Displaying items by tag: FarmWise

Commonly I hear farmers say, "Why bother with low cell count when there are no financial incentives from my dairy company to maintain a low bulk somatic cell count?"

Given the tough financial situation, it is time for dairy farmers to rely more on pasture production and to plan how to get more milk from fewer cows.

A Northland farm consultant is concerned at the loss in cow condition over the last two months.

Pasture quality is crucial for achieving profitability, high milk solids production, cow condition score targets and good in-calf results. But what a pain it has been trying to manage quality during this season of stop-start growth.

Weather forecasters are predicting an El Nino weather pattern this season which could be the strongest yet, resulting in a drought similar to the 1972-73, 1982-83 and 1997-98 events.

Dairy farmers need to express their interest by the end of September if they want to join a FarmWise tour looking at wintering systems in the UK and Ireland.