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.

Winter crop feed study

Field day notes

• 15 March 2018
• 14 November 2017

Updates

• 4 May 2018
• 13 April 2018
• 6 March 2018
• 9 February 2018
• 19 January 2018
• 15 December 2017
• 1 December 2017
• 17 November 2017
• 3 November 2017
• 20 October 2017
• 5 October 2017
• 22 September 2017
  
• 8 September 2017

Background

The winter crop feed study is one of a number of research trials that will take place at the Southern Dairy Hub (SDH).

This study is testing 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.

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.

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

Visit the Southern Dairy Hub website.