8 month winter?

[Aspiring Peasants]

Came in from feeding cows etc and realised they are now into their 8th month inside having come in on the 15th October. I don't think they will be out much before June after yesterday's rain.

Not so many years ago they would be out well into November and go back out early May. But in recent years the housed days have been creeping up. The extra cost of feed, time and bedding when the winter is so much longer is considerable .

Do you think it's worth keeping them anymore ?

By the way don't suggest out wintering because that is a pipe dream for most.

 

[Woolless]

Smaller cows?

 

[hally]

Same here.....waste of time tbh. Obviously paying better this year but don’t reckon they have made much money since the suckler cow premium was abandoned

 

[Agrivator]

Smaller cows?

Only if they are ''far away''.

Or sheep.

 

[Woolless]

Only if they are ''far away''.

Or sheep.

Is that you channelling your inner Father Dougal??

 

[serf]

If this crap weather carries on as a norm year in and out the majority of this country won't be conducive to farming as we used to know .

 

[Northeastfarmer]

If this crap weather carries on as a norm year in and out the majority of this country won't be conducive to farming as we used to know .

Biggest threat to farming is the weather

 

[serf]

Biggest threat to farming is the weather

And we can't do anything about it !
Regardless how much they think they can tax us on it (green taxes).

 

[lloyd]

Biggest threat to farming is the weather

And nut nuts.

 

[serf]

And nut nuts.

It might balance its self out. She won't let us do oat and we can't grow oat anyhow cos the weather sh!t so everyone will still go hungry

 

[Aspiring Peasants]

Smaller cows?

I think we'd have to change to Dexters to make much difference

Only if they are ''far away''.

Or sheep.

We have sheep and the obvious option is more of them. My concerns about that are.
1. Cows currently tidy up silage that is not sheep quality .

2. They allow mixed grazing that reduces worm burden

3. The aftermath from making silage for the cows provides clean grass for lambs

4. Extra sheep couldn't be carried outside over winter

5. There would be a lot less muck to improve pastures

6. If more people do this will the market for sheep be oversupplied?

7. There are plenty of people prepared to spend £2500 to £3000 for outfits even if they're buying silage. Am I missing something,?

 

[lloyd]

Came in from feeding cows etc and realised they are now into their 8th month inside having come in on the 15th October. I don't think they will be out much before June after yesterday's rain.

Not so many years ago they would be out well into November and go back out early May. But in recent years the housed days have been creeping up. The extra cost of feed, time and bedding when the winter is so much longer is considerable .

Do you think it's worth keeping them anymore ?

By the way don't suggest out wintering because that is a pipe dream for most.

NO

 

[Werzle]

Farmers have gone soft and pamper the cows too much i reckon, im guilty of it to a point too. I suppose we are keeping softer cows too that will not live hard. Go full circle and go back to black herefords!

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Farmers have gone soft and pamper the cows too much i reckon, im guilty of it to a point too. I suppose we are keeping softer cows too that will not live hard. Go full circle and go back to black herefords!

Wouldnt matter what breed they were if the land is too wet and no grass to carry them

 

[gwi1890]

Sell them, and contract rear dairy heiffers?

 

[Woolless]

This chat is the reason I have put on a small herd of cows. We are TB4 (actually exempt from testing) and we have ground suitable for outwintering cattle. Two big advantages.

 

[Agrivator]

Farmers have gone soft and pamper the cows too much i reckon, im guilty of it to a point too. I suppose we are keeping softer cows too that will not live hard. Go full circle and go back to black herefords!

There is a direct correlation between how much a cow needs pampering and her productivity.

A Holstein cow pampered inside will produce as much milk as 10 Highland cows outwintered on rushes and a view of the Atlantic.


And where are these black Herefords. Are you thinking of Welsh Blacks with big tits and a tendency towards antisocial behaviour?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I was sitting here 3 weeks ago thinking what will these dairy boys do if it don't rain , fields were burning fast , it's wet ATM , but I'm sure it will come , we in a lot better situation now than we were

 

[muleman]

Have a feeling it will rain all 'summer' now,long range forecast is comparing this springs weather pattern to 2012,theres just nothing that resembles summer and these weeks seem to fly by, still waiting for spring yet!

 

[gwi1890]

There is a direct correlation between how much a cow needs pampering and her productivity.

A Holstein cow pampered inside will produce as much milk as 10 Highland cows outwintered on rushes and a view of the Atlantic.


And where are these black Herefords. Are you thinking of Welsh Blacks with big tits and a tendency towards antisocial behaviour?

I presume Holstein x Hereford black body white head