Farmer Focus: Better feed conversion with 10,000 fewer birds
© Richard Swingler We are in the middle of mowing and raking, ready to start first cut silage.
Grass yields are certainly down on last year, owing to a severe lack of rain in these parts. However, I still think it is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying times of year.
We are a week or two earlier than normal but, having missed all the rain a few weeks ago, we have decided to focus on quality and hope that a good second and third cut will fill the clamp.
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We are on fairly heavy clay/silt land here, which can often make life hard work.
However, the dry conditions we are experiencing this spring are a blessing, as arable crops are coping well so far, with only some very small patches burning off.
I am also really pleased with blackgrass control this year.
Having resorted to the plough instead of the Mzuri last autumn, and having applied pre-emergence herbicide, blackgrass populations are almost non-existent.
The trusty knapsack will soon be out to spot spray any plants poking through, but it feels (for once) we may be winning the battle.
Elsewhere on the farm, we have completed our first cycle of broilers at the lower stocking density of 30kg/sq m, compared with the previous 38kg/sq m.
In real terms, this meant about 10,000 fewer birds in a shed.
The difference has been resoundingly positive. Our KPI’s have all improved, with welfare indicators like mortality, foot-pad dermatitis, hock burn and rejects all lower.
Performance indicators such as feed conversion ratio and growth are also improved.
Another positive with the lower stocking density is the lightening of the workload.
Less mortality and culling, fewer bales of shavings to spread around and more space to move in the sheds has made the job a lot more enjoyable – for me and for the chickens.
Of course, all these positives for growers will inevitably mean price increases for the buyer.
However, with beef prices at a record high – and lamb prices not too far behind – the supermarkets may well be able to sneak up the price of chicken without too much of a knock-on effect on sales. Let’s hope so, anyway.