20/02/24
With spring approaching, managing the condition and feed of in lamb ewes and in calf cows will be key over the next few weeks in order to get the best possible performance during calving and lambing. Another work in progress at the moment is extending the water system in order to bring more fields into the grazing rotation as well as fence maintenance, which seems endless! Hoping for a few dry days, it will make life a lot easier!
The cows will transition from straw and hay to silage 6 weeks before calving, with the first to start at the beginning of April. We tend to calve outdoors but as we’ve seen in recent years here on the open highlands of Hiraethog, that is not always possible! After calving, the cows will start a grazing cycle to keep up with the spring growth.
Our calving period is quite short, usually around 9-10 weeks. This enables us to manage pasture and stock more effectively, also the cows will come back to bulling at the same time. We are using AI to get new genetics/blood into the herd, then home bred bulls will be used for the second cycle.
The biggest advantage of the stabilizer cow is the calving period, we very rarely have to assist with calving, the calf is up in no time and sucking without us having to intervene, which is less stressful for the cow, the calf and us!
There has been some change regarding the flock over the last two years. We used to keep crossbred sheep, lambing mid-March in the shed and the other half were Welsh Mountain sheep which lambed outside. To reduce costs and labor a large number of the crossbred sheep has been sold, and last year for the first time all the sheep were lambing outdoors. Despite the nightmare of remembering the bad weather, we want to persevere and continue with this this year. Hopefully the hedges we have planted recently will be of help from the wind and rain in future years!
At the moment the twins are on swede, with the electric fence being moved daily. Silage will also be available to ensure there is enough protein and energy in the diet. This system saves us buying feed. Around three weeks before lambing the grazing rotation begins, this will enable pastures to be
re-established and encourage grass growth ready for spring. After set stocking over the lambing period the ewes and lamb will begin a grazing rotation.
Monitoring performance is a priority for us, so any problem with birth, prolapse, foot problems etc will be identified this spring. Identifying and getting rid of these less productive sheep or cows has paid off for us. We intend to continue to breed stock that is correct, healthy, fertile, gives birth easily and thrives on grass and forage only. Hoping that the bulls, heifers, cows or rams we sell keep their condition in whatever farm or system they go to.
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