The Cheltenham festival each year heralds a break in breeding programmes for winter milk production systems and a resumption to spring breeding programmes which extend from early April through mid-May. Breeding cows in mid-March is not a recipe for household social harmony as cows calve over the Christmas period. However, there are many farmers willing […]
Read MoreStop breeding cows from March 10th to avoid calving over the Christmas period. Late calvers have to receive your top listing for management. Silage pit face management has to focus on preventing moulds and the associated risk of mycotoxins. Prebreed scanning of cows has shown that your less fertile cows can be identified. These cows […]
Read MorePoor quality silages are resulting in many reports of retained afterbirths and sick cows in spring calvers. Address this issue as soon as possible with your dry cows by having silage analysis addressed by supplementation, with both energy and protein plus minerals. Suckler cows managed for autumn calving need to be scanned now. You will be […]
Read MoreThe spring calving season will begin in the majority of dairy farms over the next fortnight. Many farmers look forward to starting the milking machine again, although the workload associated with calving cows and correct calf management will result in long hours on a daily basis for the next ten weeks. It is essential […]
Read MoreSet up calving pens for Spring calving using the ‘maternity ward’ hygiene philosophy. Focus on prevention of Johnes’ disease transmission. Ensure a top quality dry cow mineral is fed to your cows. Get the best advice and manufacturer with the best reputation. In our opinion, Devenish Nutrition fulfil these roles with a track record […]
Read MoreTHE impact of milk price reductions, the scale of same and the period required for an upturn are the primary concerns among farmers visited in the past month. The impact of milk price reductions will hit hardest in Northern Ireland where the costs of production are significantly greater when compared with grass-based milk production systems. […]
Read MorePlan a breeding programme now for autumn calving dairy and beef cows. Scanning cows is not just about pregnancy scanning. Scanning the reproductive tract of your cows will provide you with a targeted approach to getting your cows in calf. Do not work in the dark. There are cows in your herd which are not […]
Read MoreA MILD AUTUMN has orchestrated increased milk production from grazed grass for both spring and freshly calved autumn cows. Many farmers are faced with the dilemma of a superlevy and milk price to decrease in the months ahead. Therefore, they have continued to produce high solids milk from late lactations from grazed grass at the […]
Read MoreExtended grazing because of a mild Autumn has resulted in cows losing excessive body condition. Cows need to gain weight in the second trimester of pregnancy. Dry off cows now if: a) You are running a risk of superlevy fill b) Cows are in poor body condition. Scan cows now which have not been previously […]
Read MoreWe are currently experiencing the best grazing conditions in living memory for grass-based milk production. This has tempted farmers to extend lactations and produce high value milk with elevated solids in late lactation. However, this has created a superlevy situation for all Co-Ops in the country. This scenario has created significant body condition score loss […]
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