LIVESTOCK
January 2015
33
Hindsite Canterbury Branch NZ Deer Farmers Assn
Sponsored by Mountain River Processors Ltd
Hind feeding crucial to deer farm profits by Trevor Walton
PROTECT YOUR VALUABLE SHEEP FROM FLY STRIKE
To grow premium weaners, deer farmers must maintain their lactating hinds at a body condition score of at least three on a 5-point scale. This is the conclusion that can be drawn from a one-season trial by AgResearch that showed that when hind body condition scores (BCS) dropped from 3.5 to 2.8 calf growth began to suffer. This emphasises the importance of having high quality specialist forages or irrigated pastures available for hinds and calves in the late summer and early autumn, especially in dry summers like the one we are experiencing. “Investing in feeding hinds well during lactation should pay dividends,” says trial leader David Stevens. “Calf weaning weight is a major factor in determining whether a young animal reaches slaughter weight for the premium chilled market in spring and in ensuring that female replacements are ready for the stag at 15 months.” Fellow AgResearch scientist Geoff Asher says that when pasture covers drop below 1,200 kilograms of dry matter per hectare (kgDM/ha), hinds that start lactation in good condition can protect the growth of their calf better than lighter hinds. This is because they use their fat to buffer the calf from adverse grazing conditions. “However, after about 80 days of restricted feeding, even the hinds that were originally in good condition were not able to buffer their calves.” In the experiment, 240 hinds with a BCS of 3.5 were split precalving into two mobs. One was
fed to maintain condition at 3.5 and the other to lose condition to BCS 2.5 before calving. After calving they were again split, with some on restricted feed (under 1,200kgDM/ ha) and some on ad lib feed (2,400kgDM/ha). Calves were weighed every three weeks. Lighter hinds on restricted feed had the lightest calves at weaning (47kg). Their calves were forced to graze pasture early as their mothers were not lactating properly. On the other hand, hinds that were light at the start of the experiment picked up quickly if they were well-fed during lactation, producing calves with similar weights (around 57kg) to
December/January. It is all about the rate of loss in body condition,” says Stevens. “Once their body condition hits 2.8 (from Hinds and calves on dry pasture in late summer, the time when 3.5) hinds basically start high quality feed is needed for calves to reach their growth potential to turn-off lactation.” Monitoring condition of the hind at mid-lactation is critical, he says. This can be via binoculars in the paddock, but the best option is to bring a number Low Meat Withholding Dips of animals into the yards for providing Long Term Protection individual scoring, enabling an average to be calculated. A BCS chart can be found on the Deer Industry NZ website www. deernz.org. “A calf that is heavier has a greater capacity to gain weight during the autumn and winter than a lighter animal,” Stevens says. “Lightweight weaners take longer to finish and to reach mating weights, so incur greater Locally Owned and Operated cost and generate considerably less income.” Funding for the research CANTERBURY DIPPING came from AgResearch Fly & Lice Dipping and DEEResearch Ltd, the organisation that channels deer farmer levy funds into research. www.electrodip.com For more information, contact David Stevens, AgResearch Senior Scientist, Tel 03 489 9035.
those weaned off heavier hinds than had been well fed. This shows that pasture restrictions during lactation have a bigger effect on calf weight than the original condition of the hind. Providing pasture at greater than 2,400kgDM/ha during the high allowance treatment resulted in calves that were significantly heavier than calves on low allowances during lactation. This was regardless of the feeding regime pre-calving. This supports previous findings that feeding after calving is most important in species rearing a single offspring. “The messages hold true for later restrictions — like in
CANDIP
Nik Harrex Ph: 0274 326 243
TECHNICIAN POSITION An exciting & diverse position has become available to join our existing team for a full time Technician. Xcell is a reproductive technology company that encompasses all the major livestock species. The company is engaged in embryo and semen collection services both domestically and internationally. Xcell provides a full on farm veterinary service for large animals, complimenting the reproductive aspect of the business, for the species Deer, Cattle and sheep. The right applicant will gain skills appropriate to Animal reproduction procedures, along with TB testing, scanning, AI experience would be an advantage. The position would suit someone who has an interest in animal reproduction and does not mind traveling. Applications close on the 20th February 2015 CONTACT: The Manager, Xcell Breeding Services Ltd PO Box 165 Kaiapoi 7644 www.xcell.co.nz
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