July 2010 edition
Monthly Reminders – July
Pastures
- Through July our region is at its most susceptible to frosts and cold overcast days. During these conditions ryegrass growth is at its slowest for the year. As a result grazing rotations will need to be extended to optimize the pasture performance. A grazing rotation of 45-60 days will ensure plants have grown to their potential. If you have a ‘wet’ farm you may choose a slightly shorter rotation length to manage your risk incase it comes it wet and you can not graze pastures, the shorter round length will help you stay in control of pasture quality in this case
- Allowing perennial ryegrass plants to be grazed below five centimetres will severely reduce their ability to produce large leaves, and high yields in subsequent grazings of fodder conservation.
- As we move into August pasture growth rates will increase, this will mean faster rotations to optimize quality. Using the Rotation Right tool is a simple way to stay in control and identify the true surplus as soon as it arrives on your farm.
Cows.
- Spring calving cows will be been dried off in the coming weeks. It is more efficient to put condition on lactating animals rather than while they are dry. If cows are ‘light on condition’ (less than condition score 4.5), try to rectify this before drying off.
- Make plans for ‘dry cowing’ which may include treatment of all cows, or only a portion of the herd.
- Watch for signs of acidosis in fresh cows, particularly if you are feeding high levels of grain to compensate for limited pasture.
- Track maintenance will help reduce lameness and foot problems in the herd.
- If artificially inseminating autumn calving herds, be sure to keep up your motivation for heat detection, an undetected cow has no chance of getting in calf. Do you have a plan for non-cycling cows?
- Make sure you have the necessary bull power! (one bull per 25 empty cows)
Young stock
- 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.
- If early weaning calves ensure they continue to have access to plenty of quality supplement and clean water.
- 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.
Farm 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.
- Think about doing a Taking Stock analysis for your business? A clear picture of what happened on the farm last year may help you make decisions and plan your recovery into the coming season. Private consultants, DPI officers and milk factory field staff are trained to work through these with you.
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.
People
- The most important asset on the farm! Don’t forget to look after yourself.
