Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:41 am
I know that farmers in general have a reputation for moaning about the weather and I do try to avoid being drawn into conversations about it as I do not wish to be branded a moaner. However, in the 'sunny south east' (quite true this year) we are desperate for some sustained wet weather. I realise that in some parts of the country you would be thankfull of a couple of days without rain and your problems are different to mine. We have had no rain to speak of for a couple of months, what we have had has been to little to make any difference. It seems that rain comming from the west (most of what we get in the UK) travels north east away from us and all we get is the tail end of any rain bearing clouds.
I was at a show at the weekend and spoke to a few people there and we are all in the same boat. Grass is now brown and brittle and cows are on full winter rations. One large farmer that I know is bringing some of his cattle into yards, these are steers that would normally finish off of grass this autumn and he has to get them away to allow room for winter housing of his cows.
Cows are begining to dry up too early and I am having to creap feed calves as well. Starting on my winter fodder so soon means I am in two minds about buying in extra, I am constantly counting what I have and trying to calculate what I may need.
I realise that this post is of no comfort to those that need a bit of sunshine, it just goes to prove how diverse our weather is even though we are a small country.
I was at a show at the weekend and spoke to a few people there and we are all in the same boat. Grass is now brown and brittle and cows are on full winter rations. One large farmer that I know is bringing some of his cattle into yards, these are steers that would normally finish off of grass this autumn and he has to get them away to allow room for winter housing of his cows.
Cows are begining to dry up too early and I am having to creap feed calves as well. Starting on my winter fodder so soon means I am in two minds about buying in extra, I am constantly counting what I have and trying to calculate what I may need.
I realise that this post is of no comfort to those that need a bit of sunshine, it just goes to prove how diverse our weather is even though we are a small country.