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Target 10 Communicator
July 2011 Edition
Monthly Reminders
Pastures
- Rotation length should be quite long by now (approximately 40 - 60 days) to allow the pasture to grow back to the optimal pre-grazing stage.
- Do not back graze pasture which has been grazed within the last three days, if strip grazing large multiple feed paddocks use an electric fence tape to prevent cows re-grazing over previously grazed areas of the paddock.
- Why not boost your early spring growth with an application of between 30 to 60 kg of nitrogen per hectare in mid to late July. Most ryegrass based pastures will give a response of about 10kgDM/kgN at this time of year. Your best pastures will give you the best response.
Stock
- Check withholding periods on any drugs used on stock, and record the treatment date. This is especially handy if a cow calves early or aborts – records can be checked to ensure that there will be no residue contamination.
- Monitor condition of cows in the dry paddock and be aware of milk fever prior and post calving this season.
- Are the calving pad and calf rearing facilities ready to go? Once calving starts, things will be too busy to worry about it - get organised early.
Fodder
- Cost out fodder purchases based on a cents per mega joule of energy basis so you know which feed is the best value for money.
- Stick with feeds you know or understand and have a feed test certificate and fodder declaration.
