It has been a good grass year so far for Charles, with just the right amount of rain coming at all the right times. This has generally been the case for many dairy farms this year, with excellent grass growth recorded so far. However, Charles is doing all he can to maximise growth on his farm. Yes, weather conditions play a major role in grass growth but soil fertility must be correct, or at least attempting to correct it in order to capitalise on the grass growth. Soil analysis under the Dairylink project for the farm revealed significant shortfalls for key nutrients on the farm. For the grazing block, only 14% of the area was optimal for grass growth based on soil pH, phosphorus and potash.
Looking back at grass measurement information, my grass growth is up on the same period last year. A proportion of this can be attributed to more favourable growing conditions this year, but better soil fertility is also playing a role. Last year, 80t of lime was applied to the grazing block and another 20t so far this year. Phosphorus and potash have been the focus this year. To date this year, I have used urea as my nitrogen source behind the cows with 25 units going on each time. At the end of May, I used a compound of 18-6-12 at a rate of 1.5 bags/acre on the grazing platform for one rotation and will use more of this in place of the urea for the next rotation to correct my paddocks that are low in P and K. This year, the farm has grown 0.3t/ha more grass than the same period last year.
The cows have access to 32ha on the grazing block, which is a stocking rate of 3.5 cow/ha. To date this year, I have taken 190 bales surplus grass from this area. Last year, my stocking rate was lower but fewer surplus bales came off the platform. A combination of improved soil fertility, new reseeds and ideal growing conditions have helped. I have been taking out paddocks for bales for the last two months now, with cows generally going around the grazing block in 15 to 18 days. My average cover per cow is the key indicator I use to determine if I can afford to take the paddock out. I don’t let the paddocks bulk up. If the cover is above 1,500kg/ha, it is eligible for bales – normally, covers of 1,800kg are baled so this silage should be high-quality, which will be useful to buffer cows as growth slows down later in the grazing year.
At this stage, all of my surplus grass has been baled and growth on this farm usually slows down when we hit August. My average farm cover this week is 700kg/ha which is just about on target at 195kg/cow. Good growth this week will probably push this above 200kg/cow so rather than taking any more paddocks out for bales and reducing the average farm cover, I have reduced meal down to 0.5kg/cow, split between a 16% nut and soya hulls. Yield is still holding up well.
The in-calf heifers, which are NZ Friesian/Jersey crosses, have an average EBI of €200. Traditionally, my breeding was based around the top EBI bulls, but this year I have used more Kiwi cross semen in an attempt to reduce cow size and at the same time increase the lifespan and management ease for the herd.
Early spring grazing can be challenging if ground conditions are wet on this farm. The smaller and lighter cow will help while at the same time producing more milk solids per head. A Kiwi-cross bull PSQ was used extensively across the herd this year with an EBI of €260.
My in-calf heifers range in weight from 380kg to 400kg. They are on good quality grass, with no additional feed going in. The 34 younger heifers have an EBI of €220 and are out on grass getting 0.75kg/head of concentrate. These heifers were weaned at 90kg and are due to be weighed again next week and will be hoping for a target weight of 110kg to 120kg for these crossbred calves.
Heifers are a growing cost on the farm, especially for me as I have been expanding. Last year, the herd increased from 97 to 110 cows, leaving me a high replacement rate of 27%. After costs are apportioned, it costs me €722 for each heifer I rear. This is with 18% of all farm overhead costs going to the heifer enterprise. My replacement rate is high for 2015 due to a heavy culling policy that year and the herd expansion.
Charles Clarke’s heifers are managed in two groups on an outlying block.
Read more
Management notes for dairy farmers
Dairy incomes may rise in the last quarter, says CAP expert
It has been a good grass year so far for Charles, with just the right amount of rain coming at all the right times. This has generally been the case for many dairy farms this year, with excellent grass growth recorded so far. However, Charles is doing all he can to maximise growth on his farm. Yes, weather conditions play a major role in grass growth but soil fertility must be correct, or at least attempting to correct it in order to capitalise on the grass growth. Soil analysis under the Dairylink project for the farm revealed significant shortfalls for key nutrients on the farm. For the grazing block, only 14% of the area was optimal for grass growth based on soil pH, phosphorus and potash.
Looking back at grass measurement information, my grass growth is up on the same period last year. A proportion of this can be attributed to more favourable growing conditions this year, but better soil fertility is also playing a role. Last year, 80t of lime was applied to the grazing block and another 20t so far this year. Phosphorus and potash have been the focus this year. To date this year, I have used urea as my nitrogen source behind the cows with 25 units going on each time. At the end of May, I used a compound of 18-6-12 at a rate of 1.5 bags/acre on the grazing platform for one rotation and will use more of this in place of the urea for the next rotation to correct my paddocks that are low in P and K. This year, the farm has grown 0.3t/ha more grass than the same period last year.
The cows have access to 32ha on the grazing block, which is a stocking rate of 3.5 cow/ha. To date this year, I have taken 190 bales surplus grass from this area. Last year, my stocking rate was lower but fewer surplus bales came off the platform. A combination of improved soil fertility, new reseeds and ideal growing conditions have helped. I have been taking out paddocks for bales for the last two months now, with cows generally going around the grazing block in 15 to 18 days. My average cover per cow is the key indicator I use to determine if I can afford to take the paddock out. I don’t let the paddocks bulk up. If the cover is above 1,500kg/ha, it is eligible for bales – normally, covers of 1,800kg are baled so this silage should be high-quality, which will be useful to buffer cows as growth slows down later in the grazing year.
At this stage, all of my surplus grass has been baled and growth on this farm usually slows down when we hit August. My average farm cover this week is 700kg/ha which is just about on target at 195kg/cow. Good growth this week will probably push this above 200kg/cow so rather than taking any more paddocks out for bales and reducing the average farm cover, I have reduced meal down to 0.5kg/cow, split between a 16% nut and soya hulls. Yield is still holding up well.
The in-calf heifers, which are NZ Friesian/Jersey crosses, have an average EBI of €200. Traditionally, my breeding was based around the top EBI bulls, but this year I have used more Kiwi cross semen in an attempt to reduce cow size and at the same time increase the lifespan and management ease for the herd.
Early spring grazing can be challenging if ground conditions are wet on this farm. The smaller and lighter cow will help while at the same time producing more milk solids per head. A Kiwi-cross bull PSQ was used extensively across the herd this year with an EBI of €260.
My in-calf heifers range in weight from 380kg to 400kg. They are on good quality grass, with no additional feed going in. The 34 younger heifers have an EBI of €220 and are out on grass getting 0.75kg/head of concentrate. These heifers were weaned at 90kg and are due to be weighed again next week and will be hoping for a target weight of 110kg to 120kg for these crossbred calves.
Heifers are a growing cost on the farm, especially for me as I have been expanding. Last year, the herd increased from 97 to 110 cows, leaving me a high replacement rate of 27%. After costs are apportioned, it costs me €722 for each heifer I rear. This is with 18% of all farm overhead costs going to the heifer enterprise. My replacement rate is high for 2015 due to a heavy culling policy that year and the herd expansion.
Charles Clarke’s heifers are managed in two groups on an outlying block. Read more
Management notes for dairy farmers
Dairy incomes may rise in the last quarter, says CAP expert
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