Gippsland - How Now Gippy Cow
February 2011 Edition
Reminders March
Soil testing and fertiliser requirements
- If applying your autumn fertiliser it is recommended that amounts used are based on recent soil test results past management of the paddocks.
- Apply fertilisers when there is less chance of heavy rain washing it into the drains and streams. Ideally this should be at least 4 to 5 days before a major forecast rainfall event or irrigation.
- This is a good time to empty your effluent ponds, applying the effluent to pastures and crops.
Establishing pastures or crops
- March is an ideal time for the sowing of pastures into well prepared seed beds. Use appropriate seed sowing rates for whatever method you are using (broadcast needs a higher rate than drill) and roll to retain seed bed moisture.
- Many paddocks that were pugged last winter and spring and not repaired may have thinned out. These can be oversown with an annual ryegrass, rape or perennial ryegrass to assist in increasing the productivity of the pasture in the coming year.
- Monitor newly sown pastures or crops for pest or weeds and treat appropriately. The most appropriate insecticide or herbicide to use for control can be found on the following web site http://services.apvma.gov.au/PubcrisWebClient/welcome.do
Pastures/forages
| Ryegrass leaf appearance rate | 12 to 20 days per leaf (depending on soil moisture on dryland farms). 10 to 12 days per leaf for irrigated pasture. |
| Area of farm to graze today | 1/30th to 1/36th of grazing area in 24 hr (irrigated) 1/40th to 1/60th dryland areas. |
| Recommended pre-grazing decisions | Graze ryegrass at, or near, three leaf stage (Note: graze to dominant species). |
| Recommended post grazing decision | Graze down to 4 to 6 cm residual pasture after grazing. This will ensure a quicker response to autumn rains, less soil erosion and less space for weed germination compared with grazing to less than 4cm. |
| Seasonal management tasks | Spray broadleaf weeds approximately six weeks after the autumn break. Repair or re- sow any badly pugged pastures. |
| Estimated daily evaporation | 6 to 8 mm per day without rainfall (hot days) |
| Average daily pasture growth rate | 15 to 18 kg DM/ha/day (South and West Gippsland, but highly variable). Those with irrigated rye grass pastures can expect an estimated 30 to 35 kg DM/Ha/day. |
Cows
- Ryegrass staggers will be more prevalent at this time of the year. Affects can be reduced by providing good quality supplements like silage or hay to the milkers, young calves and yearlings to dilute the amount of endophyte they are consuming on a daily basis. Avoid unnecessary stress and herding of stock.
- Be on the lookout for facial eczema - a type of sunburn (photosensitisation) affecting exposed areas of pale skin of sheep and cattle. If facial eczema is suspected, then call a veterinary practitioner. Affected animals should be sheltered from direct sunlight if possible.
- If using shot or sprouted grain be aware that it is more rapidly fermented and may increase the risk of acidosis and is more prone to mould growth that may produce mycotoxins that can impact on cow production and health. For more information see the article in this issue of How Now Gippy Cow or go to www.dairyaustralia.com.au
- Cows in late lactation have the opportunity to gain condition more efficiently if sufficient good quality feed is allocated each day. If your cows need to gain condition before they calve again now is the time to do it.
- It is a good time to assess which cows are in calf, make a decision about which empty cows will be sold and what will be milked through on an extended lactation.
Water Issues
- Watch out for blue-green algae outbreaks in farm dams as water volumes drop and as the weather warms up. If you have a bright blue-green paint-like scum on your dam, be cautious about using this water for stock or in the dairy. Isolate stock from the dam, provide an alternative water supply and consider testing the water to identify if the algae is toxic. If you think stock may be affected, contact your vet.
