FARMERFOCUS
FARMERFOCUS
Sue & Andy Guy
Sue and Andy Guy farm
79ha (196 acres) on an
FBT in Notts. They are
expanding their 76-cow
pedigree high health status
Holstein herd which
averages 6900 litres
WE DONT mind having to get up in the middle of the night to check on calving cows, but were disturbed recently when the intruder alarm was activated in the farm workshop.
With some trepidation we turned on all the lights and burst in to find a dazzled and distressed tawny owl trying to find his way out. Better that than a van full of our hand tools leaving by the back door.
The cows were turned out for the first time on Mar 27 for a couple of hours. Milk production has risen to 24.7 litres/day. We will gradually reduce the mixed ration until they are out full time around the end of April.
The grass is still short, but growing fast in the warm weather. We want to acclimatise cows without a sudden change in their ration as there are about 20 December and January calvers either recently served or due soon and we need to get them safely in calf.
We are considering either a blend of wheat distillers and sugar beet pellets or 18% cake in-parlour to keep the high yielders going through summer. The herd will have to be split into high and low yielders once spring grass growth slows. We plan to operate a leader/follower system to make sure grass is used thoroughly.
We have a lull in our year round calving pattern during March and April. Our Milk Group contract has deductions at this time of year so we do not calve cows for spring milk, but delay calving them until May to take advantage of summer seasonality payments.
Our Bactoscans have been causing some concern lately. Normally below 15, they suddenly rose to 100. There was no obvious explanation. Our teat preparation had not changed and we have a regular routine of tank cleaning so we worked our way through the plant, changing bends and rubberware.
A tedious job, but satisfying because the next two tests came back at seven. We have put dates on the new silicone bends to remind us when we need to change them again. *