Farmer Focus: Early winter feed costing extra £1,000/day
Eurig Jenkins © Richard Stanton With not much rain for August in the forecast, we took the decision earlier in the month thatthe silage harvest campaign on our ground was over for 2026.
The focus has now changed to winter feeding of heifers out on our deferred grazing. This normally happens after third cut, but this year it will be after second cut.
Yet again, I have not spread any fertiliser anywhere and won’t do so until we have some moisture.
See also: Advice as drought pressures dairy forage stocks
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The milking herd is not housed but is on concrete for about 10 hours a day eating 16 bales of top-quality silage.
Last year’s silage was due to last until 20 August; once that has run out, cows will be eating this year’s crop.
They do have access to cubicles and clean water, which is another job we could do without at this time of year.
They then go out to eat a few docks and lie down on a 40-day rotation, which is keeping them contented.
But the change of routine comes at an additional cost of £1,000 a day in extra silage and concentrates.
The in-calf heifers are also being supplemented with three bales a day in an attempt not to house them.
When the rain does hit, I am guessing they will need worming, but it isn’t going to be this month’s job.
On the upside, milk output is similar to last year, and cow condition is good.
Also, their feet so far are holding up well, with very little needing to be done over the summer.
A few nights away at the Royal Welsh meant I caught up with old friends from Harper.
We remembered about the good old days when £2 a pint was the norm, as opposed to £6 now.
Apart from having a good look at different brands of Cambridge rolls with paddle boards and comparing them, not much took my fancy this year.
With the focus turning towards reseeding paddocks, I am just conscious of trying to get the smoothest fields possible.
Maybe a few extra pounds spent can make the difference between being totally satisfied with a reseed or cursing it every time you drive over it.
I don’t relish being thrown about in the tractor cab and feeling like I’m on a theme park roller-coaster.