Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us all on the farm. Christmas is still a fairly busy time, there is always something that needs to be done on the farm. We moved our weaned replacement calves up to one of our run offs (nearby support blocks for non- milking stock) we chose a cooler day with lower temperatures and we walked them up there. It generally takes an hour or two depending on how bouncy they are and we also go at a time when we know there will be minimal traffic on the road. We always take our time and dont rush them so they are relaxed and not stressed and its always important to look after their hooves so they dont get a stone bruise.
This also frees up their grazing paddocks they were on at the home farm to be locked up for Hay, which will be fed out in the colder months. The Summer so far has been quite warm and dry and we were fortunate to get some good rainfall in the last week which helps keep the grass steadily growing. There is always a fine balance with getting enough rain in summer and preferably not too much in Winter or more spaced out so it gives the ground a chance to let it soak in.
We have a lower stocking rate so the grass gets a chance to replenish well between grazing the paddocks and our cows arent stressed trying to get enough food. This also means we can give the cows additional grazing paddocks when the grass slows down and we dont need to do summer crops to have enough to feed them as we have the grass. We always have a back up of extra silage and bayelage for the really dry summers. Which luckily are rare where we farm in Norsewood with an annual rain fall of around 1500mm but a good farmer is always prepared for weather extremes.
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