- Location
- South Molton
All things Dairy
- Thread starter Cows 'n grass
- Start date
betweenthelines
Member
- Location
- southwest
Doesn't it raise questions about the whole "organic" thing/ethos, though?
Cows come in to get a made up feed rather than grass grass?
Not what a lot of people would think of as "natural" is it?
Cows come in to get a made up feed rather than grass grass?
Not what a lot of people would think of as "natural" is it?
- Location
- South Molton
What are you on about?
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
Surely if what they're coming in to eat it's organic as well it doesn't matter?
If you class yourself as ‘regenerative, grass fed’ just because it’s organic maybe. But a lot don’t as long as the feed is organic product then don’t think it’s a problem.
Spudley
Member
- Location
- Pembrokeshire
There's also the lure of fresh grass after visiting the robot.
- Location
- somerset
ours go out, munch grass, stand under hedge, or lie down where a breeze exists. Getting them in, they either start grazing again, or head to water trough, all in slow motion, evil getting them in.
On the newest ley, by night, when it should be cooler, they have regained the 2 litre drop.
1st year of using chicory, they love it, and where grass is 'thinner' really coming into it's own, as is plantain.
On the newest ley, by night, when it should be cooler, they have regained the 2 litre drop.
1st year of using chicory, they love it, and where grass is 'thinner' really coming into it's own, as is plantain.
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
Advice please, just had my nml text through and bacto is back up to 74 
last collection it was 12! Shall I get back in the tank and check in there first or wait for tonight's collection results first? I was finally coming back under 30 and would have been in the premium bracket again but now my average is back to 33 so wont be if I don't act asap so am learning towards getting in the tank?
last collection it was 12! Shall I get back in the tank and check in there first or wait for tonight's collection results first? I was finally coming back under 30 and would have been in the premium bracket again but now my average is back to 33 so wont be if I don't act asap so am learning towards getting in the tank?- Location
- Northumberland
Do you watch the tank do it's wash. Is it taking in plenty water. Is it hot enough. Is it drawing in the correct amount of chemical ?
Tirglas
Member
- Location
- West wales
My last 5 bacto for reference were 26,18, 56!, 14, 16. I held fire after the 56. I think I would wait for the next result in your situation. Or if tank is empty have a look and give the plant an extra acid wash.
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
No I don't, as tanker comes in late evenings, how much chenical and water is enough and how do you tell if it's taken up the right amount?
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
Mine have been 13, 19, 15, 13, 12 and then 74 which seems like a massive jump? I spoke to roddas and they've said they're happy to come in tomorrow morning so I cant atleast check it's all ok in there and then see what tonight's collection comes back as before checking/doing anything else?
Tirglas
Member
- Location
- West wales
If its drawing chemicals from a drum you could either put some in a jug or something. Use an alternative chemical in your tank and plant once or twice a week
Monday's bactoscan 5169 ! Wednesdays 20 not sure what happened
More of a problem when it creeps up slowly imo
More of a problem when it creeps up slowly imo
- Location
- Pembrokeshire
Check your paddle again
Was the paddle an issue before you took on the tenancy or since
betweenthelines
Member
- Location
- southwest
A cow's natural diet is grass. Enticing them in to be milked by offering goodies such as organic cow cake in the robot is discouraging them from eating their natural diet. I thought the whole ethos of "organic" farming was that the customer wants the cows to be on a "natural" diet as much as possible.
Sorry you don't understand what I asked. Or, apparently what your customers want.
- Location
- Northumberland
What type of tank is it
- Location
- Shropshire
Check the tank you may as well it’s normally what causes it if it is the tank your next one will be 5x again and as said use a milkstone remover in it once a week
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
Sorry I'm going to stick up for sid on this one, that's complete crap.
The whole idea of organic farming as far as I see it is to leave farm with the environment and leave it in a better state than you found it (which I hope to do with conventional but thats a different matter) and in order to do so you don't use things like sprays, inorganic fertilisers, etc.
I don't think the customer gives a sh!t if you feed a nut comprising of organically farmed barley, maize, wheat etc (maybe things like soya are more questionable) as long as those products are themselves organic (eg the barley is organic)
Plus as pointed out, the other reason they come through the robot is to get to fresh grazing/silage! Plus Sid has already mentioned on here in the past that once his cows are back in calf they are expected to eat lots of grass and little concentrate
I do however think that organic customers would be concerned if the milk they were buying was made from cows who weren't in good condition because they weren't being milked often enough as they weren't visiting the milking parlour (be it robot or not!) Or else were leaving the herd early as they weren't getting back in-calf or were in generally poor condition as they werent being fed correctly (ie through a cake)
Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
