All things Dairy

[In the pit]

Selling semen would be a better job

 

[Ducati899]

I have more interest in the breeding side of things than the milking to be honest, I've already got the semen here as well now. I want to fix and prevent the problem, If I served to beef this year its just kicking the can down the road for the year after when I'll have just as many problems if it's not solved but I understand where you are coming from

before we started dairy we bred and showed pedigree cattle for a good number of years,when we started milking we bought what we could afford to get milk in the tank and money in the bank. The breeding mindset had to go for a good few years to get established,my advice would be to get that mindset out your head also and just get yourself settled and once you’ve done that then maybe look back into the breeding side of it,otherwise I’d just give up milking now else you’ll just end up treading water

 

[Shuffle]

Another year another apprentice puts their notice in. This one is moving to the other end of the country. Back on the recruitment treadmill.

 

[Sid]

TikTok - Make Your Day

Which forumite has been out buying cows again?

 

[betweenthelines]

I have more interest in the breeding side of things than the milking to be honest, I've already got the semen here as well now. I want to fix and prevent the problem, If I served to beef this year its just kicking the can down the road for the year after when I'll have just as many problems if it's not solved but I understand where you are coming from

Until you get everything else right, you won't realise the full potential of the cows you breed.

Milking at odd times, breaks in feed, change of routine, anything like that and the cows won't like it.

Get your farm running right first, then look at improving the stock.

 

[Beef farmer]

Sure a crap cow looked after well will look after you better than a good Cow kept badly.

 

[Martyn]

What would people do? We are changing from Autumn to May/June these will calving in at 30months+ to fit that block, would you sell them and buy again the right age or keep and risk large heifers entering the herd?

 

[Rossymons]

What would people do? We are changing from Autumn to May/June these will calving in at 30months+ to fit that block, would you sell them and buy again the right age or keep and risk large heifers entering the herd? View attachment 1031574

With your herd health status would you be able to find the right animals?

 

[Beef farmer]

What would people do? We are changing from Autumn to May/June these will calving in at 30months+ to fit that block, would you sell them and buy again the right age or keep and risk large heifers entering the herd? View attachment 1031574

Calve them at 21 months. Simples

 

[Martyn]

With your herd health status would you be able to find the right animals?

Good question, possibly would look at cross breds.

 

[Martyn]

Calve them at 21 months. Simples

If I corn them would 21 be possible?

 

[Beef farmer]

If I corn them would 21 be possible?

Yes

 

[Rossymons]

If I corn them would 21 be possible?

You wouldn't need much more than what you're already doing? Its only 3 months...once

 

[Martyn]

You wouldn't need much more than what you're already doing? Its only 3 months...once

Ok I'll put 2kg of crimp barley into them over the summer, look to serve October time.

 

[coomoo]

What would people do? We are changing from Autumn to May/June these will calving in at 30months+ to fit that block, would you sell them and buy again the right age or keep and risk large heifers entering the herd? View attachment 1031574

There’s a draw in there for me, 10 strongest calve early as suggested. Other half sell keep grass and buy some crossbreds to top up as and when as an insurance

 

[Shuffle]

What would people do? We are changing from Autumn to May/June these will calving in at 30months+ to fit that block, would you sell them and buy again the right age or keep and risk large heifers entering the herd? View attachment 1031574

Keep them and serve. To fit our Heifer block we'll calve at anything from 23 to 29 months, no issues. You know the health and genetics of these, that has a value.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

Ok I'll put 2kg of crimp barley into them over the summer, look to serve October time.

There are lots of Jersey's in the US served at 10/11 months.

They probably spend less time living on the side of a cliff eating rough grass than mine do ..

 

[More to life]

There are lots of Jersey's in the US served at 10/11 months.

They probably spend less time living on the side of a cliff eating rough grass than mine do ..

i'll calve 2-3 heifers a year at 21 months once there big enough there served regardless of age.

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

What would people do? We are changing from Autumn to May/June these will calving in at 30months+ to fit that block, would you sell them and buy again the right age or keep and risk large heifers entering the herd? View attachment 1031574

Keep them and calve them. I really don’t understand why calving a few at 30 months is such a dirty word.

 

[Spudley]

We calve at 21 months. It's very possible. I wouldn't say we push the heifers excessively but we do them well. They are Norwegian/viking red and monty crosses.