The last couple of months has been a challenge for farmers due to the constant fact that the weather will always determine what we do, when we do it and how it will be done. A dryer than average April caused much apprehension as this month is crucial to the growing quality of the crops. For us, this was the quality and quantity of grass that would be cut for silage and our main source of winter feed. The lack of rainfall meant that the grass stopped growing, so we made the decision to cut early and get it in the clamp whilst it was dry and relatively good quality. We knew the yield would be smaller than previous years, however the chance of the whole crop being poor quality and saturated with moisture outweighed the the amount of grass cut; therefore we were happy to cut in early May.
With farming, we have to be adaptable and resourceful as no two years are ever the same. I have been working full time for three years, and each year has varied massively in the way we farm, the demand for our product as well as peaks and troughs in the current market. The Aberdeen Angus Beef trade was great at the beginning of the year, however more recently we experienced a cut back in the need for our finished cattle. As a result we had over 50 beef animals fit for slaughter that had no where to go. Although we overcame this problem by 'slowing up' their daily live weight gain, we can not change the fact that they were still being fed around 35kg each of food per day and ultimately using grass silage that could be fed to the small cattle resulting in more silage been saved for winter feed. This issue coupled with the small silage yield from May 2017 meant that we would need to buy in winter feed or sell some Stirks (yearlings).
With the Stirks and Stores beef trade being high, we decided to sell thirty 11-13months old cattle at Sedgemoor Market. I had always wanted to go to market, so my chance came a couple of weeks ago when Dad and I set off after work on a Saturday morning to see what it was all about. Although my experience may be slightly bias coming from a females perspective, I still hope it has some truth in it! Driving into the carpark, I had never seen so many 4x4's and IFor Williams trailers parked up whether it was in a space or just pulled up on the kerb. Then as we walked into the selling rings we were greeted with an aroma of mens Joop after shave and sweaty cattle. Next I was mesmorised with the speed the cattle were sold and the adrenaline fuelled auctioneers voice. To be honest it was quite overwhelming and I found my self just staring at the ring trying to take it all in. Soon enough my ears had tuned in to what the auctioneer was saying and it all became a lot clearer! 2 weeks later, our cattle were loaded up on their way to market with Dad, Grampy, Mum and I following behind. It was an exciting experience knowing that we had reared these cattle from 3 weeks of age to then seeing them being sold in the ring. We all had a great day and the cattle sold well.