Livestock Farmer Focus FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rising costs prompt renewed efficiency focusI’m writing this article on my phone in the lambing shed, waiting for a ewe to deliver her second lamb. I prefer to let ewes lamb naturally with minimal intervention,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Cameras in calving shed well worth the moneyIt has been a good start to calving so far, with just under 70% of the herd having successfully calved within the first month. The recent dry spell of weather… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Calving success measured over staff breakfastCalving’s finished and we’re back to having one group of cows, as to opposed to dry, calving pen, colostrum and milkers. Cow condition is good and they are definitely pumping… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Zero grazing beckons after slurry applicationsWell, I got the pickup back, which is just as well, as I don’t think I could afford to run the V6 courtesy one for any longer. Who’d have thought… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Pig tent moves perfected with telehandlerThe last of the store pigs from our outdoor unit left in the early part of the week with a much higher-than-expected average weight of nearly 50kg. This was pleasing… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Can I hold out for bulkier first-cut silage?Well, haven’t things changed in five weeks? Trump decides to bomb Iran and act like a petulant child when no one wants to join him. Aside from that, it will… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: First-time lamber pen setup helps mothering upThis is probably the worst time to write this article as we are only a few days off due date for the main flock. Those of you that know sheep… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Bull deliveries build learning of beef systemsMarch has been a great month here in north-east Scotland, with much more sunshine and dry weather than we have become accustomed to lately. It has been a much-needed change… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Early lambs will provide welcome summer incomeOur first group of 200 ewes, mostly Aberfield cross Welsh, started lambing early March indoors. A further 600 lamb outdoors throughout April. I prefer outdoor lambing, but I also like… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Calf losses harsh reminder to get basics rightWith 45% of the herd calved since our start date 11 days ago, the holidays are well and truly over. Like any year, this hard launch into the season has… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: All set for lambing and calving outdoorsSpring is on the horizon and the pace is certainly picking up here at Gelston Lamb. The ewes that have been grazing forage rape throughout the winter have now all… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Farming skills feted at long-service awardsSince I last wrote, a great deal has happened. The Stirling Bull Sales, which I unfortunately missed, proved highly successful for both Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorns, reflecting the buoyant… More articles
