It is some year for grass, as they say. I have not spread fertiliser in over five weeks and I am still growing over 70kg/DM/ha, with approximately 25 days grazing ahead of me.
A small number of paddocks have gone a bit hard and would really need to be topped to freshen them up a bit. However, seeing as I do not have my own topper, and have not had one for over 20 years, topping on this farm really is a very last resort. I may wean some calves shortly and use the dry cows as toppers.
Everyone seems to be swimming in grass at the moment. Some would say, not a bad problem to have, but I cannot say I would fully agree.
Surpluses
A small surplus of grass is a great thing. Make a few extra bales and build a bit of a stockpile, so when one of those extra-long winters that we are so accustomed to comes along you are not found wanting.
A huge surplus of grass when everyone around you is in the same situation is only a problem. There is no point making a lot of extra silage that you cannot use. Making silage to sell, will definitely leave no money and if everyone has extra silage, which seems to be the case, there will be no sale for it anyway.
My father used to say: “There never was silage made, that wasn’t ate sometime.”
So, I suppose if it is well wrapped and looked after it could in theory be stored until the next deficit and cashed in on the next time the panic is on and hysteria is forcing people to pay crazy money! Hardly an ideal business plan but if your cash flow is not too tight, it is always an option.
There is nearly always sale for good hay but getting it can be easier said than done with regards to the weather and not everyone has the time and equipment needed.
Store lambs
Finished lambs are not a wonderful trade but store lambs seem to be flying. What is the reason? I am told more lambs are coming fit earlier, due to the good spring and summer we are having. Factories are getting volume and are able to reduce the price earlier than normal.
The store trade is flying because men have surplus grass and, sad as it is, it makes more sense to buy lambs to graze the grass. They might make a few pounds or at worst break even and cost nothing. Cutting silage that you do not need and will probably struggle to sell will almost undoubtedly cost you something!
Farmer Writes: enjoying a few lazy days in July
Farmer Writes: BEEP weighing shows difference between cow A and cow B