All things Dairy

[Bald Rick]

Do you spin them faster to get the extra milk out?

spin ‘em soooo fast, it comes out like candy floss …

But if it was a serious question, then the answer is no. Rotation is about 9 minutes but we can, of course, alter it within certain limits .. mainly cow comfort

 

[Bald Rick]

Rachel Bowcutt used to work in the UK's dairy industry, which is known for being carbon intensive. The UN estimates that the dairy sector's global carbon dioxide emissions total some 1.7bn tonnes annually. That is more than the aviation sector's pre-pandemic 915m tonnes.
Previously, Ms Bowcutt was operations manager for the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers for two years, before quitting to take up a job at perhaps the organisation's nemesis - The Vegan Society.
She went vegan after reading reports, such as this from Oxford University, saying that a vegan diet "is probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth".
Ms Bowcutt says she had also started to feel uncomfortable about the dairy industry and its practices after watching a session at a work conference about the optimum time to take calves away from their mothers.
"It all felt a bit unnecessary in terms of animal welfare and the environmental impact. It got to the point where I thought this isn't for me anymore, and I wondered if there was an equivalent organisation for vegans - and the job came up."
Ms Bowcutt, who lives in Leamington Spa, in Warwickshire, started at the Vegan Society last year. "I have much more confidence about the work I'm involved in. I can see the benefits, it's easier to promote and a subject matter I really believe in."

Good old BBC, regurgitating the same old carp!

Good set of cabbage choppers there ….

 

[Jdunn55]

Not as good as @In the pit
These were the fields I grazed first on the last round, so lots of grass there which I think explains the higher ndf but lower me

Grazing them tight so hopefully better next time

 

[DairyGrazing]

Today we did something we should have done years ago .... split the herd

High group waiting to go for a spin

View attachment 1011439

It would be interesting to do it for a year. Then switch to a heifer group and 2nd lactaction and up group. To see which grouping was better.

 

[In the pit]

Not as good as @In the pit
These were the fields I grazed first on the last round, so lots of grass there which I think explains the higher ndf but lower me

Grazing them tight so hopefully better next time

Rocket fuel for cows

 

[Bald Rick]

It would be interesting to do it for a year. Then switch to a heifer group and 2nd lactaction and up group. To see which grouping was better.

Split in to three groups each with their own shed and bespoke tail tape (& diet)

Heifer and fresh
High
Low

 

[In the pit]

Split in to three groups each with their own shed and bespoke tail tape (& diet)

Heifer and fresh
High
Low

Let the work begin

 

[Conrod96]

If they are in their own separate shed anyway it’s not much extra work other than making differing ration

 

[lazy farmer]

If they are in their own separate shed anyway it’s not much extra work other than making differing ration

agreed if they are always kept in Seperate sheds. But for the rest off us is a major time eater. I don’t like drying off because I have multiple groups. I like the dry period because I can put the in calf heifers in with the cows and only have yearlings and dry cows. I don’t like calving cos there are 3 groups of cows but come may to nov only one group to think about. Proper lush.

 

[In the pit]

Moving cows round, you wouldn’t think is much extra work but it soon adds up

 

[Jdunn55]

Moving cows round, you wouldn’t think is much extra work but it soon adds up

I HATE moving cows around. It takes up so much time it's unbelievable - unless you have the right setup of course

 

[TomB]

Made a start on this years cow track extension. Not as flash as @lazy farmer but it’ll do.

 

[vantage]

Made a start on this years cow track extension. Not as flash as @lazy farmer but it’ll do.View attachment 1011477View attachment 1011478

I think your standing hay may have gone a bit far!

 

[Conrod96]

agreed if they are always kept in Seperate sheds. But for the rest off us is a major time eater. I don’t like drying off because I have multiple groups. I like the dry period because I can put the in calf heifers in with the cows and only have yearlings and dry cows. I don’t like calving cos there are 3 groups of cows but come may to nov only one group to think about. Proper lush.

Ah one group of cows… I’ll maybe find out what that’s like someday when the herd is split lol

 

[Bald Rick]

Let the work begin

Not much more if any tbh

 

[Bald Rick]

Moving cows round, you wouldn’t think is much extra work but it soon adds up

Again, not really. Shedding gate at morning milking then put them in to relevant shed

 

[Tim G]

Not much more if any tbh

Until you decide to milk the highs 3x.....

 

[Bald Rick]

Until you decide to milk the highs 3x.....

Tried x3 twice now and concluded that it doesn’t work with jerseys as there aren’t sufficient marginal litres to cover the extra cost of firing up the parlour, staffing it, water, power, cake etc

I think x3 only really works with high yielding Holstiens

 

[sidjon]

Well back under TB again , 2 reactors both dry cows, 2 years without any is the longest we have been clear since 1991, not surprised really as have have red deer dieing all over the place and the cull found some ill badgers again.

 

[Princess Pooper]

Well back under TB again , 2 reactors both dry cows, 2 years without any is the longest we have been clear since 1991, not surprised really as have have red deer dieing all over the place and the cull found some ill badgers again.