Farmer Focus: Time to reflect on the breeding season

Autumn is fast approaching. Soon it will be time to reflect on the efforts of the breeding season and begin to focus on the next one.

We still have the majority of our lambs left here. Growth has been considerably behind last year, especially on the grass-reared lambs, and  have been hearing similar things from many other grass-based farmers in the region, as well as the processor.

There has been plenty of grass, but the energy, protein and mineral content just hasn’t been there to put enough finish on.

Entire ram lambs have been doing much better on the crop, although they are still leaner than last year’s.

I will make a few alterations to group sizes and rotations next year and probably bolus all lambs at eight weeks. I also plan to shear more of the lighter lambs post-weaning – an approach that has considerably improved the smaller lambs.

See also: I’ll lamb everything in one block next year

Calf sheds have all been washed and disinfected and we have a fresh batch on the milk machine.

I have started contract shepherding on a recently purchased 650-ewe flock locally, as well as running my own sheep, cattle and contracting enterprises.

It is great to get off my own farm on a regular basis and have some more work for the dogs, as well as giving me a fresh challenge and a much-needed boost of enthusiasm.

Over the past few weeks we have been busy tidying up the farm, getting ready to host an NFU farm walk with our local group and MP.

Things always seem to run better when the place is tidy. You can find things more easily when they are neatly stored away on shelves – rather than spending hours searching for them.

I’m looking forward to discussing life as a young tenant farmer and hearing what other members and a politician think the future has in store for people like me.

Let’s hope its good news.

Jim Beary contract rears 900 calves a year and has a growing flock of Aberfield-cross New Zealand Romneys on a county council farm. He also runs a contract gritting enterprise in winter.