Christy McCarthy and family milk 55 cows (35 pedigree Holsteins and 25 pedigree Jerseys) on 60-acres in Balineen, Co. Cork.
Performance: Fat: 3.98; Protein: 3.44; Lactose: 4.76; SCC: 111; TBC:10
It’s dry and cool in west Cork this week – a big difference to last week when it was pouring out of the heavens, but what a difference the rain made to grass growth.
As you can see, protein has taken a bit of a nosedive so I am putting this down to a heavy cover in one of the grazing paddocks; I will take out this field because quality and yield rule.
The breeding season is going well, with numerous cows served and a number of heifers remaining.
If they are not served by the end of the week, I will enlist the help of a vet because they have grown well and have met their target weights.
This week was a first for us, cutting silage bales in May. We took out three paddocks, about 10-acres for bales, so we are hoping for in the region of 70 bales.
This a great weight off us now – it’s like having insurance as I know I have feed now and won’t have to buy in anything if we get an odd summer.
Stock-judging competition on Facebook
If people are looking for something this to do over the weekend, head over to the Cork YMA Facebook page; this is young member’s branch of the Cork Holstein Club.
We are running a stock judging competition every week and this week, the focus is on a calf class.
On a parting now, as the country is starting to re-open, please keep apart and keep safe – do your bit as part of the battle against the spread of Covid-19.
