Displaying items by tag: Pioneer

As I write this article the rain is pelting down outside. A wet winter followed by a normal spring is presenting a real challenge in many regions, resulting in the disruption of the normal cultivating/planting cycle.

With a very wet winter resulting in cows being stood off paddocks and fed more supplements the demand for maize this season is pretty high.

In little over a decade palm kernel extract (PKE) grew from being a little known by-product, to one of the most commonly used supplements on NZ dairy farms.

This season was among the most difficult for cropping I have ever experienced.

Maize silage harvest is running two-three weeks late in most areas because of later planting and cooler-than-average early summer temperatures.

The last few seasons seem to have delivered many challenges on farmers: the milk price is more variable, weather patterns are more unpredictable and environmental regulations are much tighter.

As a result of the last two seasons’ historically low payouts many farmers have become very cost focussed.

Recently there has been an increased dairy industry focus on getting more out of pasture.

Some talk in the marketplace suggests reducing maize silage growing costs by decreasing planting population.

Autumn rains mean pasture covers are looking pretty good in many regions.