5/10/2020

Week ending 5-10-20 farm notes:

FARM PERFORMANCE

With a growth rate of 60kgDM/ha/day and a drop in cover to 2248kgDM/ha we are riding the growth that appears to come in waves depending on rainfall at the moment.  Soil moisture levels are tracking along the same lines as the 17-18 season which was the last La Nina event but have started the season drier. While we still have 14.5ha shut for silage and have planted 4.9ha in Kale (sown 5^th Oct) the wedge doesn’t show much promise of another round of silage coming through in the next 3-4 weeks. We usually make up to 55ha of silage.

Reducing soil disturbance is critical with moisture levels so low.  We direct drill all crops on farm.  Today we carried out germination crop examinations on our Chicory with Kyle from PGG Wrightson Seeds.  Establishment has been great. Today the paddocks destined for turnips will be sprayed with glysophoshate, then ensiled due to be planted on the 12^th October.

We will then drop 8% of our grazing area and endeavour to stay on a 24 day rotation on the remaining grass platform which is around 5.5ha grazed/day.  We have identified potential culls that will go before Xmas and we have PK in the bunker if needed to fill the gap as growth rates fluctuate through late spring.  Tom has done a great job using PK intermittently to maintain intakes sufficient to produce over 2.1kgMS/cow/day and achieve 1500-1600kgDM/ha residuals.  By ensuring we keep pastures in optimum growing condition and maintaining high utilisation we are ensuring our substitution is minimised and our milksolids response is high. Our wedge allows us to plan whether it is needed or not before residuals lift from a poor grazing effort.

ANIMAL HEALTH & WELFARE

Mating is going well with 60% submitted for an insemination after 11 days. 12 more CIDRs have been used which gets us up to 9% of cows this season compared with 15% last season.

Calves were weighed last week averaging 73kg/calf.  This is on target for their projected MINDA liveweight  gain. We have split them in to an 80kg + mob, a 70kg mob and 10 calves around 60kg are being kept by the shed. The 2 mobs are grazing 2 days per paddock, consuming 1kg meal and 3L milk per day.

BUSINESS HEALTH

Nothing to report

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

A copy of our open actions from our Farm Environment Plan sits up on our planning board all year round.  We have just undergone a renewed FEP with Paula and Sarah from Fonterra to ensure that we are planning for the best possible outcome for the environment.  While we have invested significantly in enhancing our environment we have an obligation to maintain the effectiveness of these mitigation strategies. Our goal is to tick off these on-going actions every year.

QUALITY WORKPLACE

Balanced and productive work time requires enough flexibility to support an overall work/life balance.  For Tom and Jo that means having time during the school holidays to take our families wakeboarding or on skate park tours and ensuring the smooth running of the farm.  We are planning for extended leave for LaArni in late summer as we expect borders to open and allow for her to get back home to family and friends that she wasn’t able to do during lockdown.

Another Pillar of a quality workplace is creating rewarding careers.  LaArni our 2IC has embarked on her L5 Ag Diploma studies this year with our full support. This is a great chance to learn from others, connect with people outside the farm and offer insights on the way we run the farm. Meanwhile Jo has completed her Sustainable Nutrient Management Course from Massey University.

COMMUNITY

Nothing to report

PLANNING FOR THE MONTH AHEAD:

• Pest monitoring on crops

Cheers Jo + Tom