Latest News

12Dec

Time to shine—is your farm ready?

WORDS PROVIDED BY DAIRYNZ, IMAGE BY ANNIE STUDHOLME

Here comes the sun—well it’s on its way at some point in the next month or so.

The longer days and creeping warmth signal that it’s time to look ahead and plan for the summer months on farm. For some across the country, the climbing temperatures follow some extreme wet weather during spring, the impacts of which will still be felt while making summertime decisions.

In all forms of weather, good care of people and animals is always the number one priority. Careful planning and proactive management will ensure their wellbeing throughout the next season. The heat can be wonderful for mind and body, and cricket on the beach, but of course it also heralds a different way of managing your farm compared to the cooler months.

Over the past decade DairyNZ has undertaken science and research focused on developing tools and advice to help farmers with those key seasonal challenges.

We have pulled together a range of Summer Smarts tools and resources to support you and your farm business over the next few months.

Reducing heat stress

Cows can start to feel heat stress at temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, which many of us humans would find quite comfortable, rather than excessively hot.

But with the heat affecting cows within such a common summer temperature range, every region in New Zealand gets hot enough to cause heat stress over summer. Heat stress occurs when cows can’t get rid of excess heat, leading to discomfort and reducing milk production.

You will notice your cows breathe faster, graze less, drink more, and move slower in warm weather.

You can work with your farm team to ensure they recognise the signs and take action to prevent heat stress, including:

• Providing shade

• Ensuring a good water supply for drinking and cooling

• Adjusting milking times and routine

• Managing what you feed your cows and when

Adjust nitrogen use in summer

The heat in summer isn’t just affecting your people and animals. A dry summer will also affect the work of nitrogen-based fertilisers.

As lower soil moisture and increasing temperatures limit grass growth, the response to nitrogen fertiliser is also reduced. Therefore, it’s important to evaluate your timing and application to get it right, helping increase efficiency and minimising nitrogen loss from your farm.

The key tip for summer nitrogen use is to remember it is a growth multiplier. Application rates and timing should coincide with paddock growth from alternative species or increased moisture levels due to soil type or paddock aspect.

Considering the best milking interval

When we say flexible milking, you may automatically think about once-a-day milking, but it refers to varied milking schedules beyond the usual once or twice a day.

Adjust milking frequency according to changing conditions. It can help extend the grazing rotation in mid-lactation, reduce stress on cows, decrease work hours and provide more flexibility for your farm team.

Previous research has shown that, depending on how flexible milking is used, it can have minimal impact on production, while providing the benefits mentioned.

Consider another milking schedule that helps achieve your milk production goals, while gaining other benefits for you, your team and your cows.

Young stock management

One of the biggest improvements in many herds comes from an increasing focus on young stock management from weaning to first calving, since well-grown heifers are known to be more successful milking cows.

Your young stock have the best genetics in your herd. Giving them the best start to their productive life will unlock their potential, having a positive effect on their future lactation and maximising your investment.

There are a range of aspects to consider but focus on meeting weight-for-age targets and create a plan to ensure they grow at the required rate to meet them. The future of your farm starts with your young stock – keeping a focus on weight gain, worm burden, and mineral requirements gives them the best chance of high performance in the future.

Learn more at www.dairynz.co.nz/summer-smarts

 

Back to Real Farmer

Related

New spring barley launched to the New Zealand market

New spring barley launched to the New Zealand market

Cropmark Seeds are excited to release a new Spring barley to the New Zealand market that comes from ...

Read More
Spring Agronomy Update

Spring Agronomy Update

Another kind winter has had conditions similar to last year, but September and October weather can s...

Read More
New share farmers urged to do the maths

New share farmers urged to do the maths

Dairy farmers weighing up a move into share farming next season should take time to know their numbe...

Read More
Embracing Decades of Dedication and Growth

Embracing Decades of Dedication and Growth

Meet Ruralco's Methven and Rakaia Store Managers with a Passion for People and Progress

Read More
Caravan a haven for farmer health

Caravan a haven for farmer health

Affectionately known as “The Glob” GlobalHQ’s rural health caravan was the brainchild long time r...

Read More
The arable sector and climate change

The arable sector and climate change

One of the many things that New Zealand arable farmers do very, very well, is adapting to change. Ne...

Read More




Account Selector