Dairy Chitchat 3

Mooooo

Timmaay wrote: »

I'm tb testing next tue, reading Friday. I have a dozon or so HE calves under 6wks old who I'm not going to be testing, and it would suit well to bring them to the mart on Thursday. Is that going to be a problem for me?

Go on to agfood Thurs morning, there is a tab in the movements to check eligibility

Mortelaro

Timmaay wrote: »

I'm tb testing next tue, reading Friday. I have a dozon or so HE calves under 6wks old who I'm not going to be testing, and it would suit well to bring them to the mart on Thursday. Is that going to be a problem for me?

I don't think you can
It's in the literature you were sent
Carnew might be open Easter Saturday,worth a phone call

Base price

Mooooo wrote: »

Go on to agfood Thurs morning, there is a tab in the movements to check eligibility

Bovines cannot be moved into or out of a herd during the annual TB test (unless they have died and sent to the knackery within the three days of the test/reading) irrespective if they are calves under 42 days of age.

Mooooo

Base price wrote: »

Bovines cannot be moved into or out of a herd during the annual TB test (unless they have died and sent to the knackery within the three days of the test/reading) irrespective if they are calves under 42 days of age.

Misread the post, thought it was the thurs before. Either way the thing on agfood is handy to check before any movements to make sure all is correct

Base price

Mooooo wrote: »

Misread the post, thought it was the thurs before. Either way the thing on agfood is handy to check before any movements to make sure all is correct

+1 especially since the BTE cards don't have to be stamped anymore by the Vet. Our Vet still stamps them if we want but it can be confusing if you are buying in animals and the cards are not stamped.

Keep Sluicing

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Can’t beat driving hard with grazing and starting 2nd round in March. It’s the secret.
40 growth here
200 per cow
Top Phos the difference in my view

Whats Top Phos?

Keep Sluicing

Some amout of maize, and zero grazed grass from silage blocks in the locality. Second rounds started last few days of march/first days of April , in conjunction with growth taking a nosedive. Cold weather an issue, lads scrambling for buffer.

Base price

Keep Sluicing wrote: »

Some amout of maize, and zero grazed grass from silage blocks in the locality. Second rounds started last few days of march/first days of April , in conjunction with growth taking a nosedive. Cold weather an issue, lads scrambling for buffer.

Grass is getting scarce around here as there has been little growth in the last week to ten days with that feckin East wind. Thankfully I didn't clean/powerhose the diet feeder last month as it's going to be back into action tomorrow with a wheaten straw/maize meal mix.
We're not dairying.

whelan2

Base price wrote: »

Bovines cannot be moved into or out of a herd during the annual TB test (unless they have died and sent to the knackery within the three days of the test/reading) irrespective if they are calves under 42 days of age.

I got in trouble last year for 2 cows going to the knacjery between testing and reading. I thought I was doing the right thing as one had broken her leg and the other had a heart condition and was going to die anyway. Had to write a letter etc to the dept

Gawddawggonnit

Keep Sluicing wrote: »

Whats Top Phos?

Chemical fertilizer...
Supposedly more water soluble P for quicker and more efficient uptake.

Gawddawggonnit

Base price wrote: »

Grass is getting scarce around here as there has been little growth in the last week to ten days with that feckin East wind. Thankfully I didn't clean/powerhose the diet feeder last month as it's going to be back into action tomorrow with a wheaten straw/maize meal mix.
We're not dairying.

There’s a N Easterly wind here now for weeks with little or no growth. Cows have 2nd round finished and are back in by night now.
Should be planting sunflowers now but holding back because of soil temps. Likewise with maize, sorghum etc.
The tricky bit is the quickly drying out soils which is rather early for here.
Hopefully a nasty drought isn’t on the cards...

Gawddawggonnit

Mooooo wrote: »

How do ye find the calves do on them, would ye need separate pens for the first and last calves to go on to it?.

Calves do very well Moo. They get between 6 and 8 feeds a day so it’s very close to a natural system.
We keep the new calves separated from the older ones because they would bully them out of the station, iykwim.

It’s excellent at rearing calves and gets them on meal faster, but they do tend to melt once weaned, so a little extra grub for a fortnight really pays off.

Probably the best machine that I’ve got on the farm.
I finally persuaded a relation to invest in one and I asked him lately how’s he getting on with it...’try taking it off me’ was his reply.

Edit. I can’t understand why everyone doesn’t have an auto feeder, are they not covered in Tams?

simx

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

Calves do very well Moo. They get between 6 and 8 feeds a day so it’s very close to a natural system.
We keep the new calves separated from the older ones because they would bully them out of the station, iykwim.

It’s excellent at rearing calves and gets them on meal faster, but they do tend to melt once weaned, so a little extra grub for a fortnight really pays off.

Probably the best machine that I’ve got on the farm.
I finally persuaded a relation to invest in one and I asked him lately how’s he getting on with it...’try taking it off me’ was his reply.

Edit. I can’t understand why everyone doesn’t have an auto feeder, are they not covered in Tams?

Not covered under tams, bought a secondhand one here as new is a fair investment for the small no of calves I’d keep, any beef calves are on it for 7-14 days before sold and Fr heifers, Dont really like feeding calves tbh but have an off farm job so helps in the morning when wanting to get away

alps

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

There’s a N Easterly wind here now for weeks with little or no growth. Cows have 2nd round finished and are back in by night now.
Should be planting sunflowers now but holding back because of soil temps. Likewise with maize, sorghum etc.
The tricky bit is the quickly drying out soils which is rather early for here.
Hopefully a nasty drought isn’t on the cards...

FS Dawg, don't say the dro#### word. Still paying for it here...all working as planned since last August, but knife edge stuff..

Hit the back of the pit of 15th of March, so out full time (except the cold night) supp with Ograze and 5kg conc, running a demand of 34. Growth (37) exceeded demand for the first time this week.

Grass seed going in this week to some silage ground that we put into Rape end of July, which outwintered the weanlings, as they went from that to early silage ground grazing.

I week of Ograze ground left and that will be fert up for silage, so in effect, next winter's silage yield has been hit by last year's drought.

Neither mind nor pocket could handle another summer like that.

straight

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

Calves do very well Moo. They get between 6 and 8 feeds a day so it’s very close to a natural system.
We keep the new calves separated from the older ones because they would bully them out of the station, iykwim.

It’s excellent at rearing calves and gets them on meal faster, but they do tend to melt once weaned, so a little extra grub for a fortnight really pays off.

Probably the best machine that I’ve got on the farm.
I finally persuaded a relation to invest in one and I asked him lately how’s he getting on with it...’try taking it off me’ was his reply.

Edit. I can’t understand why everyone doesn’t have an auto feeder, are they not covered in Tams?

I'd like one but my calf houses are a bit dispersed. How many calves could you put into a 20 foot by 15 foot straw bedded pin?

jaymla627

alps wrote: »

FS Dawg, don't say the dro#### word. Still paying for it here...all working as planned since last August, but knife edge stuff..

Hit the back of the pit of 15th of March, so out full time (except the cold night) supp with Ograze and 5kg conc, running a demand of 34. Growth (37) exceeded demand for the first time this week.

Grass seed going in this week to some silage ground that we put into Rape end of July, which outwintered the weanlings, as they went from that to early silage ground grazing.

I week of Ograze ground left and that will be fert up for silage, so in effect, next winter's silage yield has been hit by last year's drought.

Neither mind nor pocket could handle another summer like that.

It could be worse neighbour just rang to inform us that half a lads cattle have gone down with tb beside the outfarm where the incalf heifers where wintered and I’m doing my round test Wednesday, maidens where meant to go over their Monday for the grazing season as well but in two minds weather to keep them at home

Sacrolyte

(I'd like one but my calf houses are a bit dispersed. How many calves could you put into a 20 foot by 15 foot straw bedded pin?)

10. I just match it to the ten nipple feeder.

Mooooo

First silage of the year in, 3.5 bales to the acre. Fecking hate bales but they'll feed the cows for some few days anyway

Buford T. Justice XIX

Mooooo wrote: »

First silage of the year in, 3.5 bales to the acre. Fecking hate bales but they'll feed the cows for some few days anyway

Better looking at it than looking for it, though.

Keepgrowing

straight wrote: »

I'd like one but my calf houses are a bit dispersed. How many calves could you put into a 20 foot by 15 foot straw bedded pin?

30’sq per calf would allow for 10 calves

straight

I'm currently have a group calving pen inside an old silage barn and it's working well for me. I'm considering dividing it into pens for next year. What do ye think? Pens or group?

Keepgrowing

Keep Sluicing wrote: »

Whats Top Phos?

It’s a Grassland Agro product. 10% P 9%S. It’s more water soluble and reacts at much lower soil temps than standard P.

P as you know works best when applied in spring but to mobalise and amount of it soil temps need to be >15. These temps are not achieved until May in a normal year. We’ve tried it for the past couple of years on select paddocks and got good results. This year we spread any paddock reseeded within the past 8 years.

Will do so again, not cheap though.

GrasstoMilk

Keepgrowing wrote: »

It’s a Grassland Agro product. 10% P 9%S. It’s more water soluble and reacts at much lower soil temps than standard P.

P as you know works best when applied in spring but to mobalise and amount of it soil temps need to be >15. These temps are not achieved until May in a normal year. We’ve tried it for the past couple of years on select paddocks and got good results. This year we spread any paddock reseeded within the past 8 years.

Will do so again, not cheap though.

Dont be giving away trade secrets:P

GrasstoMilk

Who would you get to put a nose ring in a teaser? Have 3 2 yr old lads here.

The Rabbi

It might be safer to get some adults to help.

whelan2

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Who would you get to put a nose ring in a teaser? Have 3 2 yr old lads here.

Our hoof care man does them. Crate is handy to handle them

mahoney_j

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Who would you get to put a nose ring in a teaser? Have 3 2 yr old lads here.

Vet

Brown Podzol

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Who would you get to put a nose ring in a teaser? Have 3 2 yr old lads here.

I always ring them myself in the crush gate. Be careful with the little screw, its easy loose it, but if you do the ones in a three pin plug will fit.

orm0nd

Breeding 19 kicked off this am. Ai man remarked his season is getting shorter each year. Told him 4 straight weeks this year and he's out the gate.

Buford T. Justice XIX

orm0nd wrote: »

Breeding 19 kicked off this am. Ai man remarked his season is getting shorter each year. Told him 4 straight weeks this year and he's out the gate.

At least he'll have one warm arm all day long today.

Mortelaro

https://m.independent.ie/business/farming/agri-business/irish-farms-among-3bn-acc-loan-book-sold-at-steep-discount-by-rabobank-38009800.html


So Rabbo have sold their remaining Irish loans at a two thirds discount to a vulture fund
That's the bank that Glanbia got loads of milk suppliers to sign up large loans funding expansion yeah?
Miss one repayment lads on those,just one and its foreclosure
That's how they make their money
Although Iirc those loans weren't supposed to be secured by land,just your milk cheque, you can be pretty sure they'll be able to chase the land

dmakc

We've a young cow due end of May and don't know what to do with her going forward. She was caught out of sync as a heifer and hasn't come in line since. Is it unrealistic to hope for a March/early April calving next year or what are the best ways to aid it?

tanko

When she's 40 days calved you could try synchronising her.

Buford T. Justice XIX

tanko wrote: »

When she's 40 days calved you could try synchronising her.

And use something very easily calved on her so she won't have damage to repair before going in heat. KYA or a Jersey or similar to give her every chance to join the rest of the herd again.

GrasstoMilk

Brown Podzol wrote: »

I always ring them myself in the crush gate. Be careful with the little screw, its easy loose it, but if you do the ones in a three pin plug will fit.

What did you use to punch the hole through the nose?

freedominacup

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

What did you use to punch the hole through the nose?

The point on the ring itself. A good big shot of local into the top of the nose once you have him restrained. He won't even know its being done to him.

whelan2

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

What did you use to punch the hole through the nose?

Agridirect have the applicator for 23 euro. Sharpen with a file

Toetohand

Hello all long time reader first time poster. I’m just looking for a bit of help/ guidance in understanding the following milk sample results. 10-04-19 FAT=3.77 PROT=3.39 LACT=4.87. Assisting a relative who is ill in last 12 months. He says fat levels should be higher. Is there a way of making them higher by manipulating diet. Cows on good grass and 3kg in parlour. Any help hints or tips greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Mooooo

Depending on his type of cow that is ok for the time of year my figures are similar. To try and bring up the bf you could offer some fibre like straw or hay or in the next load of meal include some nis. Once dungs aren't extremely lose the cows are maintaining condition that is the main thing.

Toetohand

Mooooo wrote: »

Depending on his type of cow that is ok for the time of year my figures are similar. To try and bring up the bf you could offer some fibre like straw or hay or in the next load of meal include some nis. Once dungs aren't extremely lose the cows are maintaining condition that is the main thing.

Cow condition is good enough. Always a few you’d like a bit more condition on. What is nis in meal? Think if we threw a bale of hay in ring feeder in collection yard would that help?

Toetohand

Toetohand wrote: »

Cow condition is good enough. Always a few you’d like a bit more condition on. What is nis in meal? Think if we threw a bale of hay in ring feeder in collection yard would that help?

Cows are all hol/Fr. About 80/20 in general.

Brown Podzol

freedominacup wrote: »

The point on the ring itself. A good big shot of local into the top of the nose once you have him restrained. He won't even know its being done to him.

I have also heard of the prong of a pike being used or what ever he call it where you are.:rolleyes:

Keepgrowing

Brown Podzol wrote: »

I have also heard of the prong of a pike being used or what ever he call it where you are.:rolleyes:

Using a fish to ring a bull is a new one to me

Mooooo

Toetohand wrote: »

Cow condition is good enough. Always a few you’d like a bit more condition on. What is nis in meal? Think if we threw a bale of hay in ring feeder in collection yard would that help?

Nis is a type of pelleted straw I think, never used it just see lads adding it to try and increase the bf. If it's handy try the hay shir, don't force them to eat it leave it up to themselves

Keep Sluicing

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Using a fish to ring a bull is a new one to me

Yeez talks funny ups der in da middle lands... suppose you call it a fork or, god forbid, a sprong.

visatorro

Dumped a tank of milk the other day. Antibiotics. At least it was noticed!

Like everyone else Growth has disappeared. Was still feeding silage anyway, just making up most of the diet now. Wholecrop as well.

Gawddawggonnit

Fined €1200 yesterday for spraying glyphosate around farm buildings on an outside farm. Some bollix must have reported it...

Reggie.

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

Fined €1200 yesterday for spraying glyphosate around farm buildings on an outside farm. Some bollix must have reported it...

Ffs

alps

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

Fined €1200 yesterday for spraying glyphosate around farm buildings on an outside farm. Some bollix must have reported it...

Irish farmers getting a bad name ! !

Buford T. Justice XIX

Making life a bit easier in future.

Still waiting for an electrician so should be working in the next day or two.