Recent content by Samcowman

Dutch elm was pre my time but I have been told they were the dominant tree around here and the landscape changed. Interestingly we have an ash tree in the field out the back here that we have been waiting to finish dying. This year has been its best year in the 10 years we have been here. Only...

I look at it as a free reseed (I hope) and a learning experience. A tool that can be used in certain situations to increase productivity long term but would definitely cost productivity over a single season.

Good problem to have Pete. As long as you don’t make the same mistake I did this year and stay slow but get round it all and even though everything was definitely recovered and well seeded out. What I should have done was skipped the last couple of paddocks and gone back to the beginning and...

Just looked it up in Cotswold Seeds £££££. Westerwolds looks much cheaper but probably wouldn’t get the bulk but maybe higher quality. I am looking at options for planting next autumn for some guaranteed silage cut the next spring. May just go for Italian and red. For grazing after as well.

You take the notes we will copy them 😂

What was the feed value of the rye and vetch in the end when fed? Do you know the cost/tonne of getting it into the clamp. Does look a good crop.

@StormInATeaCup There’s some guys on Salisbury plain that would be organic and finishing. Neil Harley being one. Spends his time between there and the farm in Shropshire. Would be worth getting in touch with.

Ours get nothing but silage and put weight on. That’s Charolais, Angus and Fleckvieh. From first year bulls at 2 upwards.

Could claim the VAT back on it then as well 😂

Same with the different varieties of ryegrass. They only see the different performances when maxing our fert use. Whereas is in the real world those grasses really struggle unless constantly fed out of a bag.

What’s the plan with regards to the buttercups for next winter? Keep disturbing and long rests to help the more desirable species going forwards?

Blooody know it all. 😂 Go on then I’ll humour you. What is it then?

We are definitely going the other way. Drive over our river bridge this morning shifting cattle around so they are in place for Tb test tomorrow and the river was steaming!!

It’s the same here for selling our eggs from the gate. Last year people couldn’t get enough. This year we have too many chickens and the other farmer down the lane stopped selling this year due to people mocking the eggs and money last year. They want local and free range but it’s easier to get...

Yes rotate them. Shifting daily but do switch to every other day due to workload or family commitments. On target to hit 1200 animal days/ hectare. Averaging 0.75kg/ day at the moment. This is this leys first year so would expect more next year. No bloat issues. I think keeping them on the...