Cattle farm husbandry – monthly management diary

Cattle, farming, husbandry, monthly management tasks, livestock, feeding/pasture management, animal health, fertiliser, general & business management tasks

By Dr Clive Dalton



All farms are different
Every NZ farm is different and there are enormous differences between regions and districts in the timing of farm operations. Generally farming activities in the NZ South Island are at least a month later than on North Island farms. So use this calendar as a memory jogger, and get advice from local farmers or consultants who have many years of experience in your area.

JUNE
Livestock

• All non-productive stock should be off the farm to reduce feed demand.
• Check cow weight and condition score targets.
• Make early plans for calving – check you have all the gear.
• Finalise the calf rearing programme and check you have all gear needed.
• Check that disposal methods for dead stock are in order.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Feed will be getting short so carry out a full feed budget, and check feeding levels for stock, especially those needing special care like pregnant cows and young stock.
• Avoid pugging pastures in wet weather.
• Check management of new grass paddocks sown in autumn.
  

Animal health

• Discuss a detailed animal health programme for next season with your vet.
• Ask your vet to arrange blood profiles for minerals and trace elements.
• Start supplementation with magnesium if needed.
• Palpate dry cows’ udders regularly (weekly) for possible mastitis.
• Watch out for early abortions – and get all cases checked by your vet.
• Update animal health records.
  

Fertiliser

• Plan for some nitrogen fertiliser when soil temperatures are above 6-10°C, provided soils are not too wet.
• Check progress of new pastures sown in autumn – they may need nitrogen at 25-30 kg N/ha.
  

General & business

• Check the farm maintenance programme.
• Depending on balance date, book the date for your annual formal review of the business with accountant, banker and farm consultant.
• Contact banker/accountant to check GST payments and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
  

JULY
Livestock

• Cows should have reached condition score 5 and heifers condition score 5.5 for calving.
• Separate cows about to calve (springers) and watch for mastitis.
• Make sure early-calved cows get full attention – dairy cows to be milked out fully, and check all calvers are free from udder problems.
• Fully feed all calved cows.
• Get calf tags, rearing pens, bedding and feeding equipment ready.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Have regular farm walks to assess pastures and update feed budgets.
• Check on feed and mineral supplement use.
• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Lactating cows to be fed on rising plane of nutrition.
  

Animal health

• Continue magnesium supplementation.
• Watch for abortions.
• Watch for bloat.
• Note all cows that are likely to have delayed oestrus – e.g. difficult calvings, have twins, downer cows and cows with metabolic diseases. These may need treatment before mating.
• Vaccinate calves for blackleg when 6-8 weeks old.
• Check calves for lice.
• Update animal health records.
  

Fertiliser

• Consider strategic use of nitrogen at 30 – 50 kg N/ha to provide feed post-calving.

General & business

• Do regular checks of electric fence, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
  

AUGUST
Livestock

• Give special attention to feeding newly-calved cows and especially heifers.
• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Milk out all cows as soon as possible after calving and check for mastitis.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Feed budgets to be updated.
• Have regular farm walks to assess pastures.
• Checks on supplement use.
• Grazing rotation should be around 20-30 days.
• Grazing residuals should be around 1600-2000kg DM/ha with no clumps left.
  

Animal health

• Continue magnesium supplementation.
• Treat clinical cases of mastitis and keep records.
• Check cows that have not calved by due dates and discuss with your vet what to do with them.
• Tail paint to record when cycling activity starts in dairy stock. This is not so important with beef cows mated later.
• Watch for bloat.
• Update animal health records.
  

Fertiliser

• Consider strategic use of nitrogen at rates similar to July which will provide feed in the second and third grazing round after calving.
• Plan and carry out your soil and pasture testing programme
  

General and business

• Do regular checks of electric fence, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
  

SEPTEMBER
Livestock

• Cow live weight and condition score targets to be checked.
• Check planning and facilities for AI programme with dairy stock next month.
• Check you have beef bulls organised.
• Get the vet to check non-cycling cows.
• Tail paint and start recording pre-mating heats. Some farmers like to start this earlier (August).
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Fully feed all lactating cows.
• Feed budgets to be updated.
• Do regular farm walks to assess pastures.
• Check on supplement use.
  

Animal health

• Vet check non-cycling cows.
• Maintain tail paint and record pre-mating heats if going to use AI.
• Day 42 of calving – check all late calving cows.
• Check that all service bulls have been arranged.
• Watch for bloat.
• Ensure all calf dehorning is being done effectively (with anaesthetic).
• Castrate any calves not left as bulls before they are 6 weeks old.
• Update animal health records.
  

Fertiliser

• Consider strategic use of nitrogen at rates as for July and August.
• Consider applying your maintenance fertiliser nutrients, including P, K, S and Mg if and as required, based on soil and pasture test results and farm production.
• Trace element additives, such as Se, Cu or Co can be applied with the maintenance fertiliser if required.
  

General and business

• Do regular checks of electric fence, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
• Finalise cash book.
  

OCTOBER
Livestock

• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Check calf growth progress.
• Start AI programme or turn the bulls out.
• Monitor heat detection progress.
• Organise bulls to follow up after AB programme. Have reserve bulls in case of accidents.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Fully feed all lactating cows.
• Have regular farm walks to assess feed.
  

Animal health

• Check on calf weaning strategy.
• Check need for clostridial vaccinations.
• Review drench programme.
• Get vet to check late cycling cows.
• Vet check all bulls that come on to the farm (especially for Tb, EBL and BVD). Watch for bloat.
• Update animal health records.
  

Fertiliser

• Consider strategic use of nitrogen at 20 to 30 kg N/ha to increase silage production and make sure cows are fully fed.
• Apply any capital fertiliser recommended if the objective is to lift soil fertility levels.
• Apply maintenance fertiliser as for September if you haven’t already done so.
  

General and business

• Check electric fences, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
  

NOVEMBER
Livestock

• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Analyse and check progress of AI programme and how bulls have been working.
• Check bulls are actually serving the cows – and watch for injuries.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Fully feed all lactating cows.
• Do regular farm walks to assess feed.
• Start identifying true pasture surpluses for silage or hay.
• Make silage from surpluses.
  

Animal health

• Check calves for any weaning checks in growth.
• Watch for bloat.
• Update animal health records.
• Make plans for pregnancy testing.
  

Fertiliser

• Consider strategic use of nitrogen to build up a feed surplus for summer.
• Lime can be applied any time from now until late April if needed.
  

General and business

• Checks electric fences, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
  

DECEMBER
Livestock

• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Finish AI programme and analyse results. Take appropriate action if needed.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Fully feed lactating cows.
• Do regular farm walks to assess feed.
• Make silage or hay from surplus pasture.
  

Animal health

• Check growth and health of calves.
• Carry our early pregnancy testing of dairy stock.
• Examine and treat repeat breeders.
• Plan to start zinc drenching for Facial Eczema (FE) next month (in prone areas).
• Update animal health records.
  

Fertiliser

• Consider strategic use of nitrogen provided there is adequate soil moisture and the pasture is still growing.
• Apply lime if required from soil test results.
  

General and business

• Check electric fences, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
  

JANUARY
Livestock

• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Remove bulls and decide on their fate.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Fully feed lactating cows.
• Feed supplements when needed.
• Do regular farm walks to assess feed.
• Make hay and late silage (balage).
• Start increasing the grazing round if pastures get dry.
  

Animal health

• Start FE protection and check that dose rates are delivering the correct level of zinc.
• Update animal health records.
  

Fertiliser

• Probably too dry and hot to apply nitrogen, unless irrigation is available.

General and business

• Check electric fences, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
  

FEBRUARY

Livestock

• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Get rid of early culls (unproductive or barren stock) and fully feed productive stock.
• If pastures are drying up rapidly, feed out supplements.
  

Animal health

• Continue FE protection in prone areas.
• Start calf leptospirosis vaccinations for dairy stock.
• Watch for ryegrass staggers when pastures start to dry up.
• Update animal health records.
• Start pregnancy testing.
  

Fertiliser

• Probably too dry and hot to apply nitrogen, unless irrigation is available.
• Lime and maintenance fertiliser may be applied if required.
  

General and business

• Check electric fences, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
  

MARCH
Livestock

• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Fully feed all lactating cows.
• Dry off early any cows that are not producing or losing condition.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Update feed budgets.
• Make regular farm walks to assess pastures.
• Check on supplement use.
• Feed supplements if needed to maintain lactation and body condition.
• Identify pastures that may need to be renewed.
  

Animal health

• Continue FE protection in prone areas.
• Check on calf growth and health.
• Update animal health records.
• Use liver samples from culled cows to check for trace element status through your vet.
• Carry out pregnancy testing.
  

Fertiliser

• Consider strategic use of nitrogen at 20-30kg N/ha to start and build up autumn feed.
• Carry out soil tests and review fertiliser programme with consultant.
• Apply any autumn fertiliser needed.
  

General and business

• Check electric fences, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
• If 31 March is balance date – lodge books with accountant by 1 May.
  

APRIL
Livestock

• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Consider fate of non-productive cows – dry off or cull them.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Fully feed any lactating cows.
• Feed supplements to maintain productive stock.
• Do regular farm walks to assess pastures and update feed budgets.
• Check on supplement use.
• Start pasture renewal programme.
  

Animal health

• Finish FE zinc prevention if not required. Could continue into May.
  
• Do liver tests for trace elements through your vet.
• Check growth and health of any young stock on the farm.
• Update animal health records.
  

Fertiliser

• Consider strategic use of nitrogen at 20-30 kg N/ha to build up late autumn/early winter feed.

General and business

• Check electric fences, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
  

MAY
Livestock

• Check cow live weight and condition score targets.
• Dry off any cows still milking.
  

Feeding/Pasture management

• Do regular farm walks to assess pastures and update feed budgets.
• Check on feed supplement use.
• Make plans to avoid pugging during winter.
  

Animal health

• Use appropriate dry cow treatment in consultation with vet.
• Arrange liver tests for trace elements.
• Check new pastures and crop for high nitrate levels.
• Review animal health programme with your vet (for the past and future season).
• Update animal health records.
• Check growth and health of young stock on the farm.
  

Fertiliser

• Consider strategic use of nitrogen as for April.

General and business

• Check electric fences, farm vehicles and water supply.
• Check financial budget and cash flow and pay accounts monthly.
• Input data to PC to estimate cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors and finalise cash book.
• If 31 May is balance date – lodge books with accountant by 1 July.
  

Disclaimer This material is provided in good faith for information purposes only, and the author does not accept any liability to any person for actions taken as a result of the information or advice (or the use of such information or advice) provided in these pages.

Sheep Farm Husbandry - sheep farm calendar

Sheep, husbandry, monthly calendar of events, New Zealand, southern hemisphere

By Dr Clive Dalton

Every sheep farm is different and there are enormous differences between districts and regions within New Zealand. The biggest difference is between North and South Islands where events on South Island sheep farms run at least a month later than North Island farms. Use these notes as a “memory jogger” so that if you are not sure what needs to be done on your property, then seek advice. It’s usual to start the farming year off in June which is mid-winter in the Southern hemisphere.


JUNE
Livestock

• All non-productive sheep should be off the farm so that feed is allocated to high priority stock that need it.
• Check liveweight and condition score targets.
• Check that rams are being well cared for.
• Start planning for lambing – get equipment and lambing paddocks ready.
• Check all records are ready for lambing.
• Ensure you have a disposal method for dead stock.
  

Feeding/pasture management

• Do a feed budget to check pasture covers and supplements.
• Check feed allocations to ewes.
• Build up pasture reserves for lambing.
• After grazing, residual pasture should be around 2-3cm high.
• Avoid pugging pastures in really wet weather.
• Check management of any new grass paddocks. Consider strategic use of N fertiliser provided soils are not too wet and temperatures are above 6°C.
  

Animal health

• Plan your animal health programme for next season with your vet.
• Check blood profiles for minerals and trace elements on vet advice.
• Carry out pre-lambing vaccinations on vet advice.
• Treat and clear up any foot problems made worse by wet weather.
• Watch for early abortions and get them checked with your vet.
• Update animal health records.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Complete all farm maintenance before lambing.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Depending on your balance date, book a date for your farm business review with your banker, accountant and farm consultant.
• Pay accounts monthly.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check OSH and farm safety policy for the property.
• Attend any farmers’ conferences, field days and vet clinic training days.
  

JULY
Livestock

• Draft ewes into lambing mobs to control their feeding levels.
• Put late lambing ewes on short feed and keep checking for signs of lambing as things can change quickly.
• Separate ewes that are clearly barren and put them on short feed or dispose of them.
• Watch for sleepy sickness in any ewes obviously very heavy in lamb, or that have been scanned as carrying multiples.
• In drafted-off early lambing ewes, watch for abortions or mastitis.
• Be prepared for ewes that lamb before the expected date.
• Have good feed and shelter ready for all ewes immediately after lambing.

Feeding/pasture management

• Keep a regular check on pasture growth and feed supplements if needed to maintain body condition.
• Consider the strategic use of N fertiliser to boost feed for lactating ewes.
  

Animal health

• Update animal health records.
• Check the growth and health of young stock – hoggets.
• Don’t drench hoggets unless they need it - check with vet.
• Vaccinate ewes before lambing with 5 in 1 vaccine – check with vet.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
  

AUGUST
Livestock

• Lambing should be in full swing (North Island).
• Fully feed lactating ewes, especially those with multiples.
• Keep sorting ewes by lambing date into groups to control feeding levels.
• Try to save every lamb if shepherding system allows it. Watch for “bunged-up” lambs with sticky tails.
• Check the so-called late lambers for lambs – some will surprise you!
• Watch for sleepy sickness especially in ewes that are clearly carrying multiples.
• Check daily for cast ewes.
  

Feeding/pasture management

• Check pasture growth and feed reserves are building up ahead of the stocks’ needs.
• Feed supplements wisely with no waste.
• Consider some strategic use of N to stimulate growth for the next grazing round if soil temperatures are above 6°C.
• Review your soil testing programme and fertiliser requirements.
  

Animal health

• Update animal health records.
• Check that all lambs are doing well.
• Plan for docking and castration before lambs are 3-4 weeks old.
• Check with vet to check if lambs should be drenched at docking.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
  

SEPTEMBER
Livestock

• Lambing in full swing (South Island). See advice for North Island in August.
• Ewes will be nearing peak lactation in North Island so make sure they have the best feed on the farm.
• Docking should be well through in the North Island. Check for cast ewes.
• Ewes may start growing dags so watch for early blowfly.
  

Feeding/pasture management

• Do regular checks on feed supply and demand as ewes will be at peak lactation and lambs will be starting to graze.
• Use supplements wisely.
• Consider strategic use of N fertiliser.
  

Animal health

• Update animal health records.
• Check on lambs’ growth and health, especially for internal parasites.
• Check all lambs’ tails have dropped off cleanly and watch for any infections and early blowfly.
  

General

• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
  

OCTOBER
Livestock

• Plan for hogget shearing (North Island).
• Check for cast ewes.
• Consider dipping or pour-on treatment of hoggets 2-3 weeks after shearing or leave until whole flock are dipped after main shearing.
• Never dip any sheep for at least 6 weeks before shearing.
• Provide good feed and shelter immediately after shearing if weather deteriorates.
• Keep lactating ewes and lambs on the best feed as the lambs will be eating a lot of grass by now.
  

Feeding/pasture management

• Make sure pasture growth is building up ahead of the stock’s needs.
• Feed supply should be starting to get ahead of feed demand (in North Island).
• Identify pastures that will be taken out of the grazing round for silage.
  

Animal health

• Update animal health records.
• Check that lambs are growing well and not scouring. If they are, check the cause with your vet as it could be worms and a drench may be needed.
• Check health and growth of replacement hoggets. They should be at maximum growth rate/day after shearing.
• Watch for blowfly on daggy ewes and lambs.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Maintenance fertiliser could be applied.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
  

NOVEMBER
Livestock

• Fully feed the ewes and lambs. The lambs will be eating large quantities of pasture by now.
• Identify some good feed for lambs after weaning.
• If growth slows, open up any paddocks saved for silage as the lactating ewes are top priority.
• Early-born lambs will be ready for the premium market.
• Shear rams.
• Check for cast ewes.
  

Feeding/pasture management

• Check the feed situation and the demands of the stock.
• Consider strategic use of N to boost feed for December.
• Keep watch for any pastures that have got out of control to make into silage.
  

Animal health

• Check with vet about a drenching programme for weaned lambs.
• Check the rams for any health problems.
• Watch any new rams purchased for health problems.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
  

DECEMBER
Livestock

• Shear all ewes and lambs if on annual shearing.
• Don’t dip or pour-on at least 6 weeks before shearing.
• Dip or pour-on the flock 2-3 weeks after shearing.
• Have good feed for ewes after shearing and shelter if weather gets rough.
• Wean lambs and have good pasture available for them. Check with vet if they should be drenched and which product to use.
• Let the lambs settle after weaning only checking them for blowfly. Check they have plenty of good water and some shade.
• Put weaned ewes on short feed until their milk dries up. Don’t deprive them of water. Keep a watch for mastitis.
• Once they are over weaning, then plan to feed them to replace lost body weight. This applies especially to ewes that reared multiples.
• Start to sort out which ewes to keep and which to cull before mating in March.
  

Feeding/pasture management

• Check the feed situation and the demands of the stock.
• Consider strategic use of N fertiliser to boost feed for December.
• Keep watch for any pastures that have got out of control to make into silage.
  

Animal health

• Check the hoggets and decide if you want to put them to the ram.
• Don’t drench any stock until you have checked with your vet to see if they need it based on faecal egg counts.
• Check for blowfly.
• Regularly check rams and make sure they are not getting too fat through lack of exercise.
• If weaned lambs are not thriving check with your vet to test for mineral deficiencies (cobalt or selenium) or internal parasites.
• Plan for facial eczema prevention to start in January.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
  

JANUARY
Livestock

• Check all stock have adequate water and shade if it gets really hot.
• Give weaned lambs the best feed.
• Make sure ewes are recovering and gaining weight.
• Get rid of all culls.
• If you really want some very early lamb in the North Island, it may be worth joining a ram to some ewes in very good condition to see what happens.
  

Feeding/pasture management

• Check feed supply and feed demand.
• Feed quality will be falling rapidly.
• Any pastures cut for silage should be re-growing. They may benefit from a strategic dressing of N fertiliser but it will need rain to be effective. Don’t apply N if it’s too dry.
• If pastures get out of control and are long and stalky, either make hay or graze with cattle. Don’t leave the dead litter on the paddock.
• Paddocks cut too low for hay will burn off if it’s hot. They may need N to get them going again but only if there is sufficient rain.
  

Animal health

• Update animal health records.
• Start facial eczema protection and check the dose rate is correct.
• Check growth rate of lambs and hoggets. Only drench if an internal parasite problem has been identified. Discuss this with your vet.
• Check rams are in good health and have not developed feet problems.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
  

FEBRUARY
Livestock

• Ewes should be on a rising feeding plane gaining weight for mating next month (North Island). This may be hard if there has been no rain for a while.
• Rams should be in top condition. Isolate them from sight of the ewes.
• Crutch ewes ready for joining with the ram.
• Sell all culled stock as weather gets dry.
• Consider shearing two-tooths before joining.
  

Feeding/pasture management

• Feed quality will be falling rapidly which will make flushing ewes difficult.
• Consider feeding some good quality silage if feed is very short.
• If you cut any paddocks for hay don’t cut down too low or it will make regrowth more difficult as soil will dry out faster.
• Identify any pastures that need renewing. Don’t start any work on them if it looks like a long dry spell is coming.
  

Animal health

• Update animal health records.
• Continue facial eczema prevention.
• Check lambs (now hoggets) for growth and general health.
• If you are tempted to drench any young stock, check with the vet and do a faecal egg count and then get advice on which product to use.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Lime and maintenance fertiliser can be applied but make sure there’s a good chance of rain to wash it in to avoid animal health problems.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
  

MARCH
Livestock

• Time to join the rams to ewes in the North Island.
• Ewes should have been flushed to be on a rising plane of nutrition. Dry weather often prevents this as pasture is too dry to produce high quality green feed.
• If hoggets are to be mated, join them with the ram 2 weeks before the main flock.
• If ewes are shorn before mating, do it at least 3-4 weeks before joining with the ram.
• Stock need water and shade if it’s still hot weather.

Feeding/pasture management

• Hopefully the autumn rains will have arrived to produce some new green growth.
  
• With the rains, the dead litter in the pasture will have rotted in a couple of days so there could be very little for stock to eat until the grass gets going again. It’s a good time to feed out some good quality silage.
• Consider some strategic use of N fertiliser to boost growth for later autumn.
• Start any pasture renewal work.
  

Animal health

• Update animal health records.
• Continue facial eczema protection.
• Check health of hoggets and only drench if faecal egg counts prove they need it. Check with your vet about which product to use.
• Check mineral and trace element status (e.g. selenium) if young stock are not thriving.
• Watch for any late flystrike.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Carry out a soil test if needed and get a fertiliser recommendation from a consultant. The soil test does not tell you how much to put on – a consultant needs to calculate this.
• Apply any autumn fertiliser but wait until rain is imminent to wash it in.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
• If 31 March is your balance date, lodge your books with an accountant by 1 May.
  

APRIL
Livestock

• Rams should be well through their work (North Island).
• Use ram harnesses to see if any ewes are returning. Because marks fade, put another more permanent small raddle mark on the head of the first ewes to lamb.
• Use a different breed of “tail-up” ram at the end of mating so you’ll be able to identify their lambs and not keep them as replacements.
• Get rid of any rams not needed for next season and any that have had health problems.
  

Feeding/pasture management

• Hopefully there should be some good autumn feed by now if the rains have been reliable.
• Give the ewes the best feed on the farm. It’s a critical time when the embryo is being established.
• Finish any pasture renewal work.
• Consider strategic use of N fertiliser to boost pasture growth for winter.
  

Animal health

• Update animal health records.
• Continue facial eczema protection.
• Check health of hoggets and only drench if they need it. Check with your vet about which product to use.
• Check mineral and trace element status (e.g. selenium) if young stock are not thriving.
• Check that any rams being kept have recovered from mating.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
• If 31 March is your balance date lodge your books with an accountant by 1 May.
  

MAY
Livestock

• Check rams have done their job in the South Island and take care of any that you are keeping for next season.
• See North Island notes for March/April.

Feeding/pasture management

• Accept that it’s well into autumn (North Island) and that feed growth will have slowed considerably.
• Tighten up the grazing round and feed supplements if the feed budget shows they are needed.
• Check the progress of autumn sown pastures. Give them a light grazing when ready.
  

Animal health

• Check the growth and health of hoggets.
• Only drench stock not thriving if your vet has checked the FEC and advised on the correct product to use.
• Update animal health records for annual review with your vet next month.
  

General

• Keep your daily farm diary up to date.
• Check electric fences, water supply and farm vehicles.
• Check financial budget and cash flows.
• Finalise cashbook.
• Contact accountant/banker to check GST payments.
• Check cash position and bank requirements for payment of creditors.
• Pay accounts monthly.
• If 31 March is your balance date lodge your books with an accountant by 1 May.
  

Disclaimer This material is provided in good faith for information purposes only, and the author does not accept any liability to any person for actions taken as a result of the information or advice (or the use of such information or advice) provided in these pages.

Daft Laddies – Muck & magic

Daft Laddies. Farming Tales of North Tyne and Rede 50 years on.
By Clive Dalton and Donald Clegg

An extract from the book - Daft Laddies. Farming Tales of North Tyne and Rede 50 years on (2003) By Clive Dalton and Donald Clegg. If you would like a copy, contact donaldclegg@btopenworld.com

You wadn’t believe huw lang we cud debate the subject of muck. Aa’ve seen the women folk so fed up with the topic, discussed at ivry meal time for about a month in winter, that they were riddy te clear oot. It was amazing how we could “taalk muck” with endless enthusiasm for hours, with the sort of interest shown by the connoisseurs of fine wine.

The boss, the hind and the Daft Laddie couldn't understand the womens’ complaints. Muck was the basis of the whole farming system before artifishil fortilizors started to appear. Lime and muck were all the land needed! We preached that they wor natural products and didn't force aall the gud oot o’ the grund, and grow hay crops that lay doon and that ye cudn't git won. In fact in today’s terms, we were organic farmers – so really there’s nowt new.

Muck was a vital by-product of the farming system up the Tyne and Rede and indeed the laddie wondered if his never-ending chore of “cut and carry in – shite and carry oot” would ever end! As a cow’s winter lavatory attendant you could only dream of May when the stock went ootside to kick up their heels and feed themselves. But the fascination and endless debate on muck came from the fact that, like a good wine, there were so many aspects to consider depending on your personal preferences, powers of observation and where it was going to be spread.

First, there were the major classifications to consider in order of mystical quality, most easily judged by colour, consistency and reek. There was hemmel muck, calf hutch muck, byre muck, and then plain common slurry or skitta, and finally yeddle which was more urine than muck! The class of muck dictated its ultimate use.

It was obvious te the Daftest Laddie that ye wadn't use byor muck for tettie drills, or deliver a load of skitta te Porcy in the village for his leeks. We Daft Laddies soon larned this from experience and lug chowins. So the physical consistency of muck was a critical factor and this was determined by water content which in turn was mainly controlled by the animal's diet. Indeed it was an important diagnostic question asked by the vet over the phone – “how is she iv hor muck”? And you had to be able to give the correct technical answer.

For example if the bease wor bein’ fed on canny newland hay, decent tornips and mebbe a bite o' caek, then a luvly consistency resulted. When fed on bad hay (mair akin te beddin’) and nee tornips, then the muck was like them liquorice caekes. If the Daft Laddie fed ower much kale or mangel, then when the wind blew the skitta really flew! An old hind friend once declared that he "had tean 22 full shoelfuus o’ skitta oot ahint a big owld Shorthorn cuw ivorry morneen”. She was a muckle greet muck factory. I checked his arithmetic and he was right!

Muck's consistency was also controlled by the amount of bedding used. Beddin’ was like gold and woe betide the Daft Laddie that was owwer rash when beddin’ up. The beddin could be leftovers from the hay or straw fed to the cattle, or it might be bad hay that the beast would sniff oot the tasty bits and leave the rest. It could even be oot-bye bent hay or bracken. The absorbent qualities of all these materials were different, so affected the final product.

The proportion of muck to beddin’ was a critical factor too, and you had to be very careful to strike the right balace when muckin’ oot and beddin’ up, so that the stock were kept clean but with the maximum amount of bedding saved.

The muck had a well planned journey. First it was shoeled oot from ahint the cuw and barrowed or hoyed on the midden in the yard. It could then be carted oot to be spread on the hayfields in the winter or made into a special midden near where the tillage was going to be. Here it would rot and reduce in bulk and turn into material that you could almost eat for your bait - luvly moist compost, full o' worms and nee smell a’maest."

Leadin’ and spreadin’ muck was another art. You yoked owld Blossom inte the caert and backed inte the midden. You loaded up so that she wasn't light o' the back. This meant that the weight was on the front of the cart (the caert heed) and the shafts stayed doon when the horse pulled. You also tried to keep the muck off yor claes and oot o' yor Wellies.

The best footwear was a good pair of Rogerson's heord laddie boots with leggings made from owld Wellington tops. You only cut the sole off the Wellingtons and left the rest to fit snugly over the boot, especially covering the lace holes. This magic combination was far healthier for your feet than wearing Wellingtons aall winter. It was safer too, as many a toe was spiked through the Wellie by the over enthusiastic wielding of a muck gripe.

When you got to the field, the distance left between the heaps dictated the rate per acre. Usually with byre muck it was about 5 yards for a dressing of about 10 tons/acre. At the shout of WOW, the horse stopped, and using the hack you pulled out a nice tidy heap of muck. "Gee-up", walk five yards, "WOW", hack out a heap and so on, striving for nice even, equidistant heaps that looked in good straight lines from all angles from the road or railway.

Spreddin’ or scalin’ muck was the worst part of the job although it had its artistic rewards. You spent all day bent over, shaking the muck out evenly from the heaps, so that a nice even cover resulted and nee greet lumps were left. I (DC) spread muck for most of one particular March when the weather was unusually warm and sunny. Aa was gay pleased te see the field gradually turn from green to brown as Aa worked across it, and me lass was even mair impressed wi me ower-aall sun tan, even if me aroma wasn’t ower attractive!

Spreadin’ muck with the gripe was terribly hard on your left forearm. And having your bait was always a challenge trying to find a bit of clean fingor to hold each sandwich. The trick was to feed the dog the last bit that you held on to! Owld Moss nivor refused it.

After that, all that was needed was the horse yoked into the chain harrows and the field left looking like the outfield at Lords. Any staenes on the surface of the grund had then to be picked off afore the grass grew in case they damaged the reaper.

Pickin’ staenes held little excitement for Daft Laddies. Indeed it was the pits of aall jobs. But one mentor told me the deal was - "afore ye bend yor back te pick a staene up, forst try te brae it inte the grund wi' your heel."

With tillage crops, the job was to muck the drills from the caert, first hoyin’ it oot in forkfuls and then spreadin’ it evenly as you walked along the adjacent drill. Good well-rotted, composted muck was the top choice for this job – muck that had been in a midden for at least 4-6 months or even up to a year. It just fell apart as you hit it with the gripe.

And then one day news started to spread of yet another farming revolution. They’d gitten a muck spreader at the Demense, the Reenes and the Riding. The news was red hot! “Man, ye fork the muck in, loadin’ hor from the front, and when ye git te the field ye set hor inte geor and the muck cums fleein’ oot the hint end as ye drive alang. Man, the muck gans in aall directions, and maekes a gay canny job o' spreedin’ an’aall. Mebbe not as geud as hand spreddin’ but oh! the job’s dun in minutes, man.”

Fortunately there was some fodder for the sceptics about this mechanical wonder. It was stressed that they divvent like ony staenes oot the bottom o' the midden steed, and the odd cuw cleenin’ or bindor twine thrrew hor works! And they leuk gay deor an’all – and remember the boss isn’t maede o’ money!

Also at this time in the 1950s, the battle between the old and new generations over “muck versus artifishel” fertilisers was hotting up. The old generation were convinced that artifishel fortilisor forced the grass, poisoned the soil and we’d end up wi’ hungry grund that wud grow nowt.

On the other hand they believed that muck had stood the test of time (from famous trials at Cockle Park no less), and was part of nature’s way of keeping things balanced. And most important of aall - it cost nowt! Cartin’ and spreadin’ muck was the basic winter job keepin’ the Daft Laddie from bein’ idle and pesterin’ the sarvant lass, and he culdn’t dee much damage with a horse and cart, gripe and muck hack! Owt he brok cud be fixed by the saddler or the blacksmith.

“But muck willn’t grow eneuf graass” was the cry of the younger generation who wanted to put on more of the new range of “bag mucks”. So there was nowt that pleased the old folk more than when gannin’ doon te Hexham on the bus iv a Tuesday, to see somebody’s hay crop lush and green - and flat!

“Aye, did ye see the hayfields at Mowdyhaugh - the yungun’s just come back from Korkley Haaall wi’ aal them daft ideas aboot artifishel - he’ll get a fair swet on rakin’ that lot back from the reapor bar”. That’ll bray sum sense intiv his daft heed!”

“Aye and anuthor thing - it’ll taek a blowd week to dry the top o’ the sweethes and a fortnight to dry them aftor thor torned! Wi muck man, ye git nice light crops that dry canny and ye can maek bonny hay!”

But lime and basic slag were exempt from suspicion. They were accepted as being much more natural for the soil. Lime was always seen as the great “sweetener’ of soils and basic slag had proved the test of time with all the research done at Cockle Park by them daft Professors. No, it was these fancy new bag mucks that wad be tue rruination o’ farmin by forcin’ the guts oot o’ the grund. Thor was nowt like the magic of muck