Cost savings and improved cow health with big square bales

摘要

Are your straw stocks diminishing at a great rate of knots? If so, you could face a hefty bill for bought-in straw thanks to last year's dry summer. But for one Shropshire farming partnership, a change in straw management has slashed their consumptionby a staggering 40% - despite doubling their herd size. Phillip and Tom Mansell (pictured above) farm a total of 280ha in partnership with their mother, Minnie, at Flashbrook Manor, which supports a rapidly expanding 250-cow dairy herd and 400 beef cattle finishing unit, near Newport, Shropshire.