Could you not tighten them up area wise and feed more silage to keep them out a bit longer while conditions allow? Does the workload increase alot once you bring them off pastures?
We have done that for the last while but have to drop Demand to zero now. Target closing cover of 700kgDM/ha for the 20th November. This will ensure we have plenty of grass to get out grazing in spring and not get tight on grass then
@MCMilkingIt fair enough mate we are lucky here in New Zealand pretty much grow grass all year all be it not very much though winter but enough to keep building cover, cheers for the reply👍
@jamieobrien9737 I would love to keep them out all the time as it is more work having them in. But it can also get too wet to stay out so can't graze crops either
@MCMilkingIt yea mate I've seen how wet it gets over there we average only 15 to 1800mls annually so have wet periods in the early spring and winter but can get away without making to much mud and if we do we just summer crop those paddocks, good luck for remainder of your season 👍
Not really suitable for outdoor cubicles, we it rains the sawdust holds onto the moisture creating the perfect environment for bacteria. Might be good inside but we find regular lime is best for outdoor cubicles
I find the outdoor cubicles very interesting and the cows actually look quite content and happy! I know of a similar system in Scotland. Surely though on particularly miserable days or night they won't be happy, when it's blowing a gale and driving rain, sure I wouldn't like to be out in it with little shelter! May I ask how many you are milking as well?
Ya they react much the same as they would out in the field. I'm sure they would prefer a shed on those days but we are quiet sheltered here so don't get many days like that
@MCMilkingIt do find it interesting, seeing different ways of doing things and keeping costs down. Cows look well to be fair. We used to milk, but it would definitely be to exposed here to have outdoor cubicles!
How much extra slurry storage do you need for outdoor cubicles in comparison to indoor ones?
How many cattle have you
Could you not tighten them up area wise and feed more silage to keep them out a bit longer while conditions allow? Does the workload increase alot once you bring them off pastures?
We have done that for the last while but have to drop Demand to zero now. Target closing cover of 700kgDM/ha for the 20th November. This will ensure we have plenty of grass to get out grazing in spring and not get tight on grass then
@MCMilkingIt fair enough mate we are lucky here in New Zealand pretty much grow grass all year all be it not very much though winter but enough to keep building cover, cheers for the reply👍
@jamieobrien9737 I would love to keep them out all the time as it is more work having them in. But it can also get too wet to stay out so can't graze crops either
@MCMilkingIt yea mate I've seen how wet it gets over there we average only 15 to 1800mls annually so have wet periods in the early spring and winter but can get away without making to much mud and if we do we just summer crop those paddocks, good luck for remainder of your season 👍
Would you ever consider using sublime Mark, cows stay a lot cleaner and the beds stay drier
Not really suitable for outdoor cubicles, we it rains the sawdust holds onto the moisture creating the perfect environment for bacteria. Might be good inside but we find regular lime is best for outdoor cubicles
I find the outdoor cubicles very interesting and the cows actually look quite content and happy! I know of a similar system in Scotland. Surely though on particularly miserable days or night they won't be happy, when it's blowing a gale and driving rain, sure I wouldn't like to be out in it with little shelter! May I ask how many you are milking as well?
Ya they react much the same as they would out in the field. I'm sure they would prefer a shed on those days but we are quiet sheltered here so don't get many days like that
@MCMilkingIt do find it interesting, seeing different ways of doing things and keeping costs down. Cows look well to be fair. We used to milk, but it would definitely be to exposed here to have outdoor cubicles!
Are the cows not in a shed for the winter
No we keep them in the outdoor cubicles and it works really well
Interesting. Gras inside, cows outside. Good Luck co-worker farmer....