Fenwick
Member
- Location
- Bretagne France
Looking like a good start to your last round of 2020
Hoping to sneak a second one in after this.
Looking like a good start to your last round of 2020
We did, and even got the sheep onto a bit of it for a preliminary 3rd grazing. Just needed that fine browntop leaf taken off, because of the way I set up the calf grazing I didn't have as much pressure on them and I feared I'd be pushing the sward compostion the wrong way if I didn't take it down evenlyHoping to sneak a second one in after this.
What would have happened if you didn’t graze down evenly with this sward?We did, and even got the sheep onto a bit of it for a preliminary 3rd grazing. Just needed that fine browntop leaf taken off, because of the way I set up the calf grazing I didn't have as much pressure on them and I feared I'd be pushing the sward compostion the wrong way if I didn't take it down evenly View attachment 909720
We'll find out, with a lot of it.What would have happened if you didn’t graze down evenly with this sward?
I hate lambing indoors but lambing outside in snow or sleet is worse. Older ewes you would probably get away with but hoggs is jistt asking for trouble with you have somewhere you can put them under cover for a day or two.Thank you!
I think we may end up with the hoggs in the hothouse just to keep that chill off them if it snows - folk thought Alex was mad putting it in but it's worth it's weight sometimes!
I'm very sorry to hear about your brother.Ended up deciding to cut another 3 acres of free 2nd cut grass in that silly steep field that I get on Monday night baled it Tuesday very green before rain. last cut 19th July I normally only take 1 cut off it and leave it at that to grow back in over winter as I can’t get stock to it but there was loads on it this time so I’ve robbed it but will put some muck on this year and give it 9 months to recover View attachment 909906View attachment 909908
10 bales in total
There was a bit off a crappy 3/4 bale of the steep bit with a bit of soil from moles so put that out to cows on a steep mossy patch and spread out to rummage through see what happens.
Will probably feed these bales straight out outside as cows will crap thin off it so better off outside rather than inside when trying to keep things dry.View attachment 909909
In the holistic context of things of making things easier the new geared reels arrived. Seem decent enough View attachment 909907
And bought a calving gate to go in another shed where I don’t have any yokes.
Had to many near misses with cows moving around with calving aid out the back.
Safety comes first now. View attachment 909905
I need to have a proper study now around the farm to make things as easy and quick as possible for a one man band.
Main reason being is that pops (my main help) is going to have isolate a lot more now as my kid brother has just been informed his brain cancer has returned for the 3rd time so is going through some more chemo treatment over winter and he’s his main carer so need to keep him away from as many bugs as possible.
Plus I’ve got a young family now so even the misses can’t help right much as she has the little one to look after.
Main problem is the weekly muck out of the cow shed which is a 2 man job.
And me cancer is worth turning off the swear-filter about thinking of ya KarlI'm very sorry to hear about your brother.
I have a head gate just like that and it works well, rigged it up on an RSJ and have a side gate that can be folded back, I have a rope on the head latch so it can be pulled shut from behind and the whole lot can be folded against the side of the shed to save room when not in use, will find the photos later if its of any helpEnded up deciding to cut another 3 acres of free 2nd cut grass in that silly steep field that I get on Monday night baled it Tuesday very green before rain. last cut 19th July I normally only take 1 cut off it and leave it at that to grow back in over winter as I can’t get stock to it but there was loads on it this time so I’ve robbed it but will put some muck on this year and give it 9 months to recover View attachment 909906View attachment 909908
10 bales in total
There was a bit off a crappy 3/4 bale of the steep bit with a bit of soil from moles so put that out to cows on a steep mossy patch and spread out to rummage through see what happens.
Will probably feed these bales straight out outside as cows will crap thin off it so better off outside rather than inside when trying to keep things dry.View attachment 909909
In the holistic context of things of making things easier the new geared reels arrived. Seem decent enough View attachment 909907
And bought a calving gate to go in another shed where I don’t have any yokes.
Had to many near misses with cows moving around with calving aid out the back.
Safety comes first now. View attachment 909905
I need to have a proper study now around the farm to make things as easy and quick as possible for a one man band.
Main reason being is that pops (my main help) is going to have isolate a lot more now as my kid brother has just been informed his brain cancer has returned for the 3rd time so is going through some more chemo treatment over winter and he’s his main carer so need to keep him away from as many bugs as possible.
Plus I’ve got a young family now so even the misses can’t help right much as she has the little one to look after.
Main problem is the weekly muck out of the cow shed which is a 2 man job.
will find some later, set it up much the same as yours so both sides can be swung out the way but I wanted ours on the bedded area in the shed as I think it is better for calving or making a calf suck, most times we don't have to use for most but it is handy and saferWe just yoke them, and the side gates on the crush open, one swings from the front and the other from behindView attachment 909928
not the perfect setup as it could make them yard-shy, Ideally I would have a little box on wheels I could set up in the field rather than needing to bring the cow + calves in. But it works.
Would like a pic of your setup though @Henarar
Our crush is on a concrete pad, so the weigh bars and platform sit level for weighing - which really makes it a nuisance for getting a calf to drink as the pic above shows - they have their front feet on the pad and their bum downhill, and don't get the right crook in their neck. Can cause scoury calves if the esophageal (sp?) groove isn't shut.will find some later, set it up much the same as yours so both sides can be swung out the way but I wanted ours on the bedded area in the shed as I think it is better for calving or making a calf suck, most times we don't have to use for most but it is handy and safer
Can I suggest that you find out what spanners fit the bolts on the adjustable/ removable side of the yoke and hang them up on the beam above the yoke along with a hammer. If a cow goes down you might need them in a hurry. Probably 2 x 17mm but some of those yokes use 16mm headed bolts.Just setting up right nowView attachment 909944View attachment 909945View attachment 909946
this is how mine is going to be I think.
Bolted the hinges from pillar to swing both ways.
Scaffold pole wile be into a hole in floor and bolted to rsj for other side of yoke to fasten to.
rsj will be plated down the wall just so it can’t slide anywhere if something starts to shove and pull.
can then mount a gate to pole to create a little race with a rope like @Henarar to close yoke from behind.
Should be able to use setup from both sides hopefully and everything should be a 1 man job hopefully.
im on the lookout for a new crush too for tb testing in the yard outside.
My 18 self locking yokes are great for general use but not the best/safest way for tb testing as there’s to much movement from the cattle.
with regards to tb I’ve just had a stroke off luck this month as everyone in my hillside has just been put into a 12 month testing restriction as there has been a local inconclusive breakdown.
I have just scrapped out off the restriction zone by the skin off my teeth thankfully so still on 4 yearly.
Poor buggers have to test everything 3 times in 12 months now it will be a right ball ache for some folk.
Great shoutCan I suggest that you find out what spanners fit the bolts on the adjustable/ removable side of the yoke and hang them up on the beam above the yoke along with a hammer. If a cow goes down you might need them in a hurry. Probably 2 x 17mm but some of those yokes use 16mm headed bolts.