General
Farmwalk data suggests an increase in average pasture cover but cows are suggesting there is not as much available as we are estimating from the plate meter. Quite a lot of dead in the base of many paddocks and pugging makes plating challenging.
Looking to heavy roll badly pugged paddocks to smooth them out.
Proposing to compare c-dax estimates of pasture mass with plate meter and visuals this week to try and identify opportunities to improve our estimations of available pasture.
Identifying paddocks for aeration once conditions allow - 2023 sown new grass paddocks are struggling so will be prioritised.
Empty R2's off to the sale yards next week.
Results back from Staph testing of cows at herd test last week - 55 animals with SCC greater than 250,000 were tested; 9 detected and 8 suspects; information to inform culling decisions.
Pit silage has come back at 29.6% DM, sample sent off for quality analysis.
Keeping a close eye on new grass paddocks in the wedge to time grazings during good ground conditions.Final scan scheduled for 5th March.
Standard herd
Will hold current levels of supplementary feeding but look to increase the amount offered inshed and reduce PKE in trailers in the paddock once we have straight PKE coming through the silo. Starting to get some trampling damage around the trailers.
Current supplementary feed costs - $3.60/cow/day and $17.70 milk revenue.
First culls to go as soon as final scan results are available.
One cow death of hardware disease this week.
Future herd
Holding current levels of inshed feed and will increase silage use to fill deficits if required.
Current supplementary feed costs - $3.04/cow/day and $19.20 milk revenue.
Next cut from the Italians will require tedding to ensure even wilting and higher DM for baling.
