Current situation
Across the country, grass growth has varied significantly, with some regions facing a lack of rain while others have seen an abundance. This has led to a range of average farm covers and varying levels of supplemental feed. Despite these challenges, body condition remains acceptable overall. However, spring block empty rates are coming in 5-10% higher than expected, likely due to the wet spring and suboptimal silage quality, which has proven less effective for feeding fresh cows at higher levels.
Month coming
As we approach the final round of grazing, it’s crucial to manage your demand to hit target average covers. For some farms, this might mean considering early culling.
Spring calvers may be tempted to milk extra cows or extend milking to capitalize on the higher milk prices, but it’s important to crunch the numbers first.
Are your housed cows meeting the feed requirements? With silage at 12p/kg DM, concentrate at 32p/kg, and a housing cost of £2.50/cow/day, ensure the milk produced covers these costs and yields profit. Do you know your farm’s daily housing costs?
Both spring and autumn herds must keep a close eye on body condition scores, paying particular attention to first-lactation cows.
For autumn herds, remember it’s egg formation time, so avoid any major changes in diet or environment. Additionally, weigh your yearling heifers to ensure they’re on track to hit their mating weight targets—50% of mature liveweight is a minimum, not an average.
Finally, don’t forget to undertake your winter feed budgeting. Is maize the right choice for your feed needs this year? Now’s the time to evaluate.
Reach out to a Pasture to Profit farm consultant for guidance and practical advice on enhancing your farm management. We’re here to support your success.
