from Farmer’s Weekly Interactive
Maximising production from grass is the aim of most dairy farmers, but when that’s the aim, spring calving is usually the chosen route.
However, for Mark, Hilary Pilkington and son Matthew, of Barby, Daventry, it’s an autumn-calving herd which forms the basis for their specialist dairy enterprise on 220ha (543 acres) of tenanted land.
“We would have opted for spring calving if we could. But having only moved here 18 months ago from Devon, we are fearful this could be a dry farm in summer and relying on grazed grass for milk could be a danger,” explains Mark Pilkington.
“When we came to view the farm it was July 2006 and pastures were burnt up, we couldn’t risk spring calving and then being short of grass just as cows were at their peak yield.”
Since moving to the unit in October 2006, the Pilkingtons have set about making it one they can farm with ease to maximise grass use and forage yields for their organic herd.
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From The Daily Mail, United Kingdom. See photos of this amazing cow.
There is no question that he stands out from the herd.
But even at 6ft 6ins tall, whether or not Chilli the bullock is the tallest in Britain may be a moot point.
His owners have contacted the Guinness Book of Records who are currently assessing his credentials and comparing them to other big bovines.
The black and white Friesian bullock weighs well over a ton and at the same height as a small elephant, casts a shadow over his cattle companions who are about 5ft.
Despite his grand stature, Chilli only grazes on grass during the day and enjoys the occasional swede as a treat.
The heifer, who is almost as high as he is long, lives at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Chard, Somerset, after he was left on their doorstep aged just six-days-old.
Nine years on, Chilli has kept on growing, and staff believe the giant will smash a record for Britain’s tallest ever cow.
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from Farmer’s Guardian.
Starting from scratch with the drive to fulfil a dream of dairying
A YOUNG man who never wanted anything else but to be a farmer has gone from owning just six dairy cows 12 years ago to keeping more than 260 head of cattle today – and picked up an award for his efforts along the way.
Tom Morris, of Flimston Farm, Martletwy, near Narberth, was brought up on the family farm but when he was ten-years-old his father sold the milking herd in readiness for his retirement.
Determined to farm in his own right and starting virtually from scratch, Tom is now milking his own 120 cows and rearing his own pedigree herd replacements.
Despite dairy farming’s traumatic times of recent years, he has stuck with it and is looking ahead to increase the number of milkers, lift average yields and breed what he describes as his “ideal” type of cow.
The past few years have already seen a new parlour, housing and feeding arrangements going in and time has even been found to study for an HNC in agricultural management, as well as an HND qualification.
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Ayala High School Band and Color Guard will host its first “Cow Chip Bingo” event on the back band field at Ayala High School from noon to 4 p.m. May 31.
Three well-fed cows will be released onto a pre-marked 50-yard by 60-yard field containing 3,000 squares. Each square yard represents a “land deed parcel.” The first three plops on a “land deed parcel” will be measured and recorded, and prize winnings will be awarded to the owners.
The cost of each parcel will be a $5 donation, and they may be purchased through any of Ayala’s band booster parents. Parcels will be sold at this event right up to the last plop. Deed owners must be at least 21 years of age. Proceeds will benefit instrumental music programs for the Ayala Band and Color Guard.
Information: cowbingo.ayalabac.org.
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