Shorter days

The last of the fertiliser will soon be applied to get a final ounce of growth. Fortunately, the last few weeks have given farms an opportunity to replenish feed stocks with third-cut silage, and the straw season has been good.

Growth rates are still not adequate due to very variable weather conditions across the country in August. Even though we are in a small country, we have extremes ranging from excess rainfall to drought-like conditions in different parts of the country, affecting grass supply. It is important to manage this as best we can over the next few weeks. In a normal year, supplements would be introduced now to extend the rotation and build covers into the backend of the year. Maintaining milk production is crucial now as we try to make up for the 5-10 per cent shortfall this year. More importantly, if production falls now, cows will not recover it. On grass full-time, we should be targeting 0.11kg of concentrate per kilogramme of milk as a guide to supplementation. If we need to go significantly beyond this, then forage needs to be introduced. If we are already feeding a significant amount of conserved forage (>10/15kg), then our concentrate supplement levels should be 0.22kg/kg of milk as we are effectively housing the cows at night. Supplementation will also help improve body condition, which is a valuable commodity heading into the autumn/winter season.

While grass quality is dropping and farms may try to avoid feeding silage, as it is an additional task and could be scarce, it is still a lower quality replacement for grazed grass. However, it will bring consistency and dry matter to animals struggling to maintain production on grass that is 10 per cent dry matter one day and 18 per cent the next. If we can ensure adequate intake over the next month or two, then everything else will take care of itself.

Keeping an eye on heifer weight gain is also important to ensure they meet their targets, as they are also struggling with grass quality, supply, and the changeable weather. Supplementation might be required here to promote weight gain and maintain grass supply longevity.

As per last month’s article, it is important to complete a feed budget and secure the silage, straw, and feed needed for the winter period. Many farms are still borderline at best for feed. Take a sample of silage and test for nutrients and minerals, which will help prepare a plan for the winter season ahead.