All things Dairy

[Regen Cornwall]

As long as you put a small attribution that the photo is © Cowabunga underneath in small type [as you see at the bottom of each post of mine]. Carry on for that specific use.

Thank you and best wishes for 2020.

 

[Headless chicken]

I don’t know of many farmers that would say that here. A few would flat out dispute it. Agriculture gets the sh!t end of all sticks here just like any other country.

Dairy here is all quota though which has helped it stay ahead of other countries that chose to eliminate the quota system. We import very minimal dairy products, even with the increase of American dairy products last year.

fair comments. Am I right in thinking you’ve got closer links with the beef industry? How would your beef price compare to us?

 

[Llmmm]

Overkill

After many years wanting a similar setup which would be a dream to work in i came to my senses hutches not a single case of pnuemonia ever ive seen these fancy set ups cost a fortune and calves in hutches will always outperform.

 

[TheRanger]

incredible what’s achievable when you live in a country that respects its farmers.

@Blaithin how much would concrete cost over with you guys and what sort of money would milk be?

Have asked on here before if anyone knew of any companies selling these type of calf pens in the UK. Or any farms using them.

Standard Calf Zone - VES-Artex

VES-Artex Standard Calf Zone pens are fully customizable with various wall lengths, back wall options, and bucket and bottle holder options.

www.artexbarn.com

They also do a slatted floor version.

They look brilliant. I’m assuming the building work required would make it expensive.

 

[TheRanger]

...

 

[Blaithin]

fair comments. Am I right in thinking you’ve got closer links with the beef industry? How would your beef price compare to us?

Yes, I’m more beef. Can’t afford to buy a quota

Fed cattle look to be doing about $165/cwt right now.

Heres feeder cattle

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Probably one of the finest calf rearing setups I’ve ever seen

Damn. If milking cows and raising heifers required that much money in buildings I definitely wouldn’t want to milk cows.

That place is spotless, props to them

 

[s line]

Are you mob grazing, it looks like it?

No.

 

[Spudley]

Is there anyone mob grazing dairy cows?

 

[Cows 'n grass]

Is there anyone mob grazing dairy cows?

Not many but there are a few. Jonny Ryder would have been amongst the first and there's someone else who's name escapes me but he wrote a Nuffield report on it. @newholland is I believe heading that way to.

 

[Regen Cornwall]

No.

Ok, thanks. (-:

 

[Regen Cornwall]

Not many but there are a few. Jonny Ryder would have been amongst the first and there's someone else who's name escapes me but he wrote a Nuffield report on it. @newholland is I believe heading that way to.

Thank you - I think you mean Tom Chapman. (-:

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Is there anyone mob grazing dairy cows?

Define mob grazing

 

[Regen Cornwall]

Define mob grazing

Short, sharp, intensive grazing with relatively long grow back periods?

 

[vantage]

Define mob grazing

Eat half, trample half ?

 

[organicguy]

Not many but there are a few. Jonny Ryder would have been amongst the first and there's someone else who's name escapes me but he wrote a Nuffield report on it. @newholland is I believe heading that way to.

Rob Richmond at Cirencester

 

[newholland]

Eat 50%, trample 50% …… going well and plate meters sold.

 

[Beef farmer]

Eat 50%, trample 50% …… going well and plate meters sold.

Milk from forage up or down? Cost down? Production? Stocking rate?

 

[TomB]

Milk from forage up or down? Cost down? Production? Stocking rate?

The guys @Cows 'n grass mentions seem to do a cracking job oad. Low cost, fairly extensive, but does look a bit reliant on a good organic contract that likes spring milk and relatively cheap land cost (and a decent sized milking platform.

 

[Beef farmer]

The guys @Cows 'n grass mentions seem to do a cracking job oad. Low cost, fairly extensive, but does look a bit reliant on a good organic contract that likes spring milk and relatively cheap land cost (and a decent sized milking platform.

That's my point exactly. I love the idea, but could you buy a farm and pay it off from mob grazing 2x or even 1x? I've done a few budgets and you need to be reasonably stocked 5k+ liters at reasonable solids if you've got any level of mortgage.