ollie989898
Member
Do you guys think there might come a time where the industry effectively pushes systems which require 365 year housing out completely? I know some milk buyers don't like these systems?
What's going on?
- Thread starter Bald Rick
- Start date
More to life
Member
- Location
- Somerset
Economics possibly, welfare no.
Love to know what state the dairy industry would be in and the milk price IF everybody had carried on with the friesian cows ,all year round calving and cake, grass and quality grass silage. It seems to me that the people peddling various systems,feeds , breeds and machinery have earnt more than the dairy farmer and knackered the job trying to reinvent the wheel.
The dairy industry has ended up with a crossbred cow that nobody wants, an image of pollution,neglect and alot of worn out expensive iron.
The dairy industry has ended up with a crossbred cow that nobody wants, an image of pollution,neglect and alot of worn out expensive iron.
frederick
Member
- Location
- south west
What's the crossbred nobody wants.
Mine are a Friesian Holstein Norwegian cross. Agent finds it far easier to find them a home than a Holstein and makes same money.
The harder cow to shift is a spring crossbred but that is probably more the time of year than the cow. Plus these spring Calvers produce heifers cheaper than anyone else and are running a different economic game.
Crossbreds have been bred to mostly be cheaper to keep in one way or another but it has also devalued the dairy cow. Im not a dairy farmer but im guessing a sturdy holstein friesian would still command a premium over any other breed of dairy cow on average. I know as a beef farmer that beef calves out of friesian type cows are like hens teeth and keenly fought over
One thing that will push the public to change to alternatives !
ollie989898
Member
Cripes, that kind of boss I would readily work for.
No difference in price with commercial herds, could buy xbred for the same money as pure breds, we're selling beef calves out of xbreds at a premium.
- Location
- South Molton
f**k me that's made for a depressing read, just got in from a lovely milking having had cuddles with the Queen of roses (big bertha)
I know I winge about it but there's no other job on this earth I'd rather do
Quite honestly I cannot understand why anyone is milking cows if they don't enjoy it, there's far better paying jobs out there, and life too short to get sh!t on by cows if you don't enjoy it
One thing I am looking forward to, land prices must be about to drop through the floor what with all these herds selling up, oh wait no downward movement there
I know a few with cows who don't like milking cows!
Let's just say you either learn fast or lose a lot of money fast!
- Location
- Pembrokeshire
Crossbreds because of the hybrid vigour are a much better cow than a purebred
Crossbreds can be anything
Holx. Frex. Jerx. Montyx. Fleckvx. Etc etc
Cows 'n grass
Member
- Location
- Modbury, South Devon
It won't always be the case that farmers who don't milk a lot do so because they don't enjoy milking
I've just dropped from 6 milkings a week back to 2 a week because I find milking is the easiest job to delegate and I just don't really have time to milk every day. I enjoy milking but it's fair to say I enjoy it a lot more when I'm doing 2-5 milkings a week rather than 10+.
I've just dropped from 6 milkings a week back to 2 a week because I find milking is the easiest job to delegate and I just don't really have time to milk every day. I enjoy milking but it's fair to say I enjoy it a lot more when I'm doing 2-5 milkings a week rather than 10+.
Absolutely spot on! Love milking, especially when it’s calving time or Spring, unfortunately just not enough hours in the day and luckily have 3 fairly reliable milkers.
Traditional British system. Doing it here as a first generation dairy farmer.
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
100% agree, currently doing 14 a week and spending a total of 21 hours in the pit
the evening milking in particular I absolutely detest just would rather be anywhere else purely because I don't get a break from them.Been saving my pennies and going to look for a relief after Christmas in prep for calving because I don't think I'll be able to cope on my own anymore if I'm calving any number of cows too
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
So do I and I just don't get it, and I don't mean the actual milking part but know people who just hate everything about dairying!
I'm hoping it's a case of both, lost a lot of money this year but hoping I'm learning just as quickly!
I think I am as I sent my monthly update to the bank manager today explaining why I'm £4000 on the wrong side of my predictions only to check again after sending the email and realise I'm actually £4000 on the correct side, worst part was I told him I'm trying to keep a better eye on the figures 1.So do I and I just don't get it, and I don't mean the actual milking part but know people who just hate everything about dairying!
I'm hoping it's a case of both, lost a lot of money this year but hoping I'm learning just as quickly!
2.
3.
What three things will you change to get on the correct side?
lazy farmer
Member
- Location
- som/dor border
Certainly doesn’t suit our buyer
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
1. Feed less cake and more grazed grass
2. Not move huge quantities of cows from spring calving to autumn and vice versa
3. Fence the entire farm properly next year the amount of time and money I lost this year from cows either escaping or else being in the wrong field/wrong side of the fence (and therefore messing the rotation up) is insane!
I could actually go on
4. Pay more and therefore be able to access a better relief milker therefore giving me a break once in a while
5. Not serve cows to calve all year round
6. Keep a much better record of cow and youngstock details
7. Keep a much better eye on finances (DO NOT DEVIATE FROM BUSINESS PLAN!!!!)
8. Pay a contractor to do first cut silage
9. Make sure all cows get a long enough dry period
10. Plan the week/month better
4 and 8 standouts
jimmer
Member
- Location
- East Devon
All these herds selling up, where are the parlours for sale?