Your weekly glimpse into research in action at Southern Dairy Hub.
Insights
Growth rates: Growth rates dropped this week, averaging 36 kgDM/ha. This is well below demand of 54 for the Futures and 60 for the Standards. While we're holding slightly higher covers, we expect these to come down as we bring paddocks that were earmarked for baleage back into the round. Soil temperatures lifted again this week to 16.7°C (from 15.8°C). Rain in the coming days will be very welcome.
Weaning of calves: This week we weighed the later born calves for weaning. Only 12 calves remain on milk as we head into December.
Hospice Southland calves: We sent four dairy beef cross calves to Lorneville this week in support of our local hospice. These calves were magnificent and it's great to support a local organisation.
Mating: We have finished our four weeks of mating to artificial breeding sires and have now moved to beef (Changus and Angus). Submission rates have been great and, while still early days, the returns are looking good too.
End of year function: This week we celebrated the year with the SDH farm team and their families, the SDH board, key partners and supporters. For many it was the first time they had dinner in the cow shed. It was a great event and a good way to say thank you to our farm team and wider SDH family.
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.
