Signpost: Breeding for high-value milk rather than just volume

Tim Leader working among his heard of pure breed friesian cattle on his dairy farm at Glenleigh Upper, Kilcourney Rathcool, Co Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

Cows are milking well right now, doing 28 litres and feeding 4kg meals. I expect to finish the 1st round on the 10th of April. Graze outs are great right now. 

Although I am grazing heavy covers so ground conditions would need to stay favourable for me to continue to graze out well. Growth is poor right now. I have a demand of 43 kg and a growth of 15kg. If growth doesn’t pick up I could be in trouble. To avoid running into problems in the 2nd round I am making sure fertiliser is out.