Wet winter proves a farming challenge

Very wet and sometimes cold weather has been the norm this spring so far which has made farming a bit more of a challenge in the district.

The Stratford Demonstration Farm has fared relatively well with reasonably good pasture growth and a good feed situation so far. This has been assisted by the use of the covered stand-off shelter, having a high level of supplements available, nitrogen fertiliser use, a few less cows and the calving rate has been slower than last years very good rate. Milk production levels are also down on last year for the same reasons especially less cows milking.

August rainfall was around 150 per cent above average levels continuing the trend since March with rainfall for the last five months being 34 per cent above average.

Winter and August pasture growth has been more at average levels compared to the very good levels of the past two winters and September is pretty mixed at this stage.

On the farm this season so far we have been running a single farm one herd system. The herd went onto a 30 day round from September 10 with feeding levels of around 15 kg DM/cow/day of pasture and 2 kg DM/cow/day of PKE and milk production 1.8 kg ms/cow and 4.8 kg ms/ha. Pasture growth has reached 50 kg DM/ha/day so is meeting basic demand and should improve as long as the weather is not too cold.

Around mid September the farm will be split into a two herd farmlet trial with one herd on all grass feeding with no supplement and the other continuing to have PKE supplement fed and higher milk production while still trying to maintain good pasture utilisation and quality. Of interest will be the benefit of feeding supplement to cows being adequately fed on pasture including milk production, cow condition and mating effects.

Over the coming period management will be to hold the 30 day round until pasture cover is up to target and growth equalling demand and need it will change over more to managing pastures to maintain pasture quality. Also with calving not even complete the start of this seasons mating will begin with pre-mating heats being recorded, problem cows checked and mineral supplement needs assessed.