Introduction
Latest pasture quality results: Crude protein ranged from 17.1 to 25.4% helping explain the swings in milk urea nitrogen we are seeing the vats; NDF from 44.1 to 51.8%, metabolisable energy from 10.8 to 12 MJME/kg DM and soluble sugars from 1.9 to 9.4.
We are continuing to graze new grass paddocks, which will offer as a full feed between am and pm milkings rather than 1-2 hours immediately before the pm milking to get them grazed off faster.
We're putting them onto paddocks full to reduce the risk of nitrate issues but given current in-shed feed allocations cows will not be going back to the paddocks hungry.
Targeting effluent applications on new grass and baleage paddocks.
SCC creeping up so did a full strip of all cows to identify clinical and subclinical mastitis for treatment. Herd test next week will be used to identify staph cows and do Johnes screening.
Maintenance fertiliser applications to start next week, N applications will be dependent on rain in the forecast.
Second scan scheduled for 5th March, heifers being scanned Friday.
Revisiting culling decision criteria and timing.
Our research is looking at comparisons between a 'Standard' herd (average BW Southland herd stocked at 3.2 cows per ha wintered on swedes) and a 'Future' herd (higher genetic merit cows (127 BW difference) with a lower stocking rate (2.5), less imported lactation supplement, wintered on baleage).
The Standard herd
Will reduce baleage and PKE allocations as cows graze through new grass paddocks.
Rotation out to 27 days and will lengthen further with more new grass paddocks coming in.
Monitoring FEI with increased intake of PKE.
The Future herd
Winter italian paddocks to be harvested for baleage this week.
Rotation out to 30 days will one new grass paddock still to be grazed.
