Split block herds

[jimmer]

Usually seen as a ball ache
With some dairies insisting on a more level supply and the unavoidable cash flow yoyo, is running a split block herd that bad

Two 9 week blocks wouldn't have to overlap in breeding or calving
But are there issues with in parlour feeding unless individual feeding is possible and with recent dryer summers, stale autumns could potentially hamper grass intake potential from cows being served
Thoughts and other pros and cons please

 

[Martyn]

We did it for six years definitely gained a lot more efficiently from being single stricked block rather than two 10 week blocks.
Also lot simpler on the Brain, everyone knows the time of year and what should be happening, I think it makes you more alert and progressive. Cash flow is tricky being single block but am learning mechanisms to improve this.

 

[vantage]

Twin block here, have individual parlour feeding, plus a seg gate if needed. Keeps me interested , also cash flow is better, although if you have one block I guess you manage your cash well.

 

[frederick]

Split block is when I was the most profitable and in my opinion resources optimised the most.
However I am now back to just an autumn block and have regained 6months of my life.
To make it truly work the autumn and springs need to be in separate groups at all times.
It is handy that you can for the majority have one of the group's oad and graze the extremities of the farm
If you end up going down this route I would try to see if there was any way if creating a staffing arrangement that means you only mamage one of the group's and someone else manages the other.
For all other staffing it works quite well. But the essential high levels of management are needed for 12 month's rather than 6.

 

[Martyn]

Can you run one spring herd one autumn herd over your two units, option to roll cows over if needed.

 

[lazy farmer]

Just sounds complicated..
the differential in milk price would have to be absolutely massive for me to even consider it.
In fact I don’t think there is a price I would be prepared to accept.
there’s more to life than being bullied by your milk buyer. They don’t do their jobs 12 months of the yr, on their birthdays their kids birthdays, Christmas Day. F um

 

[More to life]

Just sounds complicated..
the differential in milk price would have to be absolutely massive for me to even consider it.
In fact I don’t think there is a price I would be prepared to accept.
there’s more to life than being bullied by your milk buyer. They don’t do their jobs 12 months of the yr, on their birthdays their kids birthdays, Christmas Day. F um

The industry moves so quickly I can imagine buyers accepting any pattern next year.

 

[vantage]

Just sounds complicated..
the differential in milk price would have to be absolutely massive for me to even consider it.
In fact I don’t think there is a price I would be prepared to accept.
there’s more to life than being bullied by your milk buyer. They don’t do their jobs 12 months of the yr, on their birthdays their kids birthdays, Christmas Day. F um

Maybe not by one person but most dairies right run 24/7, collecting and homing milk.

 

[jimmer]

Just sounds complicated..
the differential in milk price would have to be absolutely massive for me to even consider it.
In fact I don’t think there is a price I would be prepared to accept.
there’s more to life than being bullied by your milk buyer. They don’t do their jobs 12 months of the yr, on their birthdays their kids birthdays, Christmas Day. F um

Oh I agree 100% but some situations aren't black and white

 

[jimmer]

Can you run one spring herd one autumn herd over your two units, option to roll cows over if needed.

Doing that currently

 

[jimmer]

 

[jimmer]

Educated and experienced guess work would suggest that one larger parlour could milk 300 cows as efficiently as we are currently milking 180, let alone the extra cost of running staffing and maintaining another less efficient one as well to get same or similar output

 

[jimmer]

But as tenants, making the huge investment to milk/house and manage 300 on one site is a bit scary
Smaller farms housing would be ideal for a herd of dry springs for 3 months

 

[Beef farmer]

Doing that currently

So why change?

 

[sidjon]

All the farms from the discussion groups I belong to, haven't stuck to a split block ,normally it's for farms converting to a block, as thier fertility is sh!t and softens the pain of a 12 week block.

 

[Kiss]

stick to it simple one farm one block

the thought of 4 groups of youngstock puts me right off but I guess that wouldn’t affect you!

One big parlour doesn’t solve your dilemma either then you’ve got to cross roads and hold cows,

 

[Jdunn55]

My plan eventually is 100 springs (February-march) and 50 autumns (August-september)
My reasonings are mostly due to personal preference but there are a couple of cash reasons too

Firstly improved cash flow obviously
Secondly should roddas change payment schedule I can adapt quicker and easier than if I was all spring
Thirdly it puts a bit less pressure on grazing during the summer and autumn, 50 will be dry so should it go drier and growth slow in june-august I should be able to keep grass ahead of the springs better and likewise in the autumn/winter (september/october) I can keep the autumn's in by night if need must

My personal reasons being I hate culling cows, so I have the ability to move cows from one block to another if they slip, I know its not ideal but if I don't do that I'll end up continually serving and all year round which is worse. I will also be limiting how many times a cow can move blocks to once in 3 years
I also love seeing fresh cows in the parlour and I get bored when milking stale cows

 

[Martyn]

I'd stick to what your doing, ok your losing a bit of efficiency but you add up the true costs to move that infrastructure to one site then your could easily be working for couple of years to stay still. Only way I would do it is if there was another block of touching ground meaning you could combine your herd and move to say 400 cows.
Your a tenant, there are lots of risks involved with sticking than volume of cash into someone else's farm, with really only improving a bit of efficiency not making a big out put potential possible.

 

[More to life]

I think it will improve milking efficiency but create other bottle necks. Zero overall gain

 

[Martyn]

What if a 700ac fbt comes up for rent in three years time with all your money invested in making improvements then you can't shift, be less efficient, put cash aside and look for the next opportunity.