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).

Expanded farm summary for the week ending 3 July 2019

CO comment

The success of spring on your farm will largely be determined in the lead up to spring. Time you put into planning now will pay rewards when the first calf hits the ground.

Get your team involved. Sit down with your team and discuss what you want to achieve in spring and create a list of actions that will need to happen to achieve these targets. Discuss why these actions are important and decide who is responsible for the different tasks / responsibilities.

Capture this information on a white board and put it where everyone can see and reference it.

Set a realistic roster for the spring period that will enable your team to perform at their best.

You have a huge amount of knowledge in your head about what needs to be done but not everyone in your team has this same knowledge.

Create a checklist and get others to help you complete the tasks.

Remember to order everyday supplies for spring such as causmag, milk fever treatments and mastitis treatments.

Make sure your calving kit is organised so that it can go to the paddock with you or stays at the gate of the calving paddock.

Good preparation prepares everyone for the best outcomes. Take some time to prepare over winter for a successful spring and calving this season.

Farm Summary

Previous Weekly Summaries

2019

2018

2017

2016