App helps get best out of pasture
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Restricted pasture growth and milk production occurs in many parts of New Zealand as a result of dry summers and irrigation restrictions, according to DairyNZ.
These events are unpredictable and vary in their timing, severity and duration.
The impact of these events on milksolids production and farm profit can be minimised by the early implementation of proven strategies, it says.
The key is to have a plan and to make timely decisions based on the best available information.
Having no plan coupled with indecision, leads to unnecessary stress and lower profit. Whatever the summer conditions, the first management rule is to fully and efficiently use spring pasture before dry and hot conditions reduce the growth and quality of pasture.
Successful summer management depends on planning, monitoring and taking action.
In recent years significant dry periods have been a feature of summer farming in many regions.
Farmers in areas prone to dry conditions should aim have a well thought through contingency plan for the summer dry.
Every farm should have a summer management plan. This is a must, setting out key decision points concerning stock and feed management and the dates when critical actions should occur.
Regular monitoring of both the farm and wider situation is important, as it allows you to evaluate the options available for stock and feed management, based on the most accurate information. A weekly farm walk and keeping up to date with industry online information and the news will help achieve this.
Sensible management of Body Condition Score (BCS) is crucial to the protection of next season’s production. Mixed aged cows need to be at BCS 5.0 by next calving, first and second calvers at BCS 5.5, so pulling condition off them now for the sake of continued production makes no sense. It will cost you far more to put it back on later.
Monitor the BCS of your cows and heifers regularly (every 3-4 weeks), even if away grazing during summer dry periods.
Management options include:
Consider once-a-day milking
Alternative milking patterns, such as once-a-day (OAD) can help take the pressure off both staff and cows and are an attractive option.
Switching to OAD means paying close attention to mastitis detection and management, as SCC can rise to double that of cows milked twice-a-day and some cows may develop clinical mastitis
Be very careful if your bulk SCC is over 200,000 before switching to OAD, as you run the risk of grading. At the very least, your bulk tank needs to be able to accommodate a short term (3-4 day) doubling in SCC. Consult the SAMM plan
For those with problematic cell counts, milking ‘three times in two days’ is an option that can be used in extending rotation length and rationing feed. However, awkward milking times may outweigh the advantages for you
Use supplements wisely
Bought in supplements such as palm kernel extract/tapioca mixes and maize silage are an option. Seek professional advice before using unfamiliar feed mixes on your stock.
Supplements can be profitable providing you apply best practice management and purchase the supplement at the price.
Only purchase and feed out supplements if you have:
The immediate milk response is unlikely to fully cover the cost, but if feeding results in maintaining more cows in milk when it does rain the returns can be significant.
Use the milk price $/kg MS to determine the value proposition of buying feed to feed lactating cows.
The rule of thumb is - if the feed cost landed on the farm, cents/kg DM exceeds 5% of the milk price then question the likely profitability of purchasing the feed for sustaining milk production.
Look after irrigated grass
If you are irrigating, monitor soil moisture levels regularly. Consider signing up to NIWA’s Climate Explorer (www.niwa.co.nz) to help with your planning.
Have a contingency plan for when water restrictions are applied. One option is to fully water the best part of your farm, rather than watering the whole farm poorly.
Irrigated crops can provide a high return.
There are a few paddocks of deferred grazing still around. Graze these now, as both quality and quantity of feed will drop fast.
Have a plan to avoid overgrazing (grazing to less than 3.5 cam height).
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