Gippsland - How Now Gippy Now - July 2010 Edition
Reminders for July 2010
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Ryegrass leaf appearance rate |
16 to 20 days per leaf (depending on soil moisture and temperature). |
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Estimated grazing rotation length |
48 to 60 days between each grazing. |
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Area of farm to graze today |
1/48th to1/60th of grazing area in 24 hours. |
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Recommended pre-grazing decisions for all stock |
The target for maximum pasture growth and consumption at this time of year is close to the end of the third leaf stage of growth. |
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Recommended post grazing decision for milkers and young stock |
To maximise pasture production, do not graze pastures lower than 5 cm between the clumps when the cows leave the paddock. If post grazing residual is above 5 cm between the clumps, then consider reducing supplementary feeding. However, if the herd is grazing below 5 cm, add supplements. |
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Seasonal management tasks |
Do not graze pasture within 21 days of nitrogen application. Nitrogen application soon after grazing helps to minimise the risk of nitrate poisoning. Control capeweed and other broadleaf weeds in pastures before they shade out desirable pasture species. |
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Estimated soil temperature |
8 to 12 degrees Celsius. |
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Estimated daily evaporation |
2 to 4 mm per day without rainfall. |
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Average daily pasture growth rate |
10 to 18 kg DM/Ha/day across Gippsland. If all your pastures are short and your average cover across the farm is low, then the daily growth rate could be much lower. |
Calves
- Clean out and prepare calf sheds ready for the new batch of calves.
- Take time to train other people employed on the farm in the handling and management of both replacement calves and bobby calves.
- Do not allow antibiotic contaminated milk from cows treated with veterinary drugs to be fed to bobby calves you intend to sell for slaughter.
- Make sure all bobby calves, including those for sale, get a drink of good quality colostrum after birth to help with immunity against diseases.
- Treat calves that have scours with an electrolyte replacement program to avoid the possibility of chemical residues in any sold to the bobby calf market.
Heifers
- Don’t neglect your heifers this winter. Supplementing the heifers pasture diet with pellets or good quality hay (9 MJ/kg or better) helps to maintain energy levels in the diet; and provides adequate fibre, energy, protein and minerals to the growing animal.
Cows
- Check your cows’ condition score at drying off (4.5 to 5.4 condition score, see InCalf for more details) and again during the dry period to ensure they achieve their target condition score at calving.
- Watch out for nitrate poisoning when grazing forage oats, brassicas, annual or hybrid ryegrass or pastures containing capeweed or marshmallow.
- Do not put hungry cows on potentially high nitrate pastures. Instead feed with hay or supplement prior to grazing any pastures containing elevated nitrate levels.
- Track maintenance will help reduce lameness and foot problems in the herd.
Fodder
- Prepare a fodder budget to get you through to the magic spring day.
- Cost out fodder purchases. Make your decision not only on the cost of the supplement, but also the return you will receive from it. Base it on ‘best value for money.’ For example, hay may be cheaper than a grain on a cents per megajoule basis, but the hay may not return as much money via milk in the vat!
- Stick with feeds you know or understand or do your research on new feeds, and have a feed test certificate and fodder declaration.
Irrigation
- Fix any channel problems from last season. It’s also time to do maintenance on the centre pivot irrigator and on irrigation pumps.
- Spray farm irrigation channels to control unwanted weeds and grass.
- Clean drains and spinner cuts on irrigation bays. Drainage is important all year round for pasture growth.
Business
- Prepare your cash flow budgets using the announced opening milk prices to see what your financial position will be for the year. Make changes if they are required to enable the result to be improved.
Forward Planning for August
- Tasks for August include tree planting and reducing muddy areas on tracks and concrete surfaces.
Managing Wet Soils
- See the article in last month’s HNGC or contact your local dairy extension officer, field officer or consultant.
