West Coast Monitor Farm

Westland has some unique challenges such as high rainfall and seasonal dry peroids which are variable across the region. Westland has now been collecting data for 10 years and continues to building on the information currently available.

This project funded by Westland Milk Products, DairyNZ, CRV Ambreed, ARL-Ravensdown and Rabobank aims to generate reliable pasture growth and quality, and soil temperature information, over the next 12 months, on two commercial dairy farms in Westland.

Farm walks schedule for this season are weekly from August to May, and monthly over the winter period.

Each week we will provide a Weekly Summary of information from the following regions:

Buller: Mawheraiti (Stu and Deb Bland), Westland: Kowhitirangi (Anna and Jeremy Hart).

Weekly Update as at week ending Wednesday 20 January 2021 

CO Comment

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas and New Year. Last week saw some unsettled weather on the West Coast with persistent thunderstorms and blustery winds. This rain should be enough to get the areas that were beginning to experience the consequences of decreased soil moisture levels a much needed boost.

Mating will be done for most by now, and it is timely to start thinking about booking in aged pregnancy testing. Talk to your vet regarding this. It may also pay to be mindful of securing space at works for known cull animals as the world is still experiencing the effects of Covid-19 which may have a flow on effect to our meat processors. There is no harm in being proactive with this.

We have some great events coming up over the next few weeks. DairyNZ is supporting Beef & Lamb NZ with a field day at Ikamatua on the 16^th of February about Facial Eczema. West Coast Vets will be there to give out some tips and tricks for identifying and managing this potentially devastating disease. Register at  https://beeflambnz.com/events/blnz-facial-eczema-workshop-ikamatua

 SMASH is being held in Karamea on the 10^th of February with topics including effluent, supplementary feeding, and variable milking frequencies. Paul Edwards a Scientist at DairyNZ will outline some of the practicalities of OAD and alternative variable milking options. He will also talk about the latest research on 3in2 milking at different stages of lactation and the effect of different 3in2 milking times at peak lactation. This information will help you to identify the options that will best suit your business and make the switch successfully.

Book your tickets at https://www.smallerherds.co.nz/smash-events/weighing-up-your-options-karamea-february-10th/

 Farm Summary

NB: pasture quality data are for 1 sample collected from each farm

Click here for the full weekly summary - 20 January 2021

 Previous Weekly Summaries

2021

 2020

2019

2018

2017

2016