Farmer Focus: Parlour investigation into unsettled group continues

Without rubbing salt in the wound for people in a desperate situation due to the drought, these drier summers really do suit us here.

We have had rain when we needed it and plenty of sun, which resulted in the earliest harvest I’ve yet seen. Yields were good, with wheat averaging 10.2t/ha and barley exactly 7.4t/ha.

The weather was in our favour, but harvest wasn’t without episode, including an incident on a roundabout and a tractor fire, although both were sorted out without too much trouble.

See also: Maize growers advised to harvest struggling crops early

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.

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About 35ha (85 acres) of combined ground has now been drilled with rape and stubble turnips for wintering lambs, which will be followed with maize in the spring.

Last year was the first time we planted the sheep feed. There’s very little margin in it, but it does the ground good, so we have decided to do it again.

Another 18ha (45 acres) should be drilled with grass seed by the time you read this, then the next big job will be emptying the sand out of the slurry store.

Cows are performing well, considering this is normally our seasonal low point. They are producing 33kg at 3.95% fat and 3.25% protein, with good conception rates and fresh cow health.

Traditionally, we have had poorer results from cows that calved during the summer, but housing the far dry cows seems to have improved things.

Sometimes, you must admit your strengths and weaknesses, and managing cows at grass is certainly something I’m not great at!

After calving a run of heifers in May, we are now consistently putting 300 cows through the parlour, and this is about the level the current infrastructure will stand without pushing things too hard.

We are struggling with one group being unsettled in the parlour. While flies aren’t helping, there’s more to it than that.

We have altered vacuum levels and the pulsation, which hasn’t had much effect so far, so the investigations continue.

The Maize Maze in now entering its final two weeks. It has been a great success, but quieter than last year.

It’s difficult to say, this being only our second year, but we are considering last year the exception, thanks to Covid, and this year more normal.