Farmer Focus: Hosepipe and fan rigged up to cool cows
Rob Goodwin © Nathan Stirk We finished drilling maize on 23 May, followed almost immediately by an inch of rain. The crop emerged within four days and has established really well.
Second-cut silage was delayed slightly, but is now in the clamp. Yields look good; we’ll wait to see about the quality.
See also:Â Heat-stress strategies for grazing cows tested in NZ herds
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In June, we hosted our local Young Farmers Club and two vintage tractor clubs for meetings, before holding our 10th Open Farm Sunday.
The first year we opened, we had 250 visitors and thought it was a big success.
This year, we welcomed more than 3,000 visitors and raised almost £2,000 for charity.
Events like these are important to us, giving the public the opportunity to see modern farming first hand, rather than relying on what they see online.
One year, a reporter from the local newspaper turned up and told me just how much she had enjoyed petting the goats… but we only have cows!
The recent hot weather has taken its toll on the milking herd, with yields dropping from 45 litres to 41 litres.
We have put together a simple misting system in front of the robots, using water from a hosepipe blown into the shed by the fans.
It has made a noticeable difference in helping the cows cope with the heat. And, as I write, we are entering yet another heatwave.
After many years with us, our consultant is retiring next month. Paul has always been willing to cast an eye over our latest ideas and has often been the reassuring voice our bank manager needed to hear.
We’ll certainly miss his support, but his retirement has given us the opportunity to review exactly what we need to continue making progress.
After speaking with several people, we’ve decided to appoint a new nutritionist.
Although the cows are milking well, we’ve recently struggled with butterfat levels, so we’re looking forward to working together to identify the cause and help the herd reach its full potential.
Away from the farm, two of our three girls have been busy playing cricket. Both captained their respective teams today, and both came away with wins.
Our eldest qualified for the Young Farmers’ Club stock-judging final at the Great Yorkshire Show in mid-July, so, at time of writing, we’re looking forward to making our first trip there.