Your weekly glimpse into research in action at Southern Dairy Hub.
Insights
The lower stocking rate (2.5 cows/ha) of the Future herd is working really well at the moment, with silage not needing to be fed in the paddocks at this stage.
Interestingly, pasture growth rates are lower than at this time last year, and we have had more rain this season: 378 mm since 1 June compared with 342 mm last season. We are certainly experiencing a feed deficit at the moment, with in-shed feed being increased for both farmlets and silage being fed to the Standard herd.
Looking at BCS data this week, we can see a higher drop-off in BCS from the Future cows than the Standards – an average 0.5 BCS drop for the Futures and 0.4 BCS drop for the Standards. The focus is certainly on the lower BCS cows and the younger cows around priority feed.
We have the pasture quality results in for the paddocks we tested at the top of the feed wedge last week, and we look forward to sharing these at our field day next week.
Standard Herd
Average BW Southland herd stocked at 3.2 cows/ha at peak, up to 180 kg N/ha and wintered on swedes.
Future Herd
Higher genetic merit herd (127 BW difference) stocked at 2.5 cows/ha at peak, up to 180 kg N/ha and wintered on baleage.
