Dairy Chitchat 4, an udder new thread.

yosemitesam1 · 13-06-2021 11:03am

jaymla627 wrote: »

If the cost of making these changes costs more then the financial benefits our simply dosent even break even and becomes a money pit how does it stack up, first world goverments thinking that primary producers are simply cannon fodder to be scaraficed to apease the woke middle classes will backfire spectacularly, the common held belief by the vast majority of the population that they will never go hungry is dumdfonding especially if you follow their widely held beliefs on climate change

Pretty much a 1930s style crash is the only thing that will stop the focus on climate change. But that comes with it's own problems, wasn't exactly a great time to be farming back then...

jaymla627 · 13-06-2021 11:21am

yosemitesam1 wrote: »

Pretty much a 1930s style crash is the only thing that will stop the focus on climate change. But that comes with it's own problems, wasn't exactly a great time to be farming back then...

Seems to be alot of nervousness around maize/wheat harvests in Brazil and America due to weather, if the worst case scenario occured and maize supplies get extremely tight, food prices and availability next year could put the cat among the pigeons

Reggie. · 13-06-2021 12:01pm

jaymla627 wrote: »

Seems to be alot of nervousness around maize/wheat harvests in Brazil and America due to weather, if the worst case scenario occured and maize supplies get extremely tight, food prices and availability next year could put the cat among the pigeons

See not too many lads going for maize as much around here this year. Pure costs of it

straight · 13-06-2021 12:20pm

jaymla627 wrote: »

Seems to be alot of nervousness around maize/wheat harvests in Brazil and America due to weather, if the worst case scenario occured and maize supplies get extremely tight, food prices and availability next year could put the cat among the pigeons

I think Russia is putting a 70% export tax on wheat if the world price goes over 200 dollars per ton. Other countries are throwing a few extra cent on the price and hoping that the farmers will plant a bit more. Sad thing is that it's the poor countries will go hungry first.

jaymla627 · 13-06-2021 2:03pm

Reggie. wrote: »

See not too many lads going for maize as much around here this year. Pure costs of it

Have 27 acres of it in myself, get on well with it here, it could be a lifesaver this year if i get a good crop with meal prices so high

Reggie. · 13-06-2021 3:04pm

jaymla627 wrote: »

Have 27 acres of it in myself, get on well with it here, it could be a lifesaver this year if i get a good crop with meal prices so high

Theres alot planted around but lads that got it last year aren't getting it again this year as in buying it in

mahoney_j · 13-06-2021 4:20pm

Reggie. wrote: »

See not too many lads going for maize as much around here this year. Pure costs of it

If no corners cut when sowing ,a good site and under plastic it’s very cost comparable to top quality first cut ,I’ve been feeding it in conjunction with grass since cows calved and better all round buffer than even good bales

JustJoe7240 · 13-06-2021 5:00pm

Reggie. wrote: »

Know cases like that but they were asking for trouble doing that. Some lads are Savage ignorant

How is it ignorant? He's not holding a gun to the contractors head to lift it. If it doesn't suit him, he asks him to get someone else to lift it.
I didn't realize the farmer needs to ask his contractors permission to mow

Water John · 13-06-2021 5:18pm

JustJoe7240 wrote: »

How is it ignorant? He's not holding a gun to the contractors head to lift it. If it doesn't suit him, he asks him to get someone else to lift it.
I didn't realize the farmer needs to ask his contractors permission to mow

Go back and have a second read. Point is, you agree a cutting date and arrange with your contractor what day he'll pick up, BEFORE you knock the grass.
This I do, no problem.

whelan2 · 13-06-2021 5:18pm

JustJoe7240 wrote: »

How is it ignorant? He's not holding a gun to the contractors head to lift it. If it doesn't suit him, he asks him to get someone else to lift it.
I didn't realize the farmer needs to ask his contractors permission to mow

I think, given the year that's in it, it would be good to ring the contractor to see before you mow if they can fit you in. Not just expect them to drop everything because you have mowed yours.

JustJoe7240 · 13-06-2021 5:46pm

Water John wrote: »

Go back and have a second read. Point is, you agree a cutting date and arrange with your contractor what day he'll pick up, BEFORE you knock the grass.
This I do, no problem.

I'm delighted it works out for, still doesn't answer the question I asked though.

JustJoe7240 · 13-06-2021 5:51pm

whelan2 wrote: »

I think, given the year that's in it, it would be good to ring the contractor to see before you mow if they can fit you in. Not just expect them to drop everything because you have mowed yours.

If that's your take on it fair enough. But from reading the post on the other forum, it didn't seem that the particular customer expected everything to be dropped.

It may be courteous to ring ahead, Sure. But if that's considered ignorant,Some people are easily offended IMO.

GrasstoMilk · 13-06-2021 6:28pm

JustJoe7240 wrote: »

If that's your take on it fair enough. But from reading the post on the other forum, it didn't seem that the particular customer expected everything to be dropped.

It may be courteous to ring ahead, Sure. But if that's considered ignorant,Some people are easily offended IMO.

I'd consider it rude tbh

my father used to alot of bale silage on hire, he'd always get a few every year that would mow and wanted him there the next day to bale and wrap

Those were the guys that added the stress to the job and the long hours to get to that person

No need for it what so ever, ring the contractor before hand is just basic manners imo

Water John · 13-06-2021 6:44pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

I'd consider it rude tbh

my father used to alot of bale silage on hire, he'd always get a few every year that would mow and wanted him there the next day to bale and wrap

Those were the guys that added the stress to the job and the long hours to get to that person

No need for it what so ever, ring the contractor before hand is just basic manners imo

Contractor I know was telling of a place he used to bale for the previous gen. Then the young lad takes over. Gets a call requesting he row in and bale his cut grass that afternoon. Man says I'm already booked but will be able to get to you in the morning. 'That's no use' says the lad, 'I'll get back to you'.
Rings later and and says he'll take the morning. 'Sorry' says the contractor, 'the morning is gone now'

whelan2 · 13-06-2021 6:56pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

I'd consider it rude tbh

my father used to alot of bale silage on hire, he'd always get a few every year that would mow and wanted him there the next day to bale and wrap

Those were the guys that added the stress to the job and the long hours to get to that person

No need for it what so ever, ring the contractor before hand is just basic manners imo

And then give out about the contractor.

K.G. · 13-06-2021 7:56pm

The latest this year is lads promising to pay contractors leaving the yard In order to get them to come.as if they are great men to be paying straight away.

Mooooo · 13-06-2021 8:01pm

Use the same contractors with years here. Has to be leeway in a year like this tbh. Chopping and changing at the drop of a hat could see you let down faster

K.G. · 13-06-2021 8:07pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Use the same contractors with years here. Has to be leeway in a year like this tbh. Chopping and changing at the drop of a hat could see you let down faster

West cork seem to be farther behind the rest of the country this year.most contractors have only about 25/% of their acreage done

whelan2 · 13-06-2021 8:37pm

K.G. wrote: »

The latest this year is lads promising to pay contractors leaving the yard In order to get them to come.as if they are great men to be paying straight away.

Even better here I pay by direct debit each month so he's sort of prepaid

Sillycave · 13-06-2021 8:42pm

Not sure if right place to post!
How long after spraying rushes could you top them (so that the spray is effective if that makes sense)?

mahoney_j · 13-06-2021 10:04pm

JustJoe7240 wrote: »

How is it ignorant? He's not holding a gun to the contractors head to lift it. If it doesn't suit him, he asks him to get someone else to lift it.
I didn't realize the farmer needs to ask his contractors permission to mow

Tbh it is ,you need to work with not against contractors ,vast majority of farmers are on good terms and work well with there contractors because if the service they offer ,lads will always go on solo runs and do there own thing and expect a contractor to drop everything for there job ,that’s rude and there the lads constantly whinging and jumping from one contractor to other ,they’ll eventually be caught and with no one to blame I usually phone my contractor for baling Sunday Monday to let him know what I have that week and work a plan between us both ,never been let down .for main first cut I let him know early may an approx date /week I’ll be trying to cut ,again never an issue

mahoney_j · 13-06-2021 10:06pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Even better here I pay by direct debit each month so he's sort of prepaid

Same as here set amount end may June July august with balance when they want it usually November /December

roosterman71 · 14-06-2021 9:38am

Water John wrote: »

Contractor I know was telling of a place he used to bale for the previous gen. Then the young lad takes over. Gets a call requesting he row in and bale his cut grass that afternoon. Man says I'm already booked but will be able to get to you in the morning. 'That's no use' says the lad, 'I'll get back to you'.
Rings later and and says he'll take the morning. 'Sorry' says the contractor, 'the morning is gone now'

I move a good few bales each summer. This year, a lad rang me and said he'd have bales to draw in on a Wednesday. This was the Saturday beforehand. I said grand, see you then.

On Monday then, got a call to say his bales were ready and to come over ASAP as the crows were around. I told him he'll have to wait till Tuesday night at the earliest. I was flat out at my own and then had 2 other lads to get to. Got roared at down the phone. Told him to calm down and I'd be there Tuesday evening. If he wanted to get someone else, go ahead.

10 mins later my father rang wondering why I wouldn't go to yer man. Told him I was busy and didn't have time. Then he gave out! So I told him I'd head on now and leave our own bales in the field. Didn't like that.

Tuesday yer man rang me and said not to come, he had someone else lined up. No bother. Passed his place yesterday morning and bales still in the field. Stubborn man

timple23 · 14-06-2021 1:34pm

K.G. wrote: »

The latest this year is lads promising to pay contractors leaving the yard In order to get them to come.as if they are great men to be paying straight away.

The lads who'd give you a small bit of grub and you were good to pay last year would be prioritized by us.

Around here all the contractors would know who is bad to pay.

older by the day · 15-06-2021 1:30am

K.G. wrote: »

West cork seem to be farther behind the rest of the country this year.most contractors have only about 25/% of their acreage done

And that's a fact lad. We only got a couple of weekends dry. I pay after each cut, but contractor can't come till the end of the week. Dirty old foggy rain from 12 tomorrow, the first cut will be handy to put the cows dry. I don't think paying fast is no guarantee of a good service.

straight · 15-06-2021 1:31pm

older by the day wrote: »

And that's a fact lad. We only got a couple of weekends dry. I pay after each cut, but contractor can't come till the end of the week. Dirty old foggy rain from 12 tomorrow, the first cut will be handy to put the cows dry. I don't think paying fast is no guarantee of a good service.

Isn't it gas the way lads ring up a month before and say they want to cut on a certain date and expecting that to put them ahead of everyone else. I've mine in the pit now and I've a fair mountain of stuff. Biggest crops they saw all year they said. Can't be that bad as it was all grazed and the butt was clean enough.

Lios67 · 15-06-2021 3:01pm

My contractor used to say that to me as well, made me feel better anyway

straight · 15-06-2021 4:56pm

Lios67 wrote: »

My contractor used to say that to me as well, made me feel better anyway

Ah sure they know how to manage their customers alright. I had to buy 200 bales last year to make up for my small pit. No need this year. That's 5k saving at least.

GrasstoMilk · 15-06-2021 5:03pm

straight wrote: »

Ah sure they know how to manage their customers alright. I had to buy 200 bales last year to make up for my small pit. No need this year. That's 5k saving at least.

Not if it needs 5k of nuts to make cows milk
2nd cut in 2 weeks here

Used to be proud to have the biggest crop of first cut silage around, it was a false economy tbh
Still get same yield over 3 cuts and doesn't cost a whole pile more

Mooooo · 15-06-2021 5:07pm

That's a given g2m but it's just a case of the washout this year in May has left first cut weeks late. Mine still isn't in, would normally put second cut on top of it which I will have space to do as acreage of first cut is down but thinking now I may bale whatever bit of second cut I make, sickening and all the thought of it is. At least then I can just keep that pit for when cows are dry.

straight · 15-06-2021 5:08pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Not if it needs 5k of nuts to make cows milk
2nd cut in 2 weeks here

Used to be proud to have the biggest crop of first cut silage around, it was a false economy tbh
Still get same yield over 3 cuts and doesn't cost a whole pile more

I don't milk off the pit. Use bales and grass for that when possible. I'll get the pit tested this year out of interest. Never tested before as its hard to get the quality sometimes around here.

whelan2 · 15-06-2021 5:10pm

Mine was grazed until near 20th April. No point leaving old steamy grass there to try to cut 6 week's later, that would be crap. Grazed bare. So the silage we cut was great stuff. 6 weeks after we fertilised it. We couldn't graze it until we did due to heavy ground. We did the same last year and cows milked very well off it . Lovely stuff. Contractor commented on the quality and quantity here too. I said it's due to my excellent grassland management skills.... edited to say well for those who can get the weather to do 3 cuts, the rest of us do the best we can with what we have

K.G. · 15-06-2021 5:21pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Not if it needs 5k of nuts to make cows milk
2nd cut in 2 weeks here

Used to be proud to have the biggest crop of first cut silage around, it was a false economy tbh
Still get same yield over 3 cuts and doesn't cost a whole pile more

Put dates on your cuts and isthere grazing done on that ground. Thinking of moving to 3 cut

DukeCaboom · 15-06-2021 5:28pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Mine was grazed until near 20th April. No point leaving old steamy grass there to try to cut 6 week's later, that would be crap. Grazed bare. So the silage we cut was great stuff. 6 weeks after we fertilised it. We couldn't graze it until we did due to heavy ground. We did the same last year and cows milked very well off it . Lovely stuff. Contractor commented on the quality and quantity here too. I said it's due to my excellent grassland management skills.... edited to say well for those who can get the weather to do 3 cuts, the rest of us do the best we can with what we have

Genuinely don't think yee got a fraction of the rain we got down on the coast. Even up in North Cork they'd alot less rain than us.

whelan2 · 15-06-2021 5:40pm

DukeCaboom wrote: »

Genuinely don't think yee got a fraction of the rain we got down on the coast. Even up in North Cork they'd alot less rain than us.

Yes that's my point. If we were to take 3 cuts when we only closed the silage ground on April 20th we'd be looking for good weather in October. 3 cuts are fine in some areas but belittling people who can't actually do 3 cuts due to their land type or where they farm bugs me

GrasstoMilk · 15-06-2021 6:26pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Yes that's my point. If we were to take 3 cuts when we only closed the silage ground on April 20th we'd be looking for good weather in October. 3 cuts are fine in some areas but belittling people who can't actually do 3 cuts due to their land type or where they farm bugs me

Didn't think I was criticising any one, just how I used to operate with heavy cuts of silage has changed

whelan2 · 15-06-2021 6:42pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Didn't think I was criticising any one, just how I used to operate with heavy cuts of silage has changed

My point being not everyone can do 3 cuts....anyway just back from getting cattle out of the bog. First time in about 20 years they got in there.

Castlekeeper · 15-06-2021 6:42pm

DukeCaboom wrote: »

Genuinely don't think yee got a fraction of the rain we got down on the coast. Even up in North Cork they'd alot less rain than us.

That would depend, there'd be some difference between Michelstown and Rockchapel, ye've had a particularly bad run of it this year but by and large south Cork is not the worst part of the country to grow grass, to put out mildly.

Lios67 · 15-06-2021 7:27pm

straight wrote: »

Ah sure they know how to manage their customers alright. I had to buy 200 bales last year to make up for my small pit. No need this year. That's 5k saving at least.

You’re spot on, a great feeling of security when you have a big pit, I’ve been that soldier buying bales too .

Green&Red · 15-06-2021 8:54pm

straight wrote: »

I don't milk off the pit. Use bales and grass for that when possible. I'll get the pit tested this year out of interest. Never tested before as its hard to get the quality sometimes around here.

When you say bales are you talking about paddocks that you take out?

Cut here on May 26th, small enough crop but I'm expecting the quality to be there

older by the day · 15-06-2021 9:01pm

Passed the fields tonight, they are as flat as pan cakes, with the docks standing up. This is a sickening job sometimes. It will be dry from tomorrow evening to Friday night. There will be fs flying down the phone if it won't be picked up.

Mooooo · 15-06-2021 9:32pm

Castlekeeper wrote: »

That would depend, there'd be some difference between Michelstown and Rockchapel, ye've had a particularly bad run of it this year but by and large south Cork is not the worst part of the country to grow grass, to put out mildly.

Very few places have problems growing grass, utilising and harvesting it can be a separate issue. The difference between east and west cork alone is massive in terms of rainfall and terrain. Even within our own group, I'm furthest west and I'm mid cork and would have a lot more rain than the lads on the eastern side most years. Said before drought is never a serious issue here, may slow things down. A wet year on the other hand can really fcuk the show, ala 2012

K.G. · 15-06-2021 9:36pm

older by the day wrote: »

Passed the fields tonight, they are as flat as pan cakes, with the docks standing up. This is a sickening job sometimes. It will be dry from tomorrow evening to Friday night. There will be fs flying down the phone if it won't be picked up.

That's the sound track to most contractors lives at the moment.alot of chopping and changing going on this year

straight · 15-06-2021 10:22pm

K.G. wrote: »

That's the sound track to most contractors lives at the moment.alot of chopping and changing going on this year

Teagasc recommend may 29th before heading or sometime like that but I'm afraid everyone can't cut the one day. Feck it, it will all get done eventually. Contractors are working their asses off in fairness. The queue jumping by the loudest voices does annoy me but that's life like.

straight · 15-06-2021 10:30pm

Green&Red wrote: »

When you say bales are you talking about paddocks that you take out?

Cut here on May 26th, small enough crop but I'm expecting the quality to be there

I try something different every year but was disappointed with the amount of bales I got from cleaning paddocks last year. Will fertilise 1st cut ground for 2nd cut bales this year. Baling 3 - 4 bales per acre isn't worth the hassle I think. I'd prefer to pre mow although I've never tried it before. Struggle with the quality silage to be honest. Paid top dollar for high quality bales in 2019 and I saw feck all difference in the tank from them so I'm not sure about the whole thing. Cut my pit early last year and all stock did better off it alright I'd say. Going to test the pit every year from now on. I wonder when a paddock goes too strong for the cows and you bale it does that turn into rocket fuel? I'm thinking the best stuff would be from 14 - 1600 covers down for 24 - 36 hours.

mahoney_j · 15-06-2021 10:39pm

straight wrote: »

I try something different every year but was disappointed with the amount of bales I got from cleaning paddocks last year. Will fertilise 1st cut ground for 2nd cut bales this year. Baling 3 - 4 bales per acre isn't worth the hassle I think. I'd prefer to pre mow although I've never tried it before. Struggle with the quality silage to be honest. Paid top dollar for high quality bales in 2019 and I saw feck all difference in the tank from them so I'm not sure about the whole thing. Cut my pit early last year and all stock did better off it alright I'd say. Going to test the pit every year from now on. I wonder when a paddock goes too strong for the cows and you bale it does that turn into rocket fuel? I'm thinking the best stuff would be from 14 - 1600 covers down for 24 - 36 hours.

All these surplus paddocks that are cut are far from the rocket fuel some seem to think they are ,there is stemmy grass ,high in n and certain amount of cow ****e going to the bale .best quality silage is made first 2 weeks in may ,second cut can be hit and miss if it. Can be cut at 30/40 days max you’ll have great quality

Green&Red · 15-06-2021 11:13pm

straight wrote: »

I don't milk off the pit. Use bales and grass for that when possible. I'll get the pit tested this year out of interest. Never tested before as its hard to get the quality sometimes around here.

straight wrote: »

I try something different every year but was disappointed with the amount of bales I got from cleaning paddocks last year. Will fertilise 1st cut ground for 2nd cut bales this year. Baling 3 - 4 bales per acre isn't worth the hassle I think. I'd prefer to pre mow although I've never tried it before. Struggle with the quality silage to be honest. Paid top dollar for high quality bales in 2019 and I saw feck all difference in the tank from them so I'm not sure about the whole thing. Cut my pit early last year and all stock did better off it alright I'd say. Going to test the pit every year from now on. I wonder when a paddock goes too strong for the cows and you bale it does that turn into rocket fuel? I'm thinking the best stuff would be from 14 - 1600 covers down for 24 - 36 hours.

So is it second cut bales you milk off? Why would you use those instead of first cut silage?

I’d agree with Mahony on the bales off paddocks, ****e in = ****e out, if it’s stemmy going in you’ve the same issue when you open it

Injuryprone · 15-06-2021 11:34pm

Stemmy paddock bales are best fed in October/November when grass gets watery, and also go fairly well in April to counteract the lush, leafy second round grass

Injuryprone · 15-06-2021 11:37pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Not if it needs 5k of nuts to make cows milk
2nd cut in 2 weeks here

Used to be proud to have the biggest crop of first cut silage around, it was a false economy tbh
Still get same yield over 3 cuts and doesn't cost a whole pile more

Some might say that you're giving that 5k to the contractor and fertilizer merchant for the extra cut for the same volume of silage

charolais0153 · 16-06-2021 1:17am

whelan2 wrote: »

My point being not everyone can do 3 cuts....anyway just back from getting cattle out of the bog. First time in about 20 years they got in there.

What about not grazing and cutting early may?

Dairy Chitchat 4, an udder new thread.

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