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AGM 2022-2023 Report
April 2023 Management summary
March 2023 Update
Macalister Demonstration Farm update 568 24-11-22
| Key Numbers |
20/10/2022 |
3/11/2022 |
24/11/2022 |
| Farm Area | 73 | 73 | 73 |
| Grazing Ha available to vat | 73 | 73 | 73 |
| Renovated Pasture (Ha) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stock Numbers | |||
| Cows currently milking to vat | 285 | 285 | 285 |
| Cows currently not milking to vat | 17 | 15 | 15 |
| Total cows on farm | 310 | 304 | 300 |
| Milk Production | |||
| BMCC target below 250 | 169 | 141 | 171 |
| Milk solids per cow (kg/MS/cow) | 1.77 | 1.66 | 1.68 |
| Fat % | 3.98 | 3.66 | 3.91 |
| Protein % | 3.45 | 3.50 | 3.49 |
| Feed Budget | |||
| Average pasture cover | 2650 | 2850 | 2780 |
| Current pasture fed (kgDM/cow) | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Current concentrate fed (kgDM/cow) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Current demand per cow (kgDM/cow) | 18 | 18 | 20 |
| Stocking rate (cows/Ha) | 3.90 | 3.90 | 3.90 |
| Pasture growth rate (kgDM/Ha) | 55-60 | 50-55 | 45-50 |
| Pre-grazing cover (kgDM/Ha) | 2800 | 2750 | 2900 |
| Residual (kgDM/Ha) | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 |
| Round length (Days) | 29 | 29 | 27 |
| Farm Conditions | |||
| Soil temperature (degree C) | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Rainfall (MM) | 16 | 4 | 40 |
| Irrigation days this last fortnight (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Farm insights
The wet conditions in the last month have impacted pasture production and in turn impacted cow production. The cooler temperatures have reduced the pasture growth to 45-50kg/ha per day which has slowed pasture growth. The older pastures have reduced in quality and throwing up seed heads. The focus now is to quicken up the rotation. Pasture topping is now being done to manage the residuals of the poor-quality pasture. Rust continues to be an issue in some of the older pastures and those varieties that are more susceptible leading to reduced pasture intake.
The new Reward Endo5 pasture in paddock 1 will be grazed this round and has established well benefiting from the paddock renovation program.
The switch was made in October from using liquid Nitrogen mixes back to granular. Nitrograze was applied at 170kg/ha across the farm, and this has been followed by 80kg/ha of Urea three weeks later. The response from the granular fertiliser has been positive and the pastures are showing the benefits of this post grazing.
Drainage issues in paddocks 24 to 29 and 31 to 35 are impacting pasture growth and causing pugging issues. This has been identified as an area for improvement.
Silage has been harvested from the lease block at a yield of 680 rolls and will be feed tested.