Yesterday we took 5 milkers and 5 maiden heifers to the Shorthorn Society's Annual Show & Sales. It was scheduled to be held at Chelford Auction - but the extension of the Bluetongue Protection Zone meant that was impossible. So it was held at Beeston Castle Auction. James went down with the cattle yesterday afternoon and man and cows spent a comfortable night. We had another early start so we could milk and do up and still be there for the start of the sale.
We've just got back and had a quick glance at the post that came while we were out. Among the bills and circulars was this weeks Farmers Weekly, and this excerpt from an article on page 37 explains partly why we seem to be selling so much stock at the moment. (It's also because we had a good run of heifers in the past two years and our buildings don't have elastic sides)
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Case study 
James Robinson - KENDAL, CUMBRIA
Dairy herds which have switched to organic production on marginal land have limited cropping options. But that's not something deterring the Robinson family from Old Hutton, Kendal, Cumbria.
Their Strickley herd of 90 pedigree Dairy Shorthorns has a high-cost winter ahead as it switches to organic feeds in the final six months of its conversion set against a conventional milk price of 25p/litre. The pot at the end of the rainbow is 34.5p/litre, but in the meantime this winter's compound feed is costing £320/t - compared with the same supplier's conventional dairy ration at £170/t.
"We expected £280, but this is a big jump to £320 - and it's stinging," says James Robinson.
With no shortage of buyers ringing up for Dairy Shorthorn cattle, this Cumbria herd may opt to sell all its heifers and cut cow numbers a little to bolster income in the short-term and help cash-flow this winter.
"It'll soften the blow. We don't want to lose yield by cutting corners with the ration because we'll need plenty of spring milk to get us back on track. Although we're a marginal grass farm we'll be looking at growing some arable silage and crimping some grain next year."
James Robinson - KENDAL, CUMBRIA
Dairy herds which have switched to organic production on marginal land have limited cropping options. But that's not something deterring the Robinson family from Old Hutton, Kendal, Cumbria.
Their Strickley herd of 90 pedigree Dairy Shorthorns has a high-cost winter ahead as it switches to organic feeds in the final six months of its conversion set against a conventional milk price of 25p/litre. The pot at the end of the rainbow is 34.5p/litre, but in the meantime this winter's compound feed is costing £320/t - compared with the same supplier's conventional dairy ration at £170/t.
"We expected £280, but this is a big jump to £320 - and it's stinging," says James Robinson.
With no shortage of buyers ringing up for Dairy Shorthorn cattle, this Cumbria herd may opt to sell all its heifers and cut cow numbers a little to bolster income in the short-term and help cash-flow this winter.
"It'll soften the blow. We don't want to lose yield by cutting corners with the ration because we'll need plenty of spring milk to get us back on track. Although we're a marginal grass farm we'll be looking at growing some arable silage and crimping some grain next year."
If you want to read the full article click here
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