Bedding

With straw an expensive commodity for livestock farmers, efficient use of it is necessary to keep costs down.

The young weanlings left in the shed have started to thrive since the older calves were sold.

Providing calves that are suckling cows with a clean, dry bedded creep area is good practice during the housing period.

With upwards of 30mm to 40mm of rain forecast on Friday night through to Saturday and coming hot on the wheels of some heavy snowfalls, ground conditions will come under pressure.

Mayo dairy farmer Keith O’Boyle purchased a new VDMJ straw blower 12 months ago and claims that the machine is saving 60% on time and 20% on material. Peter Thomas Keaveney reports.

Farmers are contacting the INHFA expressing concern around their fodder supplies, according to vice president John Joe Fitzgerald.

In some areas, straw is sitting on the ground awaiting dry weather, which does appear to be on the horizon. Peter Thomas Keaveney looks at four methods farmers are using to dry straw.

With straw supplies set to be tight this year, Martin Merrick calculates how much straw you will likely require and how best to save on straw usage.