DairyCo

North Wales

Richard Davies

Delyth Davies

Introducing the Extension Team for the North Wales

Our team are dedicated to providing sound technical knowledge to help manage your dairy business and profit from a sustainable future.

Discussion groups are an important part of what we do. They help our team to understand what farmers need and help to develop tools like the DairyCo energy cost calculator and a basis for comments on dairy facing issues.

What's coming up?

• DairyCo Extension Officer Richard Davies will be facilitating an open day at the BGS 2009 winner.  An invitation from Dylan Jones and family to an open day at Bryn Rhydd, Edern, Pwllheli LL53 8YY.  This will be a fantastic opportunity to see the grassland, the herd and buildings of the 2009 BGS winner.

This meeting will take place on Thursday 17 June 2010, 10.30am, with lunch to follow.

To book your FREE place at this open day please call the DairyCo booking line on 02476 478707 or email Postcard@dairyco.org.uk

• Diwrnod agored enillydd tir glas BGS 2009.  Gwahoddiad gan Dylan Jones a'r teulu i ddiwrnod agored yn Bryn Rhydd, Edern Pwllheli LL53 8YY.  Bydd cyfle i weld y tir glas y fuches a'r adeiladau.

Dydd lau 17 fehefin, 10.30 cinio i ddiyn

What's been happening?

• A heifer rearing meeting was held in Chester facilitated by local Extension Officer, Richard Davies.  Rearing holstein heifers in an all year round calving system is hard work and requires a lot of attention to detail.  Getting colostrum to calves within the first two hours makes a difference with tube and bag the most efficient. High quality feed is required in the early stages, 18% protein with quality ingredents. If you cannot weigh the heifers use the withers height as a guide.
• With the continuous upward pressure on fertiliser and feed prices a number of farmers have been saying that they will be cutting down on fertiliser use this year. I have been doing some calculations with a number of discussion groups recently looking at the economics of fertiliser and feed. With nitrogen at £300+ per tonne, using the modest figure of 10Kg/grass Dm grass per 1 Kg of Nitrogen, this equated to wheat at about £125 per tonne. So, the target is to still use fertiliser as running short of grass or grass silage will lead to expensive feed bills.
• With a late turnout for most farms, the next challenge will be to control the explosion of grass that will inevitably come. Walk the pastures weekly and if possible measure with a plate meter or sward stick. If necessary take fields out of the rotation with a view to make some big bales and to keep a good wedge of grass, the first grazing needs to be down to at least 1500 Kg (4 - 5cm).  If this is not achieved then the next round of grazing will be of poorer quality with less potential milk production.

For more information about events and meetings in your area please go to the events page.