CARA recently presented its annual benchmark results to other industry professionals at a conference in St Clears. The results show clear distinctions between top 25%, average and bottom 25%. The main points are as follows:

1. Dairy – fertility and yield from forage still are profit drivers
2. Overhead cost control imperative
3. Herd expansion still happening, perhaps at increased pace
4. Beef and sheep producers must focus on stocking rate
5. There is intensification potential in all sectors
6. Potential Single Payment changes will see some producers become loss making
7. Uncertainty is still around regarding Single Payment proposed changes

For more details, please contact Iwan, Wendy or John

Be cautious of phone calls around Single payment time, claiming there is a problem with bank details and asking you to reconfirm them. There were a few cases last year, where SFP was diverted and stolen. If you do get a phone call, hang up and phone your divisional office to confirm if there is a problem. NEVER GIVE BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS OVER THE PHONE.

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.

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!!

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.

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!

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