Currently, the close-up cows are now comfortably housed, with the first group ready to head into the calving shed by September 9th. With 93% of the herd expected to calve within the first six weeks, space in the shed will be tight. To keep things running smoothly, we’ll rotate cows daily to make room.
Meanwhile, the off-farm cows are out grazing but will be brought in when their calving dates approach. Those already housed are being fed a nutritious diet of grass silage and dry cow blend, ensuring they’re well-prepped for calving. Once they’ve calved, they’ll head back out to graze, while receiving essential concentrates in the parlour.
August brought limited rain and low grass growth, which has given the dry cows a chance to stay on top of it. With rain and nitrogen now in play, there’s optimism for another silage cut this September.
While there’s a bit of variation in the condition of the dry cows, it’s nothing that raises concerns or calls for dividing them into subgroups.
Looking ahead, over 10 hectares will be reseeded this autumn, setting the stage for a higher average farm cover as we head into the final round.
Recommendations
- Drafting the cows off the feed pad after meals will help keep them calm and reduce stress while they’re being checked, ensuring a smoother process for everyone.
- Before calving kicks off, weigh the R1 heifers to confirm they’re hitting their weight targets ahead of mating.
- Aim for an average farm cover of 2600kgDM by early October and 2100kgDM by housing time. By grazing 70% of the farm by the end of October and the final 30% by early November, you’ll minimize the risk of high covers carrying through winter if housing happens earlier than expected.
- With a tight calving block, use a combination of calving dates and visual assessments to decide when to bring cows into the calving shed. This way, cows spend less time inside, leaving more space for those that need it.
Please contact Sean Chubb for more information on Walford College Farm.
