Getting rid of the diet feeder?

[Beef farmer]

Keeping protein on the low side to fresh calvers might help.

@foab already does this, how low are you talking?

 

[O'Reilly]

Arla solids contract. The clamps are only 10 yards from the buildings but the yard levels don't run in the right direction making self feed a lot of concreting work. The aim of the herd is to make money at most milk prices but we are still finding out exactly how to achieve that.

How much would OOPF cost and how many would be required for 420 cows? I would think the capital investment would be prohibitive. The aim is to change the feeding system without having to invest.

You'd need 17 stalls, can't remember what size your parlour is, but if it 20 a side, just as well have 20 stalls and done with so that each side can eat as they come out with no fighting. Probably cost 30-40k with a bin, maybe more.
Could work well, being able to feed high protein feed in one system to match the maize, and a general concentrate in the other.
The capital outlay would only be once, no maintenance unlike the mixer wagon, or labour

 

[Gron-cow-ski]

You'd need 17 stalls, can't remember what size your parlour is, but if it 20 a side, just as well have 20 stalls and done with so that each side can eat as they come out with no fighting. Probably cost 30-40k with a bin, maybe more.
Could work well, being able to feed high protein feed in one system to match the maize, and a general concentrate in the other.
The capital outlay would only be once, no maintenance unlike the mixer wagon, or labour

Thank you for the figures.

 

[Beef farmer]

You'd need 17 stalls, can't remember what size your parlour is, but if it 20 a side, just as well have 20 stalls and done with so that each side can eat as they come out with no fighting. Probably cost 30-40k with a bin, maybe more.
Could work well, being able to feed high protein feed in one system to match the maize, and a general concentrate in the other.
The capital outlay would only be once, no maintenance unlike the mixer wagon, or labour

Sale of the mixer and tractor would cover it.

 

[Stinker]

You'd need 17 stalls, can't remember what size your parlour is, but if it 20 a side, just as well have 20 stalls and done with so that each side can eat as they come out with no fighting. Probably cost 30-40k with a bin, maybe more.
Could work well, being able to feed high protein feed in one system to match the maize, and a general concentrate in the other.
The capital outlay would only be once, no maintenance unlike the mixer wagon, or labour

Would they want a big load of cake after just having a load on the Parlour? Think you only need 1 per 30 cows but they would want access all day in my opinion. Just sell the cows and buy new ones. Will never be a better time.

 

[Beef farmer]

Would they want a big load of cake after just having a load on the Parlour? Think you only need 1 per 30 cows but they would want access all day in my opinion. Just sell the cows and buy new ones. Will never be a better time.

If tb free that would be my 1st choice.

 

[multi power]

With a block calving situation you may only need it for 140 days. So I'd buy a 3.5 ton redrock shear grab, put the blocks out gently and go for every other day feeding

Best post in ages

 

[O'Reilly]

Would they want a big load of cake after just having a load on the Parlour? Think you only need 1 per 30 cows but they would want access all day in my opinion. Just sell the cows and buy new ones. Will never be a better time.

Autumn calvers would be in doors at peak yield/feed demand anyway. Having read the 'where to buy cows thread', I'm not sure that selling and buying cows is such a good idea either, with disease risk and so on.

 

[Stinker]

I genuinely don't think you need more than the 7kgs of cake with the maize otherwise why are you feeding it. If you were feeding 5kg of wheat a day instead would you need more than 7kg of hdf cake.? That's 1.8 ton for the winter never mind when they go out.

 

[Gron-cow-ski]

Would they want a big load of cake after just having a load on the Parlour? Think you only need 1 per 30 cows but they would want access all day in my opinion. Just sell the cows and buy new ones. Will never be a better time.

TB is the big problem with that idea.

 

[Stinker]

Autumn calvers would be in doors at peak yield/feed demand anyway. Having read the 'where to buy cows thread', I'm not sure that selling and buying cows is such a good idea either, with disease risk and so on.

True but it takes a long time to breed the right cow

 

[PREES]

With a block calving situation you may only need it for 140 days. So I'd buy a 2 ton redrock shear grab, put the blocks out gently and go for every other day feeding

This is exactly what we are proposing to do this winter, anybody want a secondhand mixer wagon?

 

[Beef farmer]

This is exactly what we are proposing to do this winter, anybody want a secondhand mixer wagon?

Mine sold well, infact both of them did.

 

[More to life]

Straights are circa £40 a ton cheaper than cake feed 400t and you save £16000 sorts you running costs

 

[multi power]

Straights are circa £40 a ton cheaper than cake feed 400t and you save £16000 sorts you running costs

Grass is even cheaper

 

[More to life]

Grass is even cheaper

Not in December

 

[Beef farmer]

Not in December

You tried it in January.

 

[More to life]

You tried it in January.

Didn't like it

 

[O'Reilly]

Straights are circa £40 a ton cheaper than cake feed 400t and you save £16000 sorts you running costs

Depreciation, diesel, repairs, labour, for 16k/yr? Sounds a bit light?

I guess the other thing would be to change the kit, and keep it in warranty? Swap repair costs for finance costs?

But really think clamping the rape, and maybe some other concs, and feeding with a very big bucket/ grab is the best idea.

 

[pappuller]

Not in December

I'll let you know.