Your weekly glimpse into research in action at Southern Dairy Hub.
Insights
Nitrogen fertiliser as Ammo31 at 100 kg/ha has been applied to 92 ha by truck this week, with a further 48 ha scheduled for Friday. The plan at this stage is to continue with 25 kg N/ha every 28 days, as conditions allow.
During the farm walk this week, we observed notable stem elongation in the ryegrass plants, indicating the start of the reproductive process. On a positive note, the clover is beginning to grow.
Similar levels of supplement will be required this week to meet cow demand, but with growth rates increasing and N now in the system, we are hoping this will only be a temporary measure. Now that the paddocks are starting to dry out, baleage will be replaced with silage.
The farm team has been visually assessing BCS during milking and using this alongside the camera data to identify cows for priority in-shed feeding or reallocation between the two Standard herds.
The mating plans for the heifers at grazing and the cows have been finalised.
The three older mobs of calves were weighed this week, and weaning of those above 90 kg will start in the next couple of days.
This week, we completed the winter feed plan for 2027 and the spring regrassing plan. We will now schedule meetings with PGGW Seeds to discuss seed selection and with D Thompson Contracting to plan paddock preparation.
Farm System Description
Standard herd: average BW Southland herd stocked at 3.2 cows/ha at peak, up to 180 kg N/ha and wintered on swedes & kale
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.
