Farm insights
Spring activity is well underway on farm now.
Pasture growth is excellent and growing at 50-55kg/DM/day.
Older varieties and less rust tolerant pastures are showing rust spores.
Whilst there is very little insect pressure to report there are the usual weed issues to be addressed like Capeweed, docks, thistles.
Summer crop paddocks have been selected. Four hectares will be sown to a mix of Millet/Pasja II Leafy Turnip. A couple of paddocks will be oversown with Reward Endo5 perennial ryegrass.
Currently pastures have been sprayed with Liquid Nitrogen and the economics of using liquid over granular is being addressed.
No paddocks have been irrigated as yet.
| Key Numbers |
29/8/2022 |
15/9/2022 |
| Farm Area | 73 | 73 |
| Grazing Ha available to vat | 59 | 59 |
| Renovated Pasture (Ha) | 14 | 14 |
| Stock Numbers | ||
| Cows currently milking to vat | 180 | 240 |
| Cows currently not milking to vat | 15 | 25 |
| Total cows on farm | 339 | 330 |
| Milk Production | ||
| BMCC target below 250 | 182 | 110 |
| Milk solids per cow (kg/MS/cow) | 1.37 | 1.70 |
| Fat % | 3.89 | 3.93 |
| Protein % | 3.83 | 3.58 |
| Feed Budget | ||
| Average pasture cover | 2550 | 2850 |
| Current pasture fed (kgDM/cow) | 12 | 15 |
| Current concentrate fed (kgDM/cow) | 6 | 6 |
| Current demand per cow (kgDM/cow) | 18 | 21 |
| Stocking rate (cows/Ha) | 3.05 | 4.07 |
| Pasture growth rate (kgDM/Ha) | 40 | 50-55 |
| Pre-grazing cover (kgDM/Ha) | 2800 | 3100 |
| Residual (kgDM/Ha) | 1500 | 1500 |
| Round length (Days) | 50 | 35 |
| Farm Conditions | ||
| Soil temperature (degree C) | 13 | 14 |
| Rainfall (MM) | 26 | 4 |
| Irrigation days this last fortnight (days) | 0 | 0 |