Tuesday, 21 January 2020 14:38

Farmers facing dry conditions urged to plan ahead

Written by  Staff Reporters
Soil moisture levels are significantly below historical averages across much of the country. Soil moisture levels are significantly below historical averages across much of the country.

With many regions experiencing increasingly dry weather, DairyNZ has put together some tips for farmers on managing challenging conditions.

Current NIWA soil moisture deficit maps show soil moisture levels are significantly below historical averages across the upper North Island, parts of the Waikato, Taranaki, Manawatū, the North Island’s East Coast, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago. 

“Ongoing dry weather can be stressful for farmers,” says DairyNZ’s strategy and investment leader, Dr Bruce Thorrold. 

“Planning ahead for how to respond if the dry conditions continue will allow farmers to consider their options and provide confidence about having a plan in place.

“The use of supplements needs careful consideration, taking into account the costs and benefits, including to cow health.” 

Farmers looking at using supplementary feed to fill a feed deficit should consider a number of issues to ensure it is used profitably:

• calculate the maximum supplement price that is affordable (including additional costs associated with supplement use), while still achieving performance goals 

• manage the amount of supplementary feed used to achieve post-grazing residuals of seven clicks (1500 kg of dry matter per hectare) or less on the rising plate meter, to ensure minimal substitution of pasture 

• reduce feed demand by reviewing stocking rates and moving unwanted stock off-farm.

“Heat stress has a real impact on cows and it is one of the key factors affecting milk production, but farmers can take steps to manage this,” says Thorrold.

When temperatures are over 21C and humidity is over 70 percent, Friesians and crossbreeds begin to feed less, and milk production reduces. In Jerseys, production losses only occur when temperatures rise to 25C or more.

To help keep cows comfortable in warm weather, farmers can: 

• ensure ample water is available to cows both day and night by checking flow rates to water troughs are high. Lactating cows need 100 litres per cow per day

• provide shade. Many farmers also use sprinklers and fans in dairy sheds to cool cows

• avoid giving high fibre feed to cows during the daytime, as it increases heat load

• change milking times to avoid the heat of the day. Moving to once-a-day milking or three milkings over two days is worth considering as an option.

“Farming through dry conditions does create uncertainty which can be stressful for everyone on a farm,” says Thorrold. 

“Take care of yourself and your team by planning for everyone to have regular time off to help you farm through a difficult time.” 

More like this

Drought classification welcome news - Feds

Federated Farmers Marlborough Province says it welcomes the announcement yesterday that current dry weather in the top of the South Island would be classified as a medium-scale adverse event.

More rain needed in drought regions

Recent rains across much of the country have had little impact on some of the worst hit drought regions of the country - namely the top of the South Island.

Celebrating dairy farmers this International Women's Day

Siobhan O’Malley is a dairy farmer, innovator, businesswoman and community volunteer, an example of the thousands of Kiwi dairy farming women throughout New Zealand who multi-task every day to contribute positively to their communities.

Featured

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as possible.

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Alliance's Pure South cuts win gold

Meat co-operative Alliance Group has bagged four gold medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, achieving top honours for every cut entered.

Dairy demand on the rise

There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.

Fert use tumbles as prices spike

Fertiliser use in New Zealand over the 18 months is about 25% down from what it consistently was for the previous decade or more, says Ravensdown chief operating officer Mike Whitty.

National

Waikato dryer sold

An independent milk spray dryer in Hamilton, destined for liquidation, has been bought by a South Auckland goat milk processor.

Machinery & Products

Samasz sets its sights high

Since its arrival in New Zealand, Polish mower manufacturer Samasz, currently celebrating 40 years in business, has carved a niche…

Trojan keeps on going

The DR200 Trojan farm two-wheeler motorcycle was introduced over 28 years ago, when the engineering team at Suzuki New Zealand…

Still going strong!

The saying goes ‘if it ain’t broke -don’t fix it’, so it’s no surprise to see an old favourite in…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

'A complete dog

OPINION: It's not just a rural banking inquiry that farmers want. Freshwater farm plans are another major headache for farmers.

Action, not words

OPINION: The new Government may be farmer friendly, but it's not love, rather action that farmers want.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter