Thomas Irwin

Grass based split block calving dairy farming, learnt a lot, eager to learn more and help good people progress on in life

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@Ampandrew Seen this before as well, either there is too much silage effluent in the mix or it's too thick, also seen it when dry and the lines just bake to the ground.

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@farmerdanb A deposit maybe but upfront payment, no chance

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@AidanAidanmc @stratfordno1 @BeingAFarmWife Just drill/core holes in them every foot or so, simples

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@farmerdanb Fairly bang on, get the odd one that is borderline and so they won't give an answer either way hence rechecks, also doesn't tell you if a cow has slipped back a cycle but activity system tells us this, we'll probably vet scan 20% of the herd annually now getting our culling list

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@georgebooth28 Filters are a good idea, never thought of that, thought about putting in man holes incase drains choked, what sort of filters George? Thanks

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

Thinking out drainage in our new calf shed, any good ideas or ways of running floors out there? What covers/drainage channels/grids are people using? Any ideas/pics appreciated

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@HarbisonHugh @first_milk Thanks yeah, 710's Hugh, smallest tanker we could get with 710's on, supposed to be a 2500gallon but she is more like a 3000

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

1st year out with the dribble bar here on the Mull of Kintyre #lowemissionslurryspreading #goingfornetzero #growgrassgrow
@first_milk

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@mendipfarmer I use uk planning maps online for site and location maps, can outline where the development is to be and where your nearest boundary is

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@farmerdanb Personally I wouldn't use it again, horrible sticky stuff to work with, and tanks need washed between loads

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@farmerdanb We did for one winter before Campbeltown creamery closed, increased intakes no end but made no difference other than that, but you have to be carefull when including it into the diet, needs to be added slowly or it will blow their guts out.

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

Clearing the site for our new calf building today, keep the calf rearers happy 🤞👍👌

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@ohallandersons Been sitting at 70% to 77% 6WICR for the last few years, we need a different approach to get us over that 80% to 85% range which should in turn bring down empties.

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

Thinking about commencing breeding on our spring block 2 weeks earlier with heifers and 1st/2nd lac cows if eligible with the thought that this should help in aiding us to tighten our block down in 2022, thoughts or advice on this?

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@ohallandersons My thoughts are if we front load eligible 1st/2nd calvers as well, 1. Gives more of an opertunity for those cows to remain in the first 6 weeks if they repeat? 2. Gives a longer lag time for 2022 calving to breeding if calving earlier = higher conception to first service?

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@farmerdanb 👍👍👌

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@farmerdanb In my view all actual meetings should be livestreamed, the technology is there, at the very least filmed so people can view in their own time. As levy payers we can get more bang for our buck if speakers are preaching to all levy payers at once rather than in small local groups

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@farmerdanb This year has put everyone on a more even playing field as all events have moved to virtual and I have got far more from ahdb as result. Hopefully all meetings/events will remain virtual post lockdown as well as in person to allow every levy payer to access every meeting.

[Thomas Irwin @M1LKYCOO]

@farmerdanb Certain levy payers will have got a better bang for their buck than others depending on their locality so some farmers will be subsidising other through their levy, pre covid there had been very little or no representation in our area for 4 or 5 years from AHDB.