For weekly farm updates visit the Southern Dairy Hub website.
DairyNZ is a partner of the Southern Dairy Hub, along with AgResearch and the Southern Dairy Development Trust.
The two first research studies underway at the hub include a study comparing the feed regimes of cows on fodder beet with those on kale, and research to validate DairyNZ’s Forage Value Index (FVI).
The FVI study will compare the performance of high and low FVI ranked perennial ryegrass cultivars under realistic dairy farm management conditions. Both studies are being led by DairyNZ.
Research
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Field day notes
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Farm Systems comparison
In June 2018 a farm systems comparison was established at SDH to address farmer concerns around wintering, fodder beet feeding and meeting nutrient loss reduction targets. This three year study aims to investigate the physical, financial and environmental performance of four farm systems designed around different crop type (kale vs fodder beet) and nutrient loss targets (standard vs 30% lower impact). System performance targets and input parameters are summarized in the table below and additional data on the design process and pre-experimental modelling can be found in the March 2018 Field day notes.
For weekly farm updates visit the Southern Dairy Hub website.
Crop Type
Kale (wintering) + in-shed feeding as lactation supplement
Fodder beet (wintering) + fodder beet as lactation supplement
N Input
Standard Environmental Impact System
Target: ≥1300 kg MS/ha (milking platform)
Target: ≥ 250 days in milk
Up to 250 kg N/ha for 2018-19
Up to 700 kg/cow lactation supplement (home grown first, use driven off pasture deficit)
23% replacement rate
No N applied after 10th April or if soil temperature <5 °C in spring
Target: ≥1300 kg MS/ha (milking platform)
Target: ≥ 250 days in milk
Up to 250 kg N/ha for 2018-19
Up to 700 kg/cow lactation supplement (home grown first, use driven off pasture deficit)
23 % replacement rate
No N applied after 10th April or if soil temperature <5 °C in spring
Lower Environmental Impact System
30% lower N leaching
Target: ≥ 250 days in milk
23% replacement rate
N applications – Sep, Dec, Feb/Mar
Up to 75 kg N/ha for 2018-19
30% lower N leaching
Target: ≥ 250 days in milk
23% replacement rate
N applications – Sep, Dec, Feb/Mar
Up to 75 kg N/ha for 2018-19
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2017 Winter crop feed study
The winter crop feed study tested different winter feeding options and their carry over effects into lactation. There is a growing concern about animal health and welfare issues when cows consume high quantities of fodder beet (FB), as the high-energy feed is deficient in some essential minerals (e.g. phosphorus) and low in protein. Regular updates tracking the progress of the treatments were published during the 17-18 season and a summary of results were presented in the November 17 and March 18 Field day notes.
Treatments
Treatments were chosen to demonstrate differences between two feeding strategies; ad-lib feed allocation (high) and body condition score (BCS) targeted feed allocation (target).
These strategies were implemented with both kale and fodder beet.
High allocation cows were offered 3 kg DM/cow/day baleage and ad-lib crop to achieve 1.25 BCS gain.
The target allocation cows were offered 4.5 kg DM/cow/day baleage and crop to achieve a 0.7 BCS gain.
Accounting for differences in feed quality and utilisation, cows were expected to be consuming 160 MJME/cow/day (high) or 140 MJME/cow/day (target).
This resulted in four herds of 80 cows each; high kale, target kale, high FB and target FB. Transitioning to crop commenced on the 31/5/17.
Following the winter period, cows from each treatment will be evenly dispersed between the four herds that will be running during the season at SDH. All herds will be managed under the same control decision rules until autumn 2018.
Feed allocation
High
(kg DM/cow/day)Target
(kg DM/cow/day)Crop type Kale
14 kg kale
3 kg baleage
10.4 kg kale
4.5 kg baleage
Fodder beet
11.9 kg FB
3 kg baleage
9.1 kg FB
4.5 kg baleage
Measurements
During winter
- Crop yield assessment; fortnightly throughout the feeding period
- Crop refusal assessment; two occasions during the winter feeding period
- Fortnightly crop and baleage quality
- Fortnightly BCS
- Blood samples for metabolic/mineral profile during transitioning onto the crop and through the winter
- Behaviour (lying time, standing time)
During lactation
- Colostrum quality
- Blood samples for metabolic profile during early lactation
- Daily milk volume and liveweight
- Fortnightly herd test (milk composition)
- Fortnightly BCS
- Reproductive parameters; submission rate, conception rate, in-calf rate.
- All animal health incidences during winter, calving and early lactation documented
Updates
Visit the Southern Dairy Hub website for more information.
