Why consider precision mob cell grazing.

[arrow]

Grazing management in the UK and some parts of New Zealand and South Africa are as different as chalk and cheese. Beef farmers in South Africa and New Zealand say grass and grazing management is their principal concern because if they do it well they can carry more cattle and produce more beef. The same goes for sheep farmers.
More effort is already being made to raise grass management standards in the Republic of Ireland where breeders and finishers are being encouraged to drop set stocking and adopt precision grazing instead - but the United Kingdom lags behind.

 

[lazy farmer]

and?

 

[neilo]

and?

Looking at the website linked on another thread, it appears the OP is trying to promote a consultancy service?

FYI @arrow , the grazing management you mention was the main topic of @Global ovine 's roadshow recently, and is also being heavily promoted by Farming Connect in Wales and I believe by EBLEX in England. Don't know if there's any room left on the gravy train.

 

[arrow]

Looking at the website linked on another thread, it appears the OP is trying to promote a consultancy service?

FYI @arrow , the grazing management you mention was the main topic of @Global ovine 's roadshow recently, and is also being heavily promoted by Farming Connect in Wales and I believe by EBLEX in England. Don't know if there's any room left on the gravy train.

 

[arrow]

I totally agree that those road shows are "gravy trains" and that is why I never attended. My passion for grassland farming goes back more than 40 years where I had a Brahman herd in bushvelt country and droughts ran for 5 and 6 years and only the successful grassland farmers came through irrespective of the quality of the stock. Most of what I have learned is available on the website FREE. I know that those who choose to become successful grassland farmers will do a lot better and I am willing to help anyone get started.

 

[llamedos]

I totally agree that those road shows are "gravy trains" and that is why I never attended. My passion for grassland farming goes back more than 40 years where I had a Brahman herd in bushvelt country and droughts ran for 5 and 6 years and only the successful grassland farmers came through irrespective of the quality of the stock. Most of what I have learned is available on the website FREE. I know that those who choose to become successful grassland farmers will do a lot better and I am willing to help anyone get started.

Whilst you may consider them a Gravy Train, they are paid for by levy and of sound benefit to most, without having to pay for further consultancy.

 

[arrow]

Whilst you may consider them a Gravy Train, they are paid for by levy and of sound benefit to most, without having to pay for further consultancy.

I think we are talking about different gravy trains?

 

[arrow]

Sorry mate, I think this is a non-discussion. Your poll gives two options and assume the average punter doesn't have a clue - both are loaded answers to allow you to promote. Bit weird really as it seems a bit too over commercial and that turns me off straight away.

Discuss, create relationships, question and sell .... That's a better way to do things.

 

[arrow]

Sorry mate, I think this is a non-discussion. Your poll gives two options and assume the average punter doesn't have a clue - both are loaded answers to allow you to promote. Bit weird really as it seems a bit too over commercial and that turns me off straight away.

Discuss, create relationships, question and sell .... That's a better way to do things.

 

[arrow]

I think to discuss ways of becoming a successful sustainable grassland farmers is a very necessary urgent discussion and may cause a bit of head banging and seem controversial. It is going to be very commercial when the CAP goes because how many farmers rely on CAP to remain solvent. Don't you think we need to face up to reality.

 

[Sandpit Farm]

Right, I deleted my posts. Who am I to suggest you are being to commercial. Be as commercial as you want.

It just winds me up, that's all.

 

[Jock]

More effort is already being made to raise grass management standards in the Republic of Ireland where breeders and finishers are being encouraged to drop set stocking and adopt precision grazing instead - but the United Kingdom lags behind.

Great. That means the Republic of Ireland will produce even more beef from their given area with which to flood our market and keep both theirs and our prices at rock bottom.

QMS big into this up here at the moment too and can see the thinking to it but does conjure up images of hamsters on wheels for me. Become ever more efficient to produce more and more beef and lamb leading to a lower end price due to supply and demand meaning you have to be yet more efficient to compete at new lower margins.

Does create employment in the form of knowledge transfer specialists though

 

[arrow]

Maybe our approach should be focused at getting back to low input highly productive grassland farming where the animals live off grass 12 months of the year. Not only will we become more profitable, reduce bought in feed, but grow healthier animals and sustainable grasslands. I think it is worth a look?

 

[caveman]

He thinks we are all country bumkins.

 

[Sandpit Farm]

In the last few sheep posts:

My lamb scours - "have you considered precision mob cell grazing"

My dog won't work - "have you considered precision mob cell grazing"

I have a new flock - "have you considered precision mob cell grazing"

Poll - "have you considered precision mob cell grazing"

Please please tell us about precision mob cell grazing. I have a feeling you want to...

 

[arrow]

He thinks we are all country bumkins.

Hi Caveman, I really don't mean to be antagonist, but I am a realist and very concerned. I know from working in the field that if the CAP payment was removed tomorrow many farmers would be in very serious financial difficulties and maybe it is time to drop the arrogance and start working together for the good of our fellow grassland farmers. There are grassland farmers out there who are very successful and profitable having never know of, or received a CAP type subsidy, which the poor tax payer funds anyway.

 

[Baling Hay]

Maybe our approach should be focused at getting back to low input highly productive grassland farming where the animals live off grass 12 months of the year. Not only will we become more profitable, reduce bought in feed, but grow healthier animals and sustainable grasslands. I think it is worth a look?

I am interested to know how precision mob cell grazing differs from rotational grazing?

 

[Sandpit Farm]

Arrow - I'm also keen to know what the average margin per acre is in the UK now compared to how it would be with this "precision mob cell grazing". CAP payments excluded. Do you have the figures?

What is the cost of production per kg of lamb in the UK?

 

[arrow]

I am interested to know how precision mob cell grazing differs from rotational grazing?

Hi Steakeater, thanks for your question. It is all to do with TIMING. Where in the "s" curve is the grass growth, in spring it may take 24 days from exit to reach entry and the required kgDM/ha, and in Winter 125 days and one must have these figures at your finger tips. They must be presented with a full bite with every mouthful because they are like union workers and work so many hours per day grazing. For example, a 500kg animal requires 13.5 kgDM/day and will only get this if there is a full mouthful with each bite. As the grass gets shorter the intake will decrease down to 4.5kgDM/per day, although the animal is going hungry they will still only graze the same number of hours. If the grass is presented when too long, they slow up and the intake also drops dramatically, like a choked up mower. There is a lot more but I think I have taken up enough space.

 

[arrow]

Arrow - I'm also keen to know what the average margin per acre is in the UK now compared to how it would be with this "precision mob cell grazing". CAP payments excluded. Do you have the figures?

What is the cost of production per kg of lamb in the UK?

Hi Sandpit farm, grassland on farms can vary considerable and my approach would be to, firstly look inwards and not at the average UK figures, which I am sure are frightening. Start by recording the kgDM/ha per year on the farm and daily rate of recovery, even down to individual fields. Once that figure has been established and it will vary from year to year. But as the soil biology and the sward improves with PMCG the variations will become less. We have found for example that with PMCG that due to the vast improvement in the fungi, bacteria, protozoa etc. grass productivity starts to improve dramatically and the water requirement greatly reduced, just to mention a few points.