Owl Farm

Farmwatch

Region: Waikato

The dairy season has got off to a great start with above average growth rates and pasture covers. This has required less use of supplements and nitrogen saving time and money. To maintain this advantage it is important pasture quality is maintained to maximise the positive start to the season.
Leaving high residuals now will lead to lower metabolizable energy pasture in subsequent rotations resulting in lower milk production over the peak production months and through mating taking the shine off the great start to the season.
Using dry cows behind the milkers is a useful way to get residuals to the desired level. However, on some farms controlling residuals now may require dropping some of the highest pasture cover paddocks out of the rotation for silage. Farms with pasture covers over 2,400 kg DM/ha are now in a genuine pasture surplus.
Keep monitoring pasture growth rates and pasture cover on a regular basis. As feed demand increases and weather conditions vary keep monitoring to ensure pasture quality and growth rates are maximised.

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