It’s been an extremely busy year to date on the farm.
From the outset there were a number of construction projects to be completed between spring 2019 and now. Through circumstances outside of my control, these ended up delayed. This resulted in all the jobs coming along at once and it meant I had to learn a few new skills and rekindle others that have been dormant for a long time.
In some ways, the lockdowns helped as there was nothing else to do but keep the head down and focus on the tasks at hand. It was like a condensed version of farming, where you tried something new and learned from the mistakes.
There was a focus on trying to get the wetter ground finished first and the paddocks needed first next year are closed
Thinking about what to do and how to do it took up an awful lot of headspace and was exhausting at times. I couldn’t do everything so something had to give and since August the grazing management hasn’t been what it used to be in other years.
There was still a plan, but for the last few months it wasn’t the priority it usually is. There was a focus on trying to get the wetter ground finished first and the paddocks needed first next year are closed.
I’m relieved the end of the grazing season is in sight as it will offer a chance to get things back on track for next spring. I’m hoping to be able to try and take it easy for a few weeks too.
Culling relief
Scanning of the last group of cows and a few re-checks took place last week. Only one cow scanned empty this year. The results more than made up for the poor performance of the maiden heifers. Those heifers that scanned empty in early September are to be sold over the coming weeks. They will follow the cull cows that were sold last week. It was a relief to have them moved on.
There was a second-calver in the bunch that had a nasty streak that I hadn’t seen on the farm in a long time. It looks like our decision to cull hard in 2018 is paying off.
Our current herd size is pretty much at its optimum for the available land base
Focusing on docility means that while the number of flighty cattle is much lower, they tend to stand out that bit more now and when they’re all in the one group, they require more management.
As most farmers know, it only takes one animal to take off to upset your plans.
Our current herd size is pretty much at its optimum for the available land base. There’s a list being formed of what cows will be going next year already. We had a ratio close to 2:1 of bulls to heifers this year.
Despite a bit of a change coming in the herd, I’ll resist the temptation to purchase in a few for the coming year
As a result, the selection of replacements to choose from is smaller for the coming year but the standard of what’s there is pretty good. Despite a bit of a change coming in the herd, I’ll resist the temptation to purchase in a few for the coming year.
The next obstacle to overcome before being able to properly plan for next spring is the annual TB test next week. Given the reaction to the herd categorisation letters a few weeks ago, I have a feeling that this annual event will now be a fixture for the rest of my farming career.
Read more
Farmer Writes: did too many cooks spoil the PGI broth?
Farmer Writes: existing farm habitats need recognition
Farmer Writes: nerves are tested at scanning time
It’s been an extremely busy year to date on the farm.
From the outset there were a number of construction projects to be completed between spring 2019 and now. Through circumstances outside of my control, these ended up delayed. This resulted in all the jobs coming along at once and it meant I had to learn a few new skills and rekindle others that have been dormant for a long time.
In some ways, the lockdowns helped as there was nothing else to do but keep the head down and focus on the tasks at hand. It was like a condensed version of farming, where you tried something new and learned from the mistakes.
There was a focus on trying to get the wetter ground finished first and the paddocks needed first next year are closed
Thinking about what to do and how to do it took up an awful lot of headspace and was exhausting at times. I couldn’t do everything so something had to give and since August the grazing management hasn’t been what it used to be in other years.
There was still a plan, but for the last few months it wasn’t the priority it usually is. There was a focus on trying to get the wetter ground finished first and the paddocks needed first next year are closed.
I’m relieved the end of the grazing season is in sight as it will offer a chance to get things back on track for next spring. I’m hoping to be able to try and take it easy for a few weeks too.
Culling relief
Scanning of the last group of cows and a few re-checks took place last week. Only one cow scanned empty this year. The results more than made up for the poor performance of the maiden heifers. Those heifers that scanned empty in early September are to be sold over the coming weeks. They will follow the cull cows that were sold last week. It was a relief to have them moved on.
There was a second-calver in the bunch that had a nasty streak that I hadn’t seen on the farm in a long time. It looks like our decision to cull hard in 2018 is paying off.
Our current herd size is pretty much at its optimum for the available land base
Focusing on docility means that while the number of flighty cattle is much lower, they tend to stand out that bit more now and when they’re all in the one group, they require more management.
As most farmers know, it only takes one animal to take off to upset your plans.
Our current herd size is pretty much at its optimum for the available land base. There’s a list being formed of what cows will be going next year already. We had a ratio close to 2:1 of bulls to heifers this year.
Despite a bit of a change coming in the herd, I’ll resist the temptation to purchase in a few for the coming year
As a result, the selection of replacements to choose from is smaller for the coming year but the standard of what’s there is pretty good. Despite a bit of a change coming in the herd, I’ll resist the temptation to purchase in a few for the coming year.
The next obstacle to overcome before being able to properly plan for next spring is the annual TB test next week. Given the reaction to the herd categorisation letters a few weeks ago, I have a feeling that this annual event will now be a fixture for the rest of my farming career.
Read more
Farmer Writes: did too many cooks spoil the PGI broth?
Farmer Writes: existing farm habitats need recognition
Farmer Writes: nerves are tested at scanning time
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