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 16th 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 10th 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
|
Mawheraiti |
Kowhitirangi |
Average cover (kg DM/ha) |
1999 |
1973 |
APC (13 January) |
2111 |
1968 |
Rotation length (days) |
23 |
26 |
Stocking rate |
2.3 |
2.5 |
Percentage in milk |
100% |
100% |
Milksolids kg/cow |
1.67 |
1.65 |
Milksolids kg/ha |
3.9 |
3.5 |
MS/cow (season to date) |
277 |
262 |
MS/ha (season to date) |
650 |
564 |
|
|
|
N (kg/ha) year to date |
157 |
176 |
Current N application rate kg N/ha |
22 |
23 |
|
|
|
|
11 Jan |
13 Jan |
DM% |
17.0 |
16.0 |
Pasture ME |
11.6 |
11.2 |
Pasture NDF |
45.9 |
49.2 |
Pasture CP |
16.6 |
18.8 |
|
|
|
Target Intake (kg DM/cow/d) |
18 |
18 |
Supplement (kg/cow/day) |
0 |
2.4 |
|
|
|
Soil temperature (°C) |
18.3 |
15 |
Growth Rate (kg DM/day) |
19 |
16 |
Rainfall |
35 |
130 |
Conditions for farmwalk |
Rain, cold |
Pouring rain, very cold, flooding |
Notes: |
Farm dry. Been very hot and dry, lime truck busy, Lime going on 1 t/ha |
|
NB: pasture quality data are for 1 sample collected from each farm
Click here for the full weekly summary - 20 January 2021
2021
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2020
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2017
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2016
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