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

• Field day notes

  • 10 October 2018
  • 15 March 2018
  • 14 November 2017

• 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.

  • 5 December 2018
  • 29 November 2018
  • 22 November 2018
  • 15 November 2018
  • 8 November 2018
  • 1 November 2018
  • 24 October 2018
  • 18 October 2018
  • 11 October 2018
  • 4 October 2018
  • 27 September 2018

  		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

• 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

  • 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

Visit the Southern Dairy Hub website for more information.