Efficient farming almost impossible when fighting Super Levy

Many farmers are keeping far too many cows for available quota in preparation for post-quota production. This is costing them dearly in terms of short lactations, low yields, infertility and the maintenance of surplus stock. Efficient farming is almost impossible when fighting against Super Levy. Remember, it is a long time to be carrying surplus stock until early spring 2016. The widespread advice of feeding no meals in May/June is misleading because in situations where milk yields and fertility are suffering meals should be fed.

The farm practices and data being presented to hundreds of dairy farmers who attend farm walks indicate what can be achieved with excellent cows and management.

Many of the farms visited are among the most efficient in the country, but there are also some walks on farms where a lot can be learned from mistakes being made, particularly regarding underfeeding, leading to low yields per cow and high infertility rates.

The good farmers are better prepared for a long indoor feeding period than the average dairy farmer. Having plenty of winter feed, some of which can be carried over if not needed, was the basis of good farming up until the 90s. Unfortunately, a few short winters and bad advice convinced a lot of farmers to provide only the minimum of winter feed, which cost them dearly in 2009, 2010 and in April/early May this year. Many of the best farmers harvest a good crop of silage at the end of May, including this year.

As usual the main focus of the spring/early summer walks are on herd health, fertility and grassland management, three of the main management factors influencing dairy farm profitability.

Farm walks are being held in every locality and every dairy farmer should try to attend. Differences in management and performances, due to land type, often show up. Farmers should take note of the data presented at the farm walks.

Targets are set for all the important management factors affecting profitability. There is room for improvement on every farm and every business. In fact it is usually the better performers that continue to make the biggest improvements.