6 winter feeding decisions to convert pasture into profit

10 May 2012

Farmax recommends 6 winter feeding decisions to convert pasture into profit

Farmax warned North Island sheep/beef farmers last month to guard against a false sense of security as they head into winter with high feed levels on farm.

The company cautioned farmers against complacency when it comes to making decision for winter feeding, as there are plenty of decisions to be made heading into winter even if covers are higher than normal.

Waikato-based rural professional, Brendan Brier, works closely with the Farmax team and says when it comes to making the right pasture management decisions prior to and during winter, there are six key areas a farmer should look at:

1. Ensuring quality feed for ewes over tupping
2. Getting the timing right when weaning cows
3. Timing of nitrogen fertiliser use
4. Using winter supplements
5. Considering your winter grazing options
6. Lifting spring stock rates to prevent a repeat of this season

“The first area to look at is quality feed for ewes over tupping – this is a critical factor to achieve an excellent mating result. Ewes should skim paddocks - residuals greater than 1,500 kgDM/ha - and avoid grazing dead material from joining to ram out or day 40. From 50 days after joining, the ewes can be used for controlling feed - provided their condition score is above three,” explains Brendan.

Getting the timing right when it comes to weaning cows is also important. This year was a great season for the beef cow as they were able to contribute to the system by controlling feed surplus and producing fantastic calves.

“One opportunity farmers shouldn’t overlook is to consider delaying weaning to allow calves to continue to grow well and maximise feed intakes,” says Brendan.

Due to the great growing conditions over spring, nitrogen is likely to be pulled or reduced as farmers’ plans this year. However, Brendan says farmers need to remember that timing is also critical. “Applying nitrogen to long covers over 1,800 kgDM will dramatically lower the pasture response rate. The best thing to do is delay applications until later once covers have dropped or focus on areas that have recently been grazed.”

On North Island sheep/beef farms, this season has seen a large return to the conservation of supplements, such as silage, balage and hay. “The plan was that these would be swallowed up by our dairy farming neighbours but this has been slow to eventuate,” says Brendan.

The cost of the feed in supplements is high, with the feed in a balage bale worth around 47 cents per kgDM before the cost of feeding and utilisation. “This is a high opportunity cost to recover, so selling first is always desirable unless a farmer is ration balancing,” he says.

“The final two factors North Island farmers should consider as we head into winter are: what winter grazing options can they use to get feedback under control, and what they can do to prevent the same situation next year?

“Farmax is a great tool to help make these decisions because it contains a strong database of historical prices and current trends,” explains Brendan. Farmax is a software-based system used by farmers and rural professionals for planning and controlling how to most effectively convert pasture into profit.

Farmax General Manager Gavin McEwen is currently addressing the topic of pasture cover measurement and monitoring with farmers across the country. He is one of PGG Wrightson’s key speakers in its “Converting Pasture into Profit” series currently being held across all major farming areas.

Gavin says, “The response to the message that better pasture management can be critical to overall farm profitability is being well received by farmers. The concept is not a new one; however there is definitely an increasing awareness of the need to measure and monitor pasture cover in order to get greater efficiencies on farm.”

To download a free, in-depth, technical article on this subject go to www.farmax.co.nz .

About Farmax

The science and technology behind Farmax was originally developed by some of the world’s leading pastoral scientists at AgResearch. In 2002, the technology proved its commercial viability; it was spun out of the CRI and the company, Farmax, was formed. AgResearch retains 50% ownership of Farmax, which is now a joint venture between the research institute, industry consultants and one of NZ’s largest family owned farming operations.

Farmax is a software tool used in both the sheep/beef and dairy industries. The system gives farmers and their rural professionals the information they need to effectively convert pasture into higher profits. The system allows for planning, monitoring and performance reporting.

ENDS

© Scoop Media