Your weekly glimpse into research in action at Southern Dairy Hub.
Insights
It’s looking dry, but pasture dry matter is likely higher than it appears. Cows are content, residuals are good, and production is being maintained.
Measuring grass to better understand DM% and how this aligns with feed allocation and cow performance.
Future herd tracking similar to last year for milk production, with the Standard herd around 0.25 higher than this time last year. Both are holding.
A new silage stack has been opened, with DM testing underway to better track feeding levels.
Crops are getting close to canopy closure. Leaf size suggests it's a good time to assess nitrogen application, with plans to use the drone.
The farm team is enthusiastic about the arrival of a new effluent spreader, with training and measurement now underway.
New grass paddocks are ready to be grazed and will be nipped off as soon as conditions allow.
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.
If you have any questions about this week's HubWatch, please contact our team.
