Farmer Focus: Herd fertility takes hit in summer heat

I am reluctant to say how well harvest has gone for fear of upsetting those who have struggled. But there have been plenty of bad weather years farming in Cumbria, and the recent dry trend does seem to largely suit our part of the world.

See also: Farmer Focus: Watching crops melt away was heartbreaking

About the author

Tom Stable

Tom Stable and family, Ulverston, Cumbria, milk 350 Holsteins three times a day, producing milk for Arla and ice cream for their Cumbrian Cow brand. The 300ha operation, of which two thirds is rented, grows grass, maize and winter wheat and cows average 11,800 litres.

Read more articles by Tom Stable

The wheat has averaged just short of 10.5t/ha, and straw, which is even more sought after up here, was plentiful. We drilled half our cover crops before deciding the ground was too hard and dry, so we waited for the rain before finishing them off.

Many farmers are harvesting maize earlier than ever, but we planted nearly a month later than we usually do. I think our harvest will be similar to normal, in the first or second week of September.

Crops look good, with the deep roots the plants put down while under the plastic putting them in a good position when it became dry.

The next section of slurry store is coming along, but a large seam of rock has slowed the digging process. We were not expecting to still be digging come winter, so we are looking at ways of creating somewhere dry to work to allow progress to continue.

We are considering putting up the end of the shed where the new parlour will be, to allow the other trades to come in.

Then we can allow the builders to return to the tank, and put up the section of building containing the collecting yard and access alleys last.

The cows are milking well, averaging just over 42 litres on this year’s second cut, which was far from exciting. But at 4.1% fat and 3.35% protein, they’re producing plenty of solids, which is crucial on the Arla contract.

The biggest effect of the heat has been on fertility, with both insemination and conception rates taking a hit, although it will be a couple of months before we see the full effect.

The retirement announcement from my parents has increased visitor numbers even further, with people keen for a final visit. This has caught them off guard and they are working feverishly trying to make enough ice cream to not disappoint anyone.

I see now why boxers like Tyson Fury keep saying this will be their final fight – it really helps sell the product.