Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson farms a
325ha (800-acre) mixed
arable and dairy unit near
Kings Lynn, Norfolk. The
200 dairy cows average
6500 litres on a simple, high
forage system. They are
allocated 40ha (100 acres)
of permanent pasture,
44ha (110 acres) of short
term leys and maize grown
in the arable rotation
OUR maize harvest was rather a stop-start affair due to the weather.
But once completed, the result was one of the best yields ever for us. I estimate we averaged 45t/ha (18t/acre) over the 40ha (100 acres) of maize with the best crops exceeding 50t/ha (20t/acre).
The reasons for this record crop are largely an excellent growing season, and also to drilling higher seed rates on 45cm (18in) rows. Having our own drill also allowed us to drill our different land types during optimum conditions.
The net result is maize over-spilling silage bunkers and sprawling out across the concrete yard. It is a great comfort having so much maize and we should be safe no matter what the weather throws at us next year.
Chop length of the maize silage was increased this year from 7mm (0.2in) to 17mm (0.6in), adding extra fibre to the high maize diet. But it was noticeably harder to compact in the clamp. Without green maize and an extra tractor rolling we would have had real problems compacting it.
It is always a great relief once the silage is safely gathered in. I have never forgotten one of my first lessons in dairying at college in Newcastle. A Northumberland dairy farmer summed silage making up in true northern style. "You make silage for one week in the year. You cock that up and you are whistling in the wind for the rest of the year."
After a miserable, cold and wet September we have ended up with normal September weather in October. It has been dry, warm and sunny which has been excellent for extended grazing. One of the advantages of a spring-calving herd is the ability to make good use of plentiful late autumn grass. Last year fresh autumn calvers were inside on full winter rations in early October.
The other advantage of a spring-calving herd is stale cows out at grass take up little labour and management time. This allows us to concentrate on important arable jobs, such as drilling wheat and lifting potatoes. *
Richard Thompson is relieved and thrilled with this years bumper maize crop, partly due to excellent growing conditions.