Seasonal weather and the impact on feed

High temperatures had been hard on cows in some regions. Photo / Supplied to NZ Herald from DairyNZ

Extreme weather conditions over the past few months have led to an unprecedented demand for feed, says a feeds company.

GrainCorp Feeds general manager Daniel Calcinai said that due to "significant climatic and seasonal challenges on farms across New Zealand" they had seen demand for all feeds increase over recent months, from low cost feeds such as PKE (palm kernel extract) to higher value grain-based feeds.

He said high temperatures had been hard on cows in some regions.

"After Taranaki was declared a drought region prior to Christmas, we found that feed demand increased significantly there to keep cows milking."

Last month GrainCorp Feeds announced it was offering molasses and the feedback had been positive. "These blended feeds can help reduce FEI (fat evaluation index) results very quickly and cost effectively."

Calcinai said the recent rains in some areas will be making a positive difference to grass for farmers. "There is spring-like pasture growth in some areas, although the sugar content and energy levels of the pasture have fallen away somewhat."

He said that for many farmers "milk production appears to be rebounding and cows are again milking well and holding". He said maize crops were "looking good" but wet weather continuing into March and April could affect harvesting.

Calcinai said despite the rain, the drought had taken its toll on farms and recovery would take time for farmers in some regions.

Meanwhile, looking after cows is the No1 priority during the drought, DairyNZ South Otago consulting officer Mark Olsen-Vetland says.

Offering farmers some words of wisdom at the drought meeting in Tapanui last week, Mr Olsen-Vetland told them they needed to look after their lighter cows.

''The more we can do now is the more going forward to get back to normal as soon as possible.''

Farmers needed to work out the shortfall of dry matter and make a plan now, he said.

Some advice he offered farmers was to use the supplementary feed now and let the grass grow.

''Grass grows grass,'' he said.

He asked farmers to look at their culls, and the known empties, and consider their individual situation and if it was worth keeping them or not.

''Get the information as early as you can. Make decisions as early as you can.''

There was also the option of a tactical dry-off, but there were a few other roads that could be taken before that, Mr Olsen-Vetland said.

Supplements were important to be used now, as the response was going to be best now rather than later.

''This is when your cows need it. The price has gone up a bit but this is when the cows need the feed.''

Once-a-day milking or 16-hour milking was another path farmers could take, he said.

''Don't do it so much to try and save feed, do it to better look after your cows.''

The key was making good decisions now, as there was still a bit of time, and it would make a big difference down the track, Mr Olsen-Vetland said.

''Know your situation. Make a plan.''

- Additional reporting Otago Daily Times