Dairy NZ

During the 2009/10 season dairy farmers face two major challenges; one immediate: tight cashflow, and the other more ongoing: improving the underlying profitability of their farms.

As part of the DairyNZ campaign, DairyNZ will work alongside 28 farms across New Zealand who excel in cost control and maximising the amount of pasture eaten, two of the most important profitability drivers identified by DairyBase data.

These farms will provide a forum for dairy farmers to discuss tactical decisions at a local level, with host farmers describing the monitoring systems in place which ensure their businesses remain profitable.

Monthly on-farm field days will discuss key management decisions, along with regular updates through community newspapers and email.

Once a day milking

Once a day (OAD) milking is an excellent option to help manage cow demand for feed during dry summer conditions when pasture quality and quantity often limit cow performance...
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Dry summer management - culling cows

For summer dry farms, as soon as feed demand exceeds pasture growth the next season is in jeopardy as cow condition will be lost, especially the first calving cows in the herd...Read More

Nitrogen use going into summer

Perennial ryegrass plants need nitrogen to convert them from seed head producers back to producers of high quality leaf. Therefore nitrogen application during December and January helps promote vegetative tiller growth...Read More

Key fertiliser messages for 2009-10

The return from good analysis and advice on determining fertiliser applications is high given that fertiliser is one of the biggest single expense items in a dairy farm budget...Read More

Messages for the mating period 2009

Lower than average pasture covers during winter, leading to animals with low condition score, as well as tight cash flow condition characterise the 2009 season....Read More

• To read more about the Tight Management farms click here