Change worthwhile, but have confidence
Change worthwhile, but have confidence
CHANGING to a grass-based system has required a change in attitude but has allowed herd expansion and led to increased profits on one Devon farm.
Peter Wastenage, FW Farmer Focus contributor, told the conference that a change of attitude was the biggest difference since adopting a grass-based system for his 194 dairy cows at Tidwell Barton Farm, Budleigh Salterton. "Having confidence in the grass and cows is the main thing.
"We used to think that 70% of the reason we managed to achieve turnout in March was a coastal effect, but cows are now out in January.
"We also leave silage in the pit rather than feeling we have to finish it before turnout. Half a day spent re-sheeting it is probably less than it would take to scrape up and feed out in the following weeks had cows still been housed."