By Brent Boyce, FarmWise
In the last 3-4 weeks the region’s dairy farmers have begun to find feed supply is dropping to around 50 per cent of demand in all our dairy areas without irrigation (Rai/Pelorus; Golden Bay; Murchison).
This has been a sudden change from the very wet conditions over winter and spring. Summer crops are light, or haven’t grown at all.
In some places winter crops have failed. Feed reserves are generally low due to the wet spring; and little or zero baleage is available for purchase. Most dairy farms have been unable to make baleage on the dairy unit.
Those farms with lower stocking rates or runoffs have been able to get some summer and winter feed stored. There is plenty of hay available. The irrigated properties are also struggling to grow enough grass – typically at 70-80 per cent of demand. Average pasture covers are falling below 1,800; with pre-graze covers at 2,300 or less. A large number of farmers are restricting milking frequency –not many left on 2AD. Quite a proportion are now on OAD. Cow condition is lower than desired on some farms; and production is falling quite rapidly in the harder hit areas.
Farmers are assessing cow numbers; culling of cows due to the dry is underway 5-10 per cent of some of the herds will need to be culled by the end of the month.
If there is no significant rain by the end of January this could become a significant drought situation. Our dryland dairy farms will need two significant rains close together to trigger significant pasture growth.
Things to do will include ensuring grazing rotation is greater than 30 days; reducing stock numbers strategically; wise purchase and allocation of supplements; and using fertiliser inputs with tactically.
