All things Dairy

[Scholsey]

We used shrimpton hill on the tail ender generally calved between 5-7 days early and calves sold for between 300-350 at 6wks old, very easy calving as well. Just shows everyone’s cows are different I spose.

think the Hereford X will soon have its day once grazed beef units are back in fashion.

 

[nonemouse]

You can put your best semen on your best cows but it doesn’t mean your calf will be any good
Milked for a bloke along time ago who used test bulls of of Somerset cattle breeders ,paid £5/6 a straw and had a better herd than his brother in law who picked and chose different bulls for each cows and paid big money for the semen to do it

We’ve been using genus test bulls for the last 12 years, out of 24 bulls used I think only 1 has made the catalog (relough generate) but none have thrown what I would call bad heifers ( unlike some proven bulls) and there is several I would quite happily use again paying full price if I could (especially Newhouse scurry)

 

[In the pit]

We’ve been using genus test bulls for the last 12 years, out of 24 bulls used I think only 1 has made the catalog (relough generate) but none have thrown what I would call bad heifers ( unlike some proven bulls) and there is several I would quite happily use again paying full price if I could (especially Newhouse scurry)

So why do people use the expensive unproven genomic bulls then???

 

[nonemouse]

So why do people use the expensive unproven genomic bulls then???

Good question, or why bother with an expensive progeny testing scheme? Presumably all bulls put into progeny testing have already been through genomic screening?

 

[cattow]

So why do people use the expensive unproven genomic bulls then???

They believe the salesperson

 

[Beef farmer]

A modest extention to allow more space for current stock and to cover yard

Same shed, same roof
No old one got as far as purlins being on before they buggered off. This one we only managed a frame

So they never roofed the last one?
Or have I read that wrong?

 

[Headless chicken]

So they never roofed the last one?
Or have I read that wrong?

Roofed the old one ( new builders) erected this to this stage and haven’t been back. Still got their bets up on old shed

 

[frederick]

We’ve been using genus test bulls for the last 12 years, out of 24 bulls used I think only 1 has made the catalog (relough generate) but none have thrown what I would call bad heifers ( unlike some proven bulls) and there is several I would quite happily use again paying full price if I could (especially Newhouse scurry)

I didn't think there was such a thing as test bulls now because they would all have a genomic proof.

 

[crashbox]

I didn't think there was such a thing as test bulls now because they would all have a genomic proof.

Still do test beef bulls (Genus Cornerstone)

 

[Wesley]

You can put your best semen on your best cows but it doesn’t mean your calf will be any good
Milked for a bloke along time ago who used test bulls of of Somerset cattle breeders ,paid £5/6 a straw and had a better herd than his brother in law who picked and chose different bulls for each cows and paid big money for the semen to do it

The trouble is unless you’re really into the breeding side of it it’s only really a stab in the dark. It takes a lifetime (or more) to breed a good herd of cows. Crap cows will only really produce crap cows regardless of the bull.

 

[nonemouse]

I didn't think there was such a thing as test bulls now because they would all have a genomic proof.

Genus still have ‘cornerstone’ testing scheme for dairy and beef, we’ve been using test bulls called adderly and maccles this winter

 

[Grassman247]

Anyone on here using a shear bucket? Shear grab is needing replacing and was wondering what’s peoples opinions on them

Got 2 pro dig ones here, very pleased with it, we only feed grass silage, sharpen ours once a week with cordless grinder and flappy wheel which makes a big difference

 

[Wesley]

So why do people use the expensive unproven genomic bulls then???

Its a marketing tool & thats about it.

 

[Fergieman]

We haven’t found that here but each to there own.

Another thing I am doing wrong - using Limo as the beef bull

 

[Jdunn55]

Current highest yielder, doing 54 litres from 12kg of cake fresh on her 3rd, excuse her tail haven't had a chance to clip them since she calved!

 

[Hotspur]

So why do people use the expensive unproven genomic

As far as I can see every one of the top proven bulls was an expensive Genomic bull a few years ago.

 

[Courier]

As far as I can see every one of the top proven bulls was an expensive Genomic bull a few years ago.

But has each and every expensive Genomic bull become a top proven bull ….?

 

[betweenthelines]

Current highest yielder, doing 54 litres from 12kg of cake fresh on her 3rd, excuse her tail haven't had a chance to clip them since she calved!

Proves the old saying that 90% of the breeding goes through the mouth.

 

[Jdunn55]

Proves the old saying that 90% of the breeding goes through the mouth.

What's wrong with feeding 12kg of cake? She's more than giving it back to me, she will be going to 14kg within the next week

 

[Courier]

What's wrong with feeding 12kg of cake? She's more than giving it back to me, she will be going to 14kg within the next week

Not every cow will convert cake and total feed at that rate - it’s a matter of testing them as individuals a la Ken Slater …