Livestock Farmer Focus FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dock spraying delayed by late first cutIn the past couple of weeks we’ve finally started to see the sunshine and enjoy some heat. We’ve certainly had to be patient this year, but thankfully all spring crops… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Finding cost-effective maize ground isn't easyIt’s been a busy few weeks at Newlands. We had our annual TB test, which I’m pleased to say was clear. It’s always a huge relief when the last animal… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Constructive chat from environment inspection“Mr de Feyter, this is so-and-so from the Environment Agency. Your holding has been selected for a random inspection; we would like to arrange a date to come and see… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Lambing losses hit hard after thorough prepI have been really knocked backwards by lambing. I had thought all the planning was in place and was really looking forward to it. The silage was the best ever,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Lameness lessons to learn before next lambingThe March lambing group lambed well, with ewes in good condition, good strong lambs and plenty of milk. The downside: having to pull more lambs than usual with heads and… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: 10 years on, we’re a proper family farmIt has been busy here, but definitely a good busy, rather than a bad busy. We are eight days post due date for our spring-calving suckler cows. So far 40%… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Calving reveals outcome of breeding decisionsCalving and lambing have, on the whole, been going well. We have had a relatively mild winter and we have good grass growth for this time of year. The ewes… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Time-saving milk cart eases bulging calf shedsSix weeks since the start of calving, and it’s definitely been a whirlwind as we hit 70% calved within four weeks. Like everything in life, though, the good times don’t… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Pig price has hit us harder than fuel crisisIt has been a busy few weeks since my last piece – and the contrast between ground conditions from then to now is staggering. I was rather frustrated that we… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Losses frustrating in kind spring for lambingWe are nearly at the end of lambing, with only a few stragglers left. Overall, the weather has been kind, which has certainly helped. That said, the season hasn’t been… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Tight lambing block efficient but exhaustingWe are in the midst of the busiest and hardest time of year on the farm. While drilling and combining can mean long hours, it is the physicality of lambing… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dairy herd progress shaped by US study tripsSpring doesn’t seem to know if it’s coming or going. We’ve had some glorious days, but never two together. We’ve been spreading muck and ploughing ready for the maize, which… More articles
