Livestock Farmer Focus FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Let’s keep the anti-meat agenda honestNot all heroes wear capes, or in this case, not all heroines. Bear with me because this is convoluted. I like to read The Guardian newspaper for its good coverage… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Hoping New Zealand genetics do the businessThere was a sudden scramble to get up to speed. The list of weather-delayed tasks was immense: slurry tanks were full and sheds needed cleaning out as the stock were… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Gilts to trial condition-scoring camera techI hope everyone is well and has seen at least some improvement to weather conditions. It’s better here now, albeit still not as warm as we would like it to… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Behind with spreading work and short of strawI’m struggling for inspiration this month, and I’m not allowed to use expletives here, so all I’ll say is it’s rained – a lot. Here was me thinking when I… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Mind whirring with five days of silage leftI’ve got the mower on and greased up ready for tomorrow, 16 April. Although, as I write this looking out of the window, I could do with a few more… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Applicants for skilled pig staff hard to findTwo years ago, I wrote about the disappointing start we had experienced farrowing the first of our then, new, Landrace gilts. These pigs are the dams of our home-bred commercial… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Outdoor calving of heifers hinges on weatherThe arrival of two sets of twin calves early on the morning of 7 April signalled the start of calving for 2024. Their smooth delivery brought a little optimism for… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Teaser rams gave us busy lambing fortnight Another lambing season is behind us. I must admit, it hasn’t been the best one we’ve ever had. We started off this year with a better-than-usual scanning percentage of 160%.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Tough lambing with Schmallenberg and rainLast month, I wrote about maintaining enthusiasm for farming. But goodness me, the past month has been a test. I have been criticised for being negative and praised for straight-talking.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Measures in place to graze in tricky weatherAs we enter the second week of April, we have grazed approximately 40% of the total grazing platform area, well behind target for the first round by this time. Our… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Eye on next door’s 'greenwashing' schemeLife is full of challenges – good, bad and indifferent. Landing in Newcastle after our trip to Australia, I could see acres of sodden fields, with stressed crops and large… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Turnout headaches after wet weatherWe’ve had our busiest month ever with direct sales. We think some customers are coming to us because many local butchers are selling less lamb, as there’s just not enough… More articles
