Farmer Focus: Lambs on creep feed to maintain ewe condition
Dan Phillips © Richard Swingler First-cut silage is now in the clamp. While all went without a hitch, grass yields were well down. I’m hoping for a bulkier second cut, which we will aim to cut in early July.
Time will tell if the recent prolonged spell of hot weather has negatively affected grass growth. If it has, winter fodder will be in short supply.
The knock-on effects of that will probably be an increase in cereals use to finish the cattle and, in turn, lower profitability.
Our ewes and lambs running permanent pasture are also getting tight for grass. Weaning will have to be as early as possible this year, between 10 and 12 weeks, to maintain the ewes’ condition.
See also: 5 key steps for ewe and lamb management at weaning
Creep feeding the lambs is helping the situation, with lambs growing on well.
However, the ewes are really starting to test the strength and durability of the feeders, and there have been a few lucky escapes with trapped heads. I will be relieved to see the lambs weaned.
Fortunately, we have some decent spring-planted grass seeds to turn them into. This was initially overrun with mayweed but has come back strongly after a tight topping and should help maintain growth rates post-weaning.
The fact the lamb trade has risen by 30p/kg in the past three weeks is also welcome news and will hopefully justify the use of creep feeding to get lambs away quicker.
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We have also been taking the opportunity of a quieter period to get on top of some fencing work that forms part of a Countryside Stewardship grant.
It is one of the last stretches of watercourse to be fenced off on the farm.
To be honest, without the grant funding, it’s highly unlikely we’d have done it, as it is predominantly an arable field. However, it’s a great benefit to have it stock proofed.
That said, the grant system has some major flaws, and I cannot help but think the system is more about headlines than real help.
It’s good press for politicians to be seen to be handing out millions, but in reality, the biggest winners are the companies making and selling the grant-approved equipment.
From cattle crushes to seed drills and fence stakes, the grant-driven demand has inflated prices so much, it’s hard to know whether we farmers are getting genuine value for money.