5/11/2019

Week ending 4-11-19 farm notes:

• Growth rates are up again this week to 84kg DM/ha/day. Average pasture cover is on the increase to 2101kg DM/ha, with silage paddocks back in the rotation and a grazing area of 136.3 ha.
• We have had 1.8 mm of rain over the last 2 weeks, average soil temperature has jumped from 14.9 to 16.3^oC, and soil moisture has dropped to 31%. The last time soil moisture has been that low was 20^th April 2019.
• We have potentially earmarked another 2.4 ha for silage that will be cut if we get rain within the week. The last of the Sustain 25K was applied last week and we only have another 10 ha to do which will finish all fertiliser applications for the spring.
• The paddocks harvested for silage have bounced back better than predicted and filled up the predicted deficit in the feed wedge nicely. We are happy with good quality feed ahead of the cows for the next 3 weeks.
• Production is just under 1.9kg MS/cow/day. Cows have been busy at work now averaging 200kgMS/cow so far this lactation.
• Individual BCS was carried out by our certified BCS vet again. The herd averaged 4.4 with heifers averaging 4.6.  Nine cows were identified as having a BCS under 4 (they are all being monitored or are already on OAD milking). This is within the industry target of >85% of the herd being 4+ at mating.
• It is still important to monitor crops twice weekly to observe potential damage from Argentine stem weevil, leaf miner, slugs, springtail and greasy cutworm. Due to proactive action, plant numbers are still looking very strong in these earlier paddocks.
• Another dose of rain will boost clover growth so be aware of potential bloat issues. BLOAT OIL is now at moderate dose rate (14ml/cow/day) via the Dosatron. Please be on the look-out, this is a good opportunity for some in-paddock training with staff while doing paddock checks for mating.
• Seed heads are starting to emerge in the paddocks so it is important to maintain focus on feed allocation and residual management. We are aiming to leave 3-4cm height in the paddocks through grazing (or mowing) to maximise regrowth and minimise evapotranspiration.
• 85 R2 heifers were weighed on the 4^th November, averaging 333 kg which is 18kg above target for this time. Eleven heifers are under target and 6 of those require weight gains of 0.75 kg/day until PSC to reach target. The mob has averaged 0.87 kg/day since the last weighing on the 30^th  This information is useful when planning feed strategies with the grazier, especially if they are to remain in one mob. One bull has been removed from the mob to prevent boredom and in house fighting.
• Cows feel hot 10-15^oC sooner than we do and we notice they are starting to seek shade during the day. Offering 5m²/cow shade area is ideal and ensuring that more than 100L water/cow/day is available to ensure intake and milk production is maintained during the hot days.  Sprinklers have been started in the shed since the weekend for cow comfort. Daytime highs of 26^oC and night-time lows of 9^oC have resulted in average temperatures around 14^oC and relative humidity levels are still low around the low 40%.
• Feeding levels past week:
  • Milkers: 18.75 kg DM grass
• Be sure to put in your diary the next farm Focus Day on the 27^th Nov – we’d love to see you there. Topics include: season update; people priority part 2; crop care and future strategies.