Beef / Lamb & Pig Price Tracker

[neilo]

I thought that as getting a bit high tech there with the mention of dm/ha for us sheep boys but then you went and saved it with the mention of using a coke can!

In short, most sheep men graze it too short and for too long, which is the same reason that those grazing sheep on their own ground all winter (most of this place included), are then moaning about having no grass in the Spring.

It's nothing revolutionary, the dairy grazers have been doing it for years. Maybe we should be taking a leaf out of their book, instead of blaming the idea that ground is somehow 'sheep sick', then throwing concentrates out to compensate?

 

[Estate fencing.]

In short, most sheep men graze it too short and for too long, which is the same reason that those grazing sheep on their own ground all winter (most of this place included), are then moaning about having no grass in the Spring.

It's nothing revolutionary, the dairy grazers have been doing it for years. Maybe we should be taking a leaf out of their book, instead of blaming the idea that ground is somehow 'sheep sick', then throwing concentrates out to compensate?

Sorry off topic! But this is what I’m doing with my 500 shepherded ewes, they have been way until today (on rough grass then our own seeds) where they have gone onto good covers that I have split into 2ha paddocks. Once they have done a full rotation they with come into the shed and hopefully they will leave the first paddocks green and ready to grow in March. They are lovely condition now and have some good silage (I think) and beet for them when they come in.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Sorry off topic! But this is what I’m doing with my 500 shepherded ewes, they have been way until today (on rough grass then our own seeds) where they have gone onto good covers that I have split into 2ha paddocks. Once they have done a full rotation they with come into the shed and hopefully they will leave the first paddocks green and ready to grow in March. They are lovely condition now and have some good silage (I think) and beet for them when they come in.

That’s what I’ve tried doing….bring them in early To save the fields and get some good grass growing…then all I seem to get is the fat lazy b@stares prolapsing more…which I put down to them not getting as much exercise as when they are trudging through the clarts

 

[Mc115reed]

It's been dry, so lots of dairy cattle/youngstock will have taken Autumn covers down already. To get early Spring growth, you ideally want to have covers of about 12-1500 kg DM/ha iirc, or about the height of a coke can lieing on it's side. Grazed any lower than that and you are delaying growth next Spring. The trouble with tack sheep is that they will often take grass down below that, especially later in the Winter, when it's doing most harm, unless that is arranged with the tack grazer of course.

It won't go yellow at those covers.

Most places I graze tell me too graze it as bare as possible they think it comes back better I’m not high tech enough to even know what dm/ha is or how it’s measured I just do as I’m told and everybody seems to be happy with it …. But I don’t graze dairy farms they think there grass is made of gold

 

[Anymulewilldo]

That’s what I’ve tried doing….bring them in early To save the fields and get some good grass growing…then all I seem to get is the fat lazy b@stares prolapsing more…which I put down to them not getting as much exercise as when they are trudging through the clarts

Yep. Pretty much! Thankfully we’ve a bank field behind the buildings. Whenever the weather picks up they all get turfed out too exercise. Use it as a sacrifice paddock (too steal a dairy term!!

although 100 ewes/ acre is a bit thick on! If we get a couple of dry weeks in late feb/early March though they can be fed on the bank and stay out, it’s amazing how happy and bright they look

 

[livestock 1]

That’s what I’ve tried doing….bring them in early To save the fields and get some good grass growing…then all I seem to get is the fat lazy b@stares prolapsing more…which I put down to them not getting as much exercise as when they are trudging through the clarts

Have you any thoughts on what causes prolapses? Me and any of my vets have theroys but little proof. Over fat ewes and feeding sugarbeet pellets is all I have for definite the rest is all if’s

 

[neilo]

Most places I graze tell me too graze it as bare as possible they think it comes back better I’m not high tech enough to even know what dm/ha is or how it’s measured I just do as I’m told and everybody seems to be happy with it …. But I don’t graze dairy farms they think there grass is made of gold

Take advantage then, but they will be delaying regrowth and likely looking over the fence at the dairy farmers and moaning because their grass is a month in front in the Spring...

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Have you any thoughts on what causes prolapses? Me and any of my vets have theroys but little proof. Over fat ewes and feeding sugarbeet pellets is all I have for definite the rest is all if’s

IMO if they are inside it’s lack of exercise
But outside I reckon you get years where you get none and years where you get loads

 

[livestock 1]

IMO if they are inside it’s lack of exercise
But outside I reckon you get years where you get none and years where you get loads

I put a fair few in to lamb and do get some but we let ewes out through the day for a few hours to eat beet and get caked might help if your theory is right

 

[jendan]

If you think it's pasteurella, why have you given them Covexin, and not Ovivac P? :scratchead:

I wish I could get deadstock lifted for £7.50. It's more than double that here.

Fairly sure it would be Pulpy,and they were due the Covexin anyway.When ive used Ovivac p in the past,i still had deaths,so think its not worth the extra money.My vet also said it only covers one type,and there are several. Competition from Dundas up here has nearly halved the price for sheep.

 

[livestock 1]

Fairly sure it would be Pulpy,and they were due the Covexin anyway.When ive used Ovivac p in the past,i still had deaths,so think its not worth the extra money.My vet also said it only covers one type,and there are several. Competition from Dundas up here has nearly halved the price for sheep.

Knackerman told my lad the other day that they are making that much money out of dead stock they will be paying us for it again soon

 

[sherg]

IMO if they are inside it’s lack of exercise
But outside I reckon you get years where you get none and years where you get loads

We used to get a lot when we fed hay inside and corned them twice a day, moved to haylage and once a day feeding and it was loads better

 

[Northeastfarmer]

We used to get a lot when we fed hay inside and corned them twice a day, moved to haylage and once a day feeding and it was loads better

I won’t feed sheep hay ever

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Knackerman told my lad the other day that they are making that much money out of dead stock they will be paying us for it again soon

It’s a p!ss take they don’t now

 

[Mc115reed]

Take advantage then, but they will be delaying regrowth and likely looking over the fence at the dairy farmers and moaning because their grass is a month in front in the Spring...

I don’t get kicked off 90% of my grass until April so I don’t think they’ll get too upset just yet

 

[Estate fencing.]

That’s what I’ve tried doing….bring them in early To save the fields and get some good grass growing…then all I seem to get is the fat lazy b@stares prolapsing more…which I put down to them not getting as much exercise as when they are trudging through the clarts

I get loads up of prolapses in both in winter and outside ewes. But all my sheep are fat anyway. I have 30 harnesses and most are taken off early ewes and put back on late ewes.

 

[Mc115reed]

I get loads up of prolapses in both in winter and outside ewes. But all my sheep are fat anyway. I have 30 harnesses and most are taken off early ewes and put back on late ewes.

Didn’t have any prolapses this year at lambing and then 6 weeks after lambing I had 2 which was very odd

 

[Estate fencing.]

Quick someone put some beef prices up before we get a rollocking!

 

[ford4000]

Has anyone else noticed that if there's a cold dry wind blowing you are much more likely to get ewes prolapsing then ?

 

[cattleman123]

I won’t feed sheep hay ever

Why note...nothing like good hay for sheep