Dairy Chitchat 4, an udder new thread.

That is some cod isn't it ,no word about the huge cost to farmers of bvd testing .What could a blue card cost in printing and posting but is it n't the plan by the dept that you will have to photagraph your calf also when born

But if the department don't need the blue card why would we? All the details you need are on your phone.

I'm sure that's not far away either, obviously security would be more important with the movement of people. Just wondering why would you be opposed to the idea of getting rid of the blue card?

Cattle will be scanned like sheep in the mart and factory with reader and put into system to transfer from herd, there will be no need for the card, cattle Eid tags should have come in when the sheep came in and make TB testing very simple.

Can those people not still write down numbers? Maybe they could use a book with a blue cover?

To be fair I think the older generation are not given enough credit for their resourcefulness and ability to adapt. I'm talking daily with farmers in their 70s and 80s who mange their farms with the aid of a computer and/or smart phone.

The amount of completely technology illiterate people is reducing and those who for whatever reason don't want to learn usually find some other way to cope either over the phone or through family members/advisors etc.

Ask Any board bia auditor about the amount of blue books still in use. The amount of white cards and the sheets from the registration book, sent in to register animals. Not so much in dairy farms. Still a lot of older farmers around, that like to do their own business, than asking relatives or having to get WiFi. Coverage is still bad in some places

Had a lad we sold calves to in the spring ring me over Christmas. He had sold some of them and told the buyer he could apply for the movement on line as he didn't want to look stupid. He hadn't a breeze. He was registered on agfood but never used it. He would be a good bit younger than me. He brought his phone up to me and I sorted it. I asked him would he be able do it on his own next time and he said not a hope

???

How could they if they are done away with? Sounds like another benefit to not having them to me.

A printout of the current profile would be much simpler wouldn't it? High stocked elderly farmers in the QA scheme without internet would be a very small group.

He found a way to be fair to him.

I know it may be an extra expense but a subscription to some of the farm packages would simplify movements and registrations compared with using the Agfood site, as well as keeping drug records and all things audit related together especially if working entirely on mobile.

You can still apply for movements by post can't you?

Had a co op rep ring me on Friday seeing if I am still planning on becoming a milk supplier..she said its concerning for the Co ops with the amount of lads getting out via retirement and lack of new people coming along to replace them

Could be interesting timed ahead

Tirlin higher powers still have themselves convinced milk supply will increase by 2.5% this year compared to last year and I think go up by a average of 1% a year, it's dillisional thinking especially with the cut to 220kgs this year.

They honestly think the majority of suppliers will go out and pay huge rental fees for extra land just to keep them in milk, can't see it myself personally anyone you'd be talking to are cutting back numbers and culling out the rubbish

Glanbia people on the ground say they're crying out for milk. If they paid properly it mightnt be a problem

I often spend a lot of time showing the same farmers the same thing a couple of times, young and old in the end most are happier at the improved efficiency they receive and having access to data instantly without having to look through reams of paper. I've no issue showing anyone the same thing multiple times if it helps them and if they are stuck can help enter the data remotely for them or share a screen and go through step by step.

When people get used to it yes the benefits absolutely outway the costs, I've yet to come across a customer young or old who has not been happier to not have to keep the herd register once they got used to online, sure some are sceptical at the start as to whether or not it's sufficient.

Not that there is actually much to do with keeping the online register, except tick a little box to say you are using online and then keep movement permits/registrations in order which you have to do anyway. Then keep a log of drugs on paper or on PC or in the cloud.

A million to get into 100 cows …..jaysus won’t be long going broke if true