Chris Knowles
Chris Knowles
Chris Knowles farms in
partnership with his parents
in the West Penwith
Environmentally Sensitive
Area near St Ives, Cornwall.
The farm consists of 97ha
(240 acres) of grassland and
45ha (110 acres) of rough
moor land, stocked with 160
dairy cows, 80 followers and
50 assorted beef animals
Chris Knowles farms in
partnership with his parents
in the West Penwith
Environmentally Sensitive
Area near St Ives, Cornwall.
The farm consists of 97ha
(240 acres) of grassland and
45ha (110 acres) of rough
moor land, stocked with 160
dairy cows, 80 followers and
50 assorted beef animals
OUR climate never ceases to amaze. Within the space of ten days, the cows went from almost poaching fields, to walking on ground that resembled concrete. There was a small window of about five days to get the ballast collar across the whole farm, to level the legacy of eight months, wet weather.
Early May is usually associated with an abundance of lush green grass. But this year, strong, cold north and east winds meant that at one stage I actually recorded grass going backwards, as the tips of new shoots were singed by the wind.
I am sure my neighbours think I have lost the plot. As they were busy making silage in early May, I was just shutting most of my fields up for a cut of silage in mid-June. Nearly all these fields have been grazed twice this season. I would like to think that we have had two small cuts already, for a fraction of the cost.
The aim this year is to make enough silage for 5t/cow; 3t will be decent milking cow silage and 2t, more fibrous dry cow silage.
The last six weeks have been the most important of the year for spring block calving herds. During this crucial period, things have been on our side. Grass quality has been high because growth has nearly got away from cows this spring and also, for once, there has been an abundance of sunshine.
Submission rates have been extremely high, but experience tells me this is only half the battle. I shall reserve reporting on conception rates until the service period is over.
Just as we thought the foot-and-mouth outbreak was abating and complacency was setting in, we were issued with a Form D notice. A feed lorry came to the farm immediately after having visited what later became an infected farm. The restriction only lasted for one week, but two inspections of all cattle by a ministry vet served as a reminder that this disease isnt over yet. *
A sharp reminder that F&M disease is still around… Chris Knowles was issued with a Form D notice for one week due to a feed lorry.