It looks like winter is here, so most people will be gearing up winter rations based around good silage quality. As always, it is important to remember that good silage doesn’t compensate for getting the basics right.

1. Make sure feed is fresh every day
2. Ad lib feeding is essential to optimise intake
3. Push feed up regularly, remove refusals
4. Measure usage and intakes – and record the information
5. Target the best facilities to the highest yielders

With weather starting to get a bit cooler and wetter, attention should be turned towards looking after fresh calved dairy cows. Dry matter intake is the key to keeping energy balance positive, and lush wet grass won’t help. Try separating cows calved in the last 45 days and giving some silage and extra concentrates. This will aid both milk yield and fertility, and reduce potential body condition losses.

Don’t forget to fill in your waste exemptions to ensure you pass your farm assurance. Go to Natural Resources Wales website or phone the office for more details.

We are coming closer to implementation of the new support system for agriculture, in Wales and Europe wide. This is going to have huge implications to all farming businesses in Wales, and it is now crucial to start planning ahead. The Welsh government have published a consultation document on the changes that they propose.

http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/environmentandcountryside/proposals-for-direct-payments-to-farmers/?lang=en

The link above should take you to the document, it is something that all farm businesses in Wales should read, digest and respond to.

For more help and information on CAP reform, contact CARA for a detailed review of the implications for your business.

Starting to get some silage analysis back now and results look really good. Only problem will be shortages of quantity. For ad-lib silage intakes with dairy cows budget on 11-12 kg dry matter per day, and remember with good silage they will eat more than usual. Assess stocks – 20 kg’s of silage per cubic foot of clamp, and work out how much there is, budget how much is needed, and be realistic on who really needs the good stuff. Heifers on straw and maize gluten (£180-190/tonne at present) is a really effective system and will save some silage for the millers.

When balancing winter rations, try and take advice from an independent nutritionist – they won’t try to sell you something you don’t need!

Phone us for more advice.

Many thanks to all those who called with us at the Pembrokeshire show. The winner of the prize hamper was Teifi Jenkins – congratulations. We hope you all enjoyed some hospitality and look forward to catching up over the next few weeks and months.

Some of the industry experts are predicting that feed pricing is close to the bottom of the market. They suggest that now may be a good time to book a decent level of forward cover.
It would be prudent to assess forage stocks and analyse quality first. Bear in mind it will be far easier to buy on a falling market than a rising one!!

Every business we are dealing with are experiencing cashflow pressures, suppliers are finding customers are taking longer to pay bills. It is crucial that all parties communicate at an early stage, explain the issues, and give realistic payment timings. Don’t expect suppliers to be comfortable with deferred payment, but offer interest, and part payments if the whole balance cannot be cleared.

Speak to the bank at an early stage to see if they are able to offer assistance. Producing a cashflow projection should help to see where the position improves. We can help in the production of a cashflow and budget, contact us, and let us help release some pressure.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all to visit us at the forthcoming Pembrokeshire show. John, Iwan and Wendy will be available for a chat on all 3 days and would be delighted to meet you. We will have cheese and wine available at lunchtimes, and tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. Look forward to seeing you!

Average first cut yields are down on normal by around 2-3 tonnes per acre. Second cuts may make up some of the shortfall but is unlikely to cover it all. It is essential to budget forward your winter forage requirements, allowing for some spring buffer. Think about alternatives as soon as possible, remember you won’t be the only one who may be short of forage. Bale up any excess grass on the grazing platform, think about buying standing crops of whole crop, or grass, consider putting young stock on straw, price up bulk feeds.

Try and be ahead of the game – it will save you money and stress later on.