Crofting

do something with that data,” she said.

To work out youngstock targets, you can: 1. Work out the mature bodyweight of your cows 2. Calculate 90% of the mature bodyweight, which is the target weight to calve cows down at 24 months 3. Calculate 60% of the mature bodyweight, which is the target weight for serving cows at 13 months old 4. Calculate the target growth rate from birth to service. You can do this by deducting the birth weight from the service weight and dividing it by 400 days 5. Calculate weaning weight

Bulling at the right weight and calving down at 22 months has saved Halton Farms money, with each heifer going through the system costing £270 less.

This saving is coming from: • Improved maiden heifer

fertility. On average, only 1.2 straws of semen are needed compared to 2.2 before • Reducing the number of days to first calving • Heifer milk yield maintained – 10,500l in a 305-day lactation • First lactation fertility improved- 100-day in calf rate at 100% • First lactation culling rate for fertility reduced- three years ago it was 10-15% now it’s a 0%

To achieve such targets, attention to detail by every staff member is paramount. Karen’s philosophy is that if she were to get run over by a bus tomorrow, the calves would never know, with every team member able to perform the job correctly. This means protocols are in place at every stage in calves’ life. Karen said:” You’ve got a six-week window to grow calves, and you can’t get that back. This means there is no compromise for that six weeks.”

One-stop-shop training platform to maximise herd health and business performance

A unique training hub, which aims to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge they require to optimise herd health and business performance, is now available.

FarmIQ has been launched by VetPartners to help farmers navigate this period of rapid change that the industry is experiencing. Farmers are striving to continue to progress and remain profitable in the face of a new policy and support framework, rising input costs and an increased focus on sustainability. The platform raises the quality of online, hybrid and in-person training opportunities available to farmers looking to improve their businesses.

It has been confirmed by the Scottish Government that work is to start imminently to ensure a Crofting Reform Bill is passed in the course of this parliament.

Think of crofting law as an overgrown garden – there is actually very good substance underneath the brambles. It was recognised back in 1998 that the law needed remedial work and since then there has been a series of amendments. Some helped but some added problems, so more had to try to then plaster over the damage. It is an impenetrable thicket now, in need of branch and stem pruning.

In the last term of Scottish Government, a serious attempt was made to do this and it got close to a draft bill, but was dropped due to all legislation teams being put on to preparing for Brexit.

The approach is to write up the 30 or so amendments already identified as essential, plus some that need more work. There are also recommended revisions from the Scottish Law Society research work which took place in the intervening

crofting

Crofting Law Reform Back On The Agenda

By Patrick Krause, Chief Executive, Scottish Crofting Federation

period and, a win for the SCF ‘Access to Crofts’ campaign, the Crofting Commission has been asked by Scottish Government to generate a list of amendments that they need to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.

When all the amendments have been made and passed into law, and the law is used for a while, given its test run, a consolidation bill is required to bring all the amending acts together in one act (last done in 1994). So there is still a way to go until we enjoy a stroll in a well-tended garden.

Meanwhile, the Crofting Commission is getting additional staff and will now be able to put more resource into the Regulation and Land Use team and so use the existing legislation more effectively. It is clear from recent SCF village hall meetings that crofters want the commission to regulate well and to free up unused crofts for new entrants.

If you have concerns or just want to chat about crofting, come and talk to us at the Royal Highland Show.

Dr Tim Potter, training consultant at VetPartners, explains that sustained improvements to farm businesses are achieved through a holistic approach, focusing on everything from soil health to team management.

“Continued learning is key to optimising dairy herd performance. The platform is a one-stop-shop for farmers looking for training opportunities, either for themselves or their team,” he says.

“In dairy, herd performance and profitability are determined by a broad range of factors. Healthy soil and optimal grazing management will provide the right micronutrients to cows through quality swords and homegrown forage. While having a coherent team working together who understand how their responsibilities contribute to the farm’s business aims, also results in improvements to livestock health, welfare and ultimately profitability.”

Between 2011 and 2021, average herd size increased by 22%, with yields increasing by 7% during the same time period[1].

“Larger and more productive dairy herds require increasing levels of attention to detail to optimise performance. And that is on top of other aspects of farm business management changing, with the Basic Payments Scheme (BPS) being phased out and replaced with incentives which provide public money for public goods. Together, these changes mean farmers and their teams need to know more detail about more areas to make the most of their businesses.

“FarmIQ provides flexible training options for any farmer looking to brush up on their skills as the industry changes rapidly,” says Dr Potter.

He particularly recommends the ‘Why sustainability is important?’ online course, which covers why it is important to work with your farm vet to identify solutions which benefit your livestock, your farm business and the environment simultaneously.

In addition to the on-farm benefits of training, an increasing number of retailers, milk contracts and assurance schemes are now requiring evidence of training.

“The ‘Responsible use of medicines’ course is Red Tractor approved and can therefore be used as evidence for assurance assessments,” says Mr Potter.

The courses on FarmIQ are available to any farmer, there is no need to be registered with a VetPartners practice.

“New courses will be added as content is developed by Kingshay, VetPartners farm practices and guest trainers, so it is worth checking regularly to see the training options available which could contribute towards continued improvement in your farm business,” concludes Dr Potter. To see a full list of available courses, visit https://farmiq. co.uk/.

Mild winter presents increased fly risk

With exceptionally mild temperatures recorded over the winter1, dairy farmers must be alert to increased fly populations this spring, and the negative impact this could have on their herd.

To protect herd productivity and welfare, taking early action on fly control is vital, says Dr. Paul Williams, MSD Animal Health Technical Manager for Ruminants.

“Fly nuisance causes distress and restlessness to herds, reducing eating time and consequently milk yield by up to 30%2. Flies can also transmit diseases such as summer mastitis later in the year3.

“The relatively mild winter has meant that spring fly populations could be higher than usual, posing an issue to livestock earlier in the year4.

“If left untreated during spring, further generations of eggs will start hatching as temperatures rise over ten degrees celcius, causing an even bigger problem by summer2.

Taking action now will help to minimise the threat of fly nuisance, and the risk of reduced herd performance, says Dr. Williams.

“I recommend that farmers can get on top of fly populations with BUTOX® SWISH – no cattle pour-on lasts longer for fly control.

“The pour-on suspension offers 8 to 10 weeks of fly control, meaning fewer applications throughout the season and less handling of cows. There is no withdrawal period for milk, therefore no break in production is needed*.

“For the best result, it is important to start treating the herd as soon as the risk period occurs. If you wait until fly numbers are visually obvious, it may be too late.

To protect herd health, welfare and productivity this summer, act early and talk to your vet about potential treatment options.

Cost control - Are your cows milking it?

With soaring input costs threatening the bottom line of many businesses, farmers are reminded that every cow in the milking herd must be able to justify her position. SAC Consulting is encouraging farmers to take a targeted approach to rising fertiliser and feed costs and is offering practical advice on important steps that can be taken to improve margins in the dairy herd.

With the cost of fertiliser at an all-time high and ammonium nitrate at £1000/T, Senior Dairy Consultant Lorna MacPherson, reflected that many farmers may be saying they can’t afford to use it, but stressed that they should ask themselves, ‘can they afford not to’?

“As tempting as it will be to cut back on fertiliser use, make sure you closely evaluate what the impact down the line might be if you have less silage next winter. Forward planning on silage carryover stocks and winter demand based on livestock numbers can help plan how much silage you need to make.