks.
Or should I go with the 'grass grows grass' theory

Mine was the same a few weeks ago. I cut it. I hadn't put fertiliser out recently on it though. It has grown really well since it was cut

Dakota Dan · 19-08-2018 9:18am

A top dairy farmer around here bought expensive bales of rushes for winter feed :eek: He's going to chop the rushes then put them through the diet feeder in winter. Either someone is telling porkies or else he's off his game.

Mooooo · 19-08-2018 9:25am

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

I topped up the silage ground with 26 units of N on Thursday/Friday on the promise of rain last night.
No rain just heavy mist. There's a cover of 2k on the silage ground, but it's starting to look stressed.
Would the N be gone into the plant after 4 days. Thinking of doing a snatch and grab on the grass that's there, and try to take another light cut in 5 weeks.
Or should I go with the 'grass grows grass' theory

Could you get a sample to lombardstown or somewhere to test it, local teagasc office maybe?

RightTurnClyde · 19-08-2018 9:44am

Mooooo wrote: »

Could you get a sample to lombardstown or somewhere to test it, local teagasc office maybe?

Would tume be aginst me. From when they get the sample how long does it take them to get a result.

Mooooo · 19-08-2018 10:09am

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

Would tume be aginst me. From when they get the sample how long does it take them to get a result.

Afaik You should have results the same day, maybe best to give a ring in the morning. If you got that drizzly mist last night it may well have been enough to get it into the ground tho. Have ye had much dew at night?

mf240 · 19-08-2018 10:12am

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

I topped up the silage ground with 26 units of N on Thursday/Friday on the promise of rain last night.
No rain just heavy mist. There's a cover of 2k on the silage ground, but it's starting to look stressed.
Would the N be gone into the plant after 4 days. Thinking of doing a snatch and grab on the grass that's there, and try to take another light cut in 5 weeks.
Or should I go with the 'grass grows grass' theory

It's hard to know. If you cut it now and try for another cut it will be nearly Oct. Which could go either way. If you leave it bulk up and cut in 2 or so weeks and maybe get some grazing. Its really hard to know what's best. I'm in the same boat with a bit of silage

RightTurnClyde · 19-08-2018 10:29am

Mooooo wrote: »

Afaik You should have results the same day, maybe best to give a ring in the morning. If you got that drizzly mist last night it may well have been enough to get it into the ground tho. Have ye had much dew at night?

Feck all dew. The rain of last weekend and last Wednesday just came as a light 30 mins drizzle. Same case as last night.
I'll ring in the morning and see can organise a test, and let that make the decision for me

freedominacup · 19-08-2018 10:32am

RightTurnClyde wrote: »

Would tume be aginst me. From when they get the sample how long does it take them to get a result.

With Glanbia 5 mins in store. Fresh sample.

Reggie. · 19-08-2018 10:48am

mf240 wrote: »

It's hard to know. If you cut it now and try for another cut it will be nearly Oct. Which could go either way. If you leave it bulk up and cut in 2 or so weeks and maybe get some grazing. Its really hard to know what's best. I'm in the same boat with a bit of silage

We are noticing here tgat grass thats cut is growing back better and quicker than the grass that's left to bulk up

Buford T. Justice XIX · 19-08-2018 10:59am

freedominacup wrote: »

With Glanbia 5 mins in store. Fresh sample.

Local Teagasc office does it but has to be frozen overnight and left thaw the following morning before bringing it in? Results in a few minutes.

murrak123 · 19-08-2018 7:09pm

What's the going rate for 2.5 hour relief milking. Will involve bringing in and out of cows, milking, wash down and setting up paddocks?

Reggie. · 19-08-2018 7:10pm

murrak123 wrote: »

What's the going rate for 2.5 hour relief milking. Will involve bringing in and out of cows, milking, wash down and setting up paddocks?

Could be wrong but I think €40 an hour was thrown around a while back

Injuryprone · 19-08-2018 8:18pm

murrak123 wrote: »

What's the going rate for 2.5 hour relief milking. Will involve bringing in and out of cows, milking, wash down and setting up paddocks?

50 per milking would be a fair price imo. That's assuming facilities are fairly good and you're not running around like a headless chicken for the 2.5 hours or horsing ration etc.

Reggie, I'll milk for you anytime. For 1400/week I'll sell up here

Reggie. · 19-08-2018 8:29pm

Injuryprone wrote: »

50 per milking would be a fair price imo. That's assuming facilities are fairly good and you're not running around like a headless chicken for the 2.5 hours or horsing ration etc.

Reggie, I'll milk for you anytime. For 1400/week I'll sell up here

Like I said I could have been wrong but who gets relief milkers for every milking?

whelan2 · 19-08-2018 8:30pm

Injuryprone wrote: »

50 per milking would be a fair price imo. That's assuming facilities are fairly good and you're not running around like a headless chicken for the 2.5 hours or horsing ration etc.

Reggie, I'll milk for you anytime. For 1400/week I'll sell up here

I pay 45 per milking here, thats for 40 cows in the winter or 150 in the summer , 15 unit parlour. Most of the time one of us is here to bring in cows or close them in etc

Snowfire · 19-08-2018 8:40pm

murrak123 wrote: »

What's the going rate for 2.5 hour relief milking. Will involve bringing in and out of cows, milking, wash down and setting up paddocks?

Some lads could prove expensive even if they were willing to do it for free. €40-50/per milking generally depending on extras being asked to do.

wrangler · 19-08-2018 8:59pm

Reggie. wrote: »

Like I said I could have been wrong but who gets relief milkers for every milking?

yea, I think there's someone on here paying €100/milking and more at weekends, economy is improving people mightn't be as stuck for money now, five years ago it was probably better than nothing

Mooooo · 19-08-2018 9:07pm

FRS charge a fixed fee for x amount of cows and so much extra per cow then. Think for 90 cows it comes to 55 or something once it doesn't go over 2.5 hours I think not sure on that now tho.

alps · 19-08-2018 9:19pm

The description of milking time can be pretty vague. I would describe it as from the time you arrive to the time that you leave..cluster on cluster off here in summer is 90mins, but we would describe as a 2 hour milking..no need to lock out cows as they always go in an upper gap..

Injuryprone · 19-08-2018 9:26pm

Just a note on the FRS prices, AFAIK the FRS worker would be insured against letting antibiotics into the tank or forgetting to put the hose in the tank etc. So that would add a bit to the charge

carrollsno1 · 19-08-2018 9:31pm

Injuryprone wrote: »

Just a note on the FRS prices, AFAIK the FRS worker would be insured against letting antibiotics into the tank or forgetting to put the hose in the tank etc. So that would add a bit to the charge

I heard that the operator has to have done the new FRS milking course if you want the claim to be successful. Whether thats true or not now i dont know.

Mooooo · 19-08-2018 9:35pm

Most lads would have cover for part time workers and milk cover on their insurance policies anyway I assume?

Timmaay · 19-08-2018 9:58pm

Have had a student of some description in here the last 2 summers, and for the busy part of calving. 2 of us in the parlour while there is any sorta grief with heifers etc the spring, and in the summer I only doing about 5 or 6 milkings max a week myself. They get paid the best part of 17e/hr for milking, and 10e/hr for general labour, suits all parties well I think, the most of them only want part time work while still in school/college. High enough turnover rate I'll admit, but endless supply of them out there, I've never had a problem getting in someone.

Dairy Chitchat 3

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