Farmer Focus: Relieved to check dry matter of maize crop
Tom Hildreth © Tim Scrivener We housed the cows full time at the end of the third week of October as the gateways got wetter and wetter.
Heavy land dictates the length of the grazing season here, and the gateways even more so, despite the upturned railway sleepers 10 yards into the field to spread the footfall.
See also: How maize shredlage aids digestion in dairy rations
About the author
In the summer, I had a 1970s non-backfilled, clay pot, main drain replaced across the back of the farm buildings. From that, we connected a few lateral drains to take water from some gateways and grazing paddocks.
That little project probably gained me a few days’ grazing, and in future years I can gain a few more days by pulling the flat lift through paddocks at the end of summer to promote drainage.
I was concerned about the quantity of maize silage in the clamps.
After testing a sample in the farm’s air fryer (120C for 30min – weigh at start and finish) I found that it was 43% dry matter (DM) – much drier than the usual 32-34%.
The maize is feeding well and, because it is drier than last year’s crop, I’m working my way through the clamp a lot slower.
The grass has tested 33.6% DM and 13.4% protein, but I think the metabolisable energy of 10.8 is stopping the girls surpassing 36.5 litres.
We vaccinated this year’s calves against pneumonia on recommendation from our vet after last year’s seemingly never-ending battle of temperature-taking and treating.
I will keep you posted on whether it works for us or not.
As I have been weighing the heifers for serving this autumn, I have noticed they are around 40kg lighter than they should have been for their age and therefore are over one month later for service.
It may be pneumonia that knocked them at six months old and the lung damage has hindered their growth.
As we calve them down next winter, I will be able to see how the milk yield compares with the previous batches of heifers.
I am often reminded that there is a whole world outside the farm gates.
Last week, I let my better half whisk me away on a city break to Barcelona for a few days, which I can highly recommend for good wine and excellent food.