Murray Garrett
Murray Garrett
Murray Garrett farms 96ha
(240 acres) at Rowden
Farm, near Leighton
Buzzard, Beds. The whole
farm is permanent pasture
on heavy clay land. He runs
100 spring calving South
Devon suckler cows and a
flock of 200 Friesland
milking sheep
EARLY April was unusually kind to us and although cold nights and lack of moisture slowed grass growth, our ample silage stocks have allowed us to buffer feed post turnout.
But torrential rain as I write is rapidly turning gateways and collecting areas into muddy lakes.
Milking sheep have relished the good weather and February lambers have been averaging 1.5 litres on once-a-day milking.
Spring has also seen an unprecedented number of enquiries for breeding cattle. Most of these have come from breeders restocking after last year and are keen to use their compensation money on South Devon females.
But interest has not been confined to females and we have sold more than half our yearling stock bulls. The trend towards self-contained suckler herds breeding their own replacements seems to be growing apace. Linked to this, this season is the first I can recall when all bull buyers have requested EBVs for the young sires on offer. Signets message at last seems to be getting through.
One bull has gone to Orkney, despite DEFRAs best efforts to the contrary. No wonder it no longer includes the word agriculture in its title. DEFRAs attitude makes me question whether the country really is rid of F&M.
If it is, why the continuation of Draconian transport restrictions which prevent multiple pick-ups from all but space-age holdings? Our local vets have yet to pass any farm on their books for multiple pick-ups and rules have made many livestock shows, sales and movements uneconomic. It is a pity DEFRA is less zealous when it comes to policing imports.
Before I come down from my soap box, assurance schemes – a particular bug-bear of mine – deserve a special mention. I was incensed the other day when I received the revised buying specification from our local abattoir. They now require that finishers and breeders sign a declaration that the cattle they supply have never grazed where dogs roam – so it looks like the sheep dog will have to go. *
All Murray Garretts bull buyers have asked for EBVs this year, so the message of their benefits must be getting through, he says.