Over quota – more questions to be tackled
Over quota – more questions to be tackled
As the end of the quota year
approaches there are still
more questions than
answers over milk
production at Washfold.
Simon Wragg reports
PHILIP Metcalfe is browsing down the latest production figures. "Physically the herd is doing well, but not financially," he remarks. With less than a fortnight of the current milk quota year remaining, the only certainty is that more cover will have to be bought in.
"Well need in the order of 30-40,000 litres of clean quota. At least the price has come back to 29p/litre for the 3.7% butterfats we need." The 350-cow herd is still averaging 32 litres/cow a day, cumulatively putting the Metcalfes three to four days over quota.
"We could have pulled up some of the cows, but I think we were concerned that it may have affected production when the new milk year starts on Apr 1. That said, we still dont know what Express will be paying us when it takes over our existing contract with Glanbia," says Philip.
The decision to buy used quota at the end of last year at 23p/litre now appears expensive, although more was added earlier this year at 17p. "Hindsight is a great thing. But I cant see any other way of doing things. The question is do we buy more now or hold out in the hope that the price falls?"
He is concerned that further milk price cuts could undermine quotas value as an asset – the farm holds 2.6m litres. The extra 700,000 litres needed to cover production will continue to be leased in throughout the year when the market "looks right".
On the day-to-day management, there is concern over getting some milking heifers back in calf. The calving interval for the herd has slipped from 367 days to 392 days, but the Metcalfes accept that this reflects the milking potential of high genetic heifers. "Getting a calf a year is an out-dated notion," remarks Philip.
Rations may be changed this year. Lucerne in high yielders feed may be replaced by cheaper whole-crop wheat after a successful trial last autumn. Up to 20ha (50 acres) will be grown and cut in August using a new Claas whole-crop mill fitted to one of the self-propelled foragers, suggests Philip. Feeding rates are likely to be 4kg/head a day.
It will not affect the area of maize grown. Having won the national final of this years Maize Growers Association competition, the crops future as a key ingredient in winter diets is assured. "We asked one of the judges, Gordon Newman, twelve years ago if we could grow maize up here and he advised we stick to whole-crop. It just shows how far varieties and management have come," adds Philips brother, David.
He has been overseeing the delivery of wheat to a local feed mill. "It has been sold for £73/t delivered to a firm in Masham, about eight miles away. They will take the best part of 400t eventually."
Davids other concern has been to get the first dressing of fertiliser on to the 300ha (750 acres) of grazing and silage ground. "It has all had 100kg/acre of Kemira heavy land. That will see the summer grazing for the sheep right, but the cutting area will get a second dressing of 26.0.15 and dairy pasture some 34.5% nitrogen in early April."
Some of the contracting machinery is being moved out of the workshop to make room for the lambing pens. Fortunately, the last of the 1999 crop of 1600 lambs have been sold at a welcome 231p/kg deadweight, 33p/kg more than this time last year. After deductions that left about £38 a lamb, a rise of £5 on 12 months ago. "Its a pity we havent seen that much on all the lambs," says Brian Metcalfe.
At least there is now a clear run for the 900-ewe Mule flock to begin lambing on Mar 25. While those with twins and triplets have been inside for some time, the singles have been gathered off the rough grazing and brought down to Washfold. All are receiving a mix of wheat, sugar beet pulp, molasses, fishmeal and minerals to supplement the silage.
"Weve also got the ministry coming in this week to check paperwork and do a head count for ewe premium claim. It should be straight-forward; Im not expecting any surprises. With the ewes in, theres just the mule hoggs to gather from the hill," adds Brian.
There is barely a moments rest. Staff have also been busy extending the straights shed; most of the steelwork has been erected and two self-employed men are coming in to clad the frame this week. "Were getting through it all," says David. *
FARMFACTS
• Metcalfe Farms, near Leyburn, North Yorks; 632ha (1560 acres) over four farms run in partnership by parents and three sons.
• Land mainly medium loam over limestone. Farming from 400-1000ft.
• About 263ha (650 acres) of land rented from MoD for 900-ewe Mule flock.
• Recently expanded dairy herd. Now 350 cows averaging 9500 litres.
• Arable area of 223ha (550 acres) wheat, maize and set-aside.
• Contracting business covering 4050ha (10,000 acres) of grass, maize and whole-crop cereals.