We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.John Gordon: SFP raises a smile and a new mixer ‘should’ bring a trouble-free Christmas
I wrote last month that all autumn calving cows had been housed, additionally this month we had to house all our spring calvers.
Bringing in cows that have not yet calved is a first for us and just underlines how wet November was. However, we must be realistic and, although it has been a difficult season, we have coped and we spare a thought for those Cumbrian farmers who had to endure 12 inches of rain in 24 hours.
Sheep continue to do well with lambs grossing £78 (December 10). After a sharp rise I hope they stabilise at this level for a while. Tupping is going well. With two cycles complete and tups turning thin we will take them out from the ewes soon.
The ewes which were tupped in the last fortnight will go out to the far hill and rough it for a while. The others will be onto better grass and hopefully they will maintain body condition.
Scottish farmers had something to smile about on December 1, as their SFP money arrived. At 15 per cent more than last year it is a welcome boost. We accepted the euro option and fixed some at 92p/euro but later reversed this benefit by fixing some more at 87p when we thought the euro was rallying.
At the Christmas Classic show and sale at Thainstone Mart, son Ewan won a second and a third for two cattle in the Young Farmers competition. After walking well at home they were spooked at the show and didn’t show themselves very well.
Show cattle prices were not brilliant, but butchers are having a tough time just now especially selling the better cuts of beef.
After much negotiating we have bought a new tub mixer. There are many alternatives and it is easy to get bogged down assessing them all, but with a price tag of more than £20,000 you have to get it right.
Mixes will be quicker now and a new machine should give us a trouble-free Christmas, although saying so is probably the kiss of death. Merry Christmas.
