23/11/2020

Week ending 23-11-20 farm notes:

FARM PERFORMANCE

Growth rate for the week was 53 kgDM/ha which is almost equal to our daily demand of 58 kgDM/ha  (including calves grazing on the milking platform). APC held at 2018 kgDM/ha.

Our pre-grazing target is 2850 kgDM/ha on a 24 day rotation.  We are offering the cows 18 -18.5 kgDM/cow/day.  We are planning to hold this rotation through to the end of the year when we start with crops.  As predicted last week we look to have a deficit coming up the feed wedge.  Pasture allocation for the coming week looks adequate to maintain intakes but depending on rainfall and subsequent PGR we have PK on hand if needed to top up.   

So far 60% of the farm has received a pre-graze mow to manage seed head (and another 20% mowed for silage) within the last 30 days.  We believe we will no longer need to mow to manage feed quality as we shift focus on providing enough quantity of feed to maintain production and BCS.  This also allows us to get direct feedback on residuals for decisions on supplement use.

We will be analysing low PW, high SCC, and cull cows over the coming week to identify 10 culls in early Dec.  These are booked in with our Greenlea agent who suggests poor overseas markets limiting price and demand. Cow prices are at $4.00/kg and are starting to move below the 5 year average. The overriding principal is to manage supply and demand on farm by planning early for culls to leave the farm as soon as we are no longer dealing with pasture surpluses.  Remember that space will become a premium as we head into Dec with sire bulls starting to come through mid-Dec.

Crops received 200kg of Smart Fert N at planting to deliver 85% of total Nitrogen over 90 days.  This reduced the need for a side dressing of N and ensures that nutrients slowly diffuse through the polymer membrane relative to moisture levels and subsequent plant growth. These crops are being monitored weekly for cutworm and white butterfly.

ANIMAL WELLBEING

Return Interval Analysis from MINDA shows 72% normal returns vs the target of > 69%.  This is an improvement on last season when we achieved 62%.  Both short and long returns have reduced and confidence in the auto-draft system and heat detection aids for both Tom and LaArni has played a part.  We eagerly wait PD results to see actual in-calf rates. 

BUSINESS HEALTH

Nothing to report

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Nothing to report

QUALITY WORKPLACE

There have been a few burning tractors around the district of late. Standard policy at Owl Farm is to leave the hood up – that way you remember to check it each and every time you take it out.  Motorbikes are due in for their 6 monthly service and the silage wagon won’t be too far behind.  With the Xmas break looming fast we need all gear in good working order for the start of the crop feeding season.

COMMUNITY

Last week we had a class of 5-8 year olds visit us from Leamington Primary.  They had a blast helping Tom feed the calves (that’s why we haven’t weaned them all yet!); touching, smelling, and tasting all the different food that cows eat; checking that the pulsators were all working; helping to hose down the yard; and of course, assisting the tanker driver to collect the milk.  Thanks to all the farmers out there that assist DairyNZ with the school farm visit program and to DairyNZ for making these visit possible.  It certainly is a great way to create greater awareness of NZ farming to the wider public. We have another 80+ 5 year olds visiting next week!

PLANNING FOR THE MONTH AHEAD:

• Calves weighed and vaccinated before moving onto chicory
• Monitoring crop pests
• Xmas parties

Cheers Jo + Tom