Dairy NZ

• Complete winter/autumn feed budget to set targets for average pasture cover (APC), cow condition and supplements
• Apply nitrogen especially if after a drought or dry summer, to encourage tillering. Refer to DairyNZ Farmfact: Nitrogen use after a dry summer: 7-4
• Monitor post-grazing residuals and aim to graze milkers to 1500-1600 kg DM/ha (7-8 clicks on the rising platemeter) or 3.5-4 cm compressed height
• If dry, avoid frequent over-grazing, especially on new pastures i.e. grazing lower than 1400 kg DM/ha (6-5 clicks on the rising platemeter).

Find more information on feed budgeting and wastage of supplement in the DairyNZ Feed Information Sheet and DairyNZ Facts and Figures booklet.

Pasture renewal

• Identify underperforming paddocks using the DairyNZ Pasture Condition Score Tool and use the actions suggested by the tool to establish a plan for each paddock
• Calculate the economic return from pasture renewal using the DairyNZ Pasture Renewal Calculator
• Plan to fill any feed gaps arising from pasture renewal e.g. supplements, nitrogen, cull early
• Aim to have new pasture sown by early March
• Select the right endophyte e.g. AR37 for Black Beetle and porina protection
• Select the right cultivar e.g. diploid vs. tetraploid, late vs. early flowering
• Do not mix cultivars with different heading dates in a paddock. Consider sowing the farm in cultivars with a range of heading dates (e.g. half the farm sown in early heading cultivars, the other half in late heading cultivars)
• Ensure endophyte in seed is viable (get the seed certificate) and minimise planting time and the time the seed is out of cool storage to keep the endophyte viable.