Some mowers are out dropping grass for second cut. A grass test will be useful to check that the nitrate levels are low enough. If in doubt go for an acid additive to guarantee fermentation. Yields are looking good, so maybe this winter could be better than last.

We are currently looking to employ a full time business recorder. The role involves visiting farms to collect data and produce management accounts. We use the Farm plan software, and provide full training as necessary.
If you are interested please send a CV and covering letter to

office@carawales.co.UK

Now most silages are clamped, attention should turn to the aftermaths. If you wish to graze, aim for 50 units of nitrogen and 30 units of potash. 3,000 gallon per acre of slurry will more than meet the potash requirements, so if applied opt for straight nitrogen to reduce staggers risk.

If the fields are to be utilised for second cut, aim for 75 units of nitrogen and 45 units of potash. If you can avoid grazing these fields, regrowth will be quicker and cleaner. Allowing these fields to be shut off, will help see clamps fill again after last years shortage.

Our annual benchmarking of dairy farms continually shows yield from forage to be a key profit driver. Now that grass quality and growth is at its peak, make full use of it. If cows are are grass full time, with an ME of just over 12, 20 litres of milk is easily possible. Challenge cows who are in calf and condition score 3+, these will produce some cheap milk. Assess the grass, an don’t be afraid to reduce the parlour cake a bit. If you don’t do it now, the chance will be lost.

Silage is now well under way, with many already done. It is perhaps useful to remind yourselves of some of the important points to give better results

1. Additive doesn’t make bad silage good
2. Don’t mow too early in the morning or late at night
3. Always ted out the grass
4. Consolidate quickly in clamp
5. Get the sheet on quickly, with some weight on top

It is worth trying to get these points right – you will be feeding the silage for 5-6 months!

Farming Connect can still fund 80% of advice to farm businesses in Wales. This advice can be used for all aspects of advice from nutrition to fertiliser advice through to business plans and cash flows. Contact Nerys in the office for more details.

We produce benchmark data for all categories of farm, and customers find it to be one of the most useful pieces of data produced. The results of benchmarking allow farm businesses to identify areas of weakness and opportunity.

If you are interested in becoming part of the benchmark, contact us. All data is collected by our own farm recorders, using Farmplan software. An annual report is given, with the benchmark data and advice on areas to examine. The cost of this service depends on enterprise size, but offers fantastic value for money, and a proper business MOT.

As many clients are saying, this is the most difficult spring in living memory – low grass growth, low temperature and low forage stocks. Cashflow is under pressure, and many are struggling.

There is no easy answers, but try and take some easy practical steps to aid the pressure:

Cull any unproductive animals – reduce the grazing pressure
Bring some youngsters in and feed straw and concentrates
Use the electric fence to ration grass
Back fence where possible to prevent back grazing
Take silage off sooner rather than later – bring some silage land back to grazing rotation
Speak to your bank earlier and present a plan clearly showing requirements and plan of repayment

Each situation is different, but doing nothing will not help!

Whole Farm Plan – provides one to one subsidised support to help you develop/ run you farm business more efficiently.

This is open to all businesses registered with Farming Connect and all eligible businesses can apply for up to 80% fundi

ng towards a whole farm plan.

This consultancy can be used for whole farm planning, budgets & cashflows, technical advice, succession planning etc, and can be tailored to your indvidual needs.

If you are interested in recieving advice through Farming Connect, please call the Cara office on 01570 471516.

For reliable fertiliser planning it is essential that the nutrient content, rate and time of application of manures are known. The nutrient content of animal excreta is greatly influenced by factors such as diet and water dilution. Slurry nutrient content may vary from one year to the next on the same holding. CARA recommends that the nutrient content of a representative sample be determined by analysis at least once per annum. Interim assessments of slurry can be made by using a slurry hydrometer. CARA are able to provide a lab analysis service, interim assessment via hydrometer and give a report on crop nutrient planning based on results.

CARA slurry/manure analysis = £42 + VAT. Analysis gives levels of Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash, Magnesium and dry matter. This would allow you to carry out a manure management plan and accurately plan fertiliser requirements. This in turn would:

·improve crop nutrient management

·result in potential savings on fertiliser inputs

·meet farm assurance criteria

·gain environmental agency approval

·benefit the environment