DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2017
MANAGEMENT // 17
way for expansion Canola meal can be blended in varying quantities to balance protein according to seasonal conditions. “We can dial down to minute quantities during winter and crank it up to compensate for the lower feed value of summer kikuyu grazing,” he said. The new milling and mixing system commissioned in May can produce a batch of 1500 kilos of precision blend feed in around 45 minutes. “It’s been really good – the best thing I’ve done,” Jason said. “You can blend to exact requirements and we make different rations for heifers, springers and calves.” A feed additive Betain sourced from Trouw Nutritional International has proved very successful in helping combat milk fluctuations triggered by hot weather. “We use it during the summers when a stretch of hot weather can badly affect production. Daily production can suffer by hundreds of litres during a heat event. It can really knock cows about, especially towards the end of their lactation.” “It’s an expensive additive, but well worth strategic use to keep production on a more even keel,” Jason said. Their pasture feeding is based on kikuyu summer grazing with annual ryegrass with a mix of chicory and plantain. Some lucerne provides end of winter – early spring feeding, but feeding needs to be carefully managed to avoid bloat issues. The rye mix planted around March provides quality grazing through to the end of October. Cultivation with a disc and
power harrow has proved most successful in getting fast crop establishment for early grazing. This year Jason tried an application of chicken manure applied at a rate of about 15 cubic metres a hectare and worked in before planting. “It replaced our normal pre-plant fertiliser and seems to have made a real difference. We’ve been very pleased with the result,” he said. The family has successfully used two centre pivot irrigators on the home farm for several years. Each covers about 25 hectares. “They provide fast, precision watering on undulating country. We use a lot less irrigation in winter, just enough to water the fertiliser in with applications stepped up during the hot summer months.’’ A pivot irrigator was customised for their second property, covering about 60 hectares in a half circle. The variable speed irrigator has nine spans with the last three hinged to wrap around an electricity pylon. An end gun fills in variations around the boundary. “We made up wire pushers so the wheels can traverse over electric fences. It’s been a brilliant set up for really efficient watering of our farming flats,” Jason said. The family farm consigns its milk to Parmalat in Brisbane, but their new dairy supplies expanding hinterland processor Maleny Milk. “We are still hoping for an improvement in milk prices, but at least with this arrangement we have spread our options with a local business supplying quality branded milk,” Jason said.
Hinge jointed centre pivot.
Jason and Lisa Rozynski with children Angus, 5 and Paton, 7.
Sonik – fast, reliable winter feed
Sonik – rapid establishment and strong winter activity Take the worry out of winter feeding. Sonik is the winter feed champion, with rapid establishment and strong growth rates over autumn, winter and spring providing the feed platform you need for great livestock performance.
SONIK IS AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL SEED MERCHANT OR FARM MERCHANDISE OUTLET
Sonik is ideal for over-sowing into run-out or damaged pastures, rejuvenating paddocks or for full cultivation as short term (1-2 year) specialist pastures. Sonik has excellent tiller density for higher yield, persistence and better ground cover.
For further information on Sonik, contact our regional agronomists: North & East Victoria, NSW, QLD: Adam Sheedy – 0428 132 096 Western Districts, SA, Tasmania: Bruce Hume – 0427 607 375 New feed mill facility.
Cropmark Seeds Australia Pty Ltd Freephone: 1800 889 039 Freefax: 1800 889 037
www.cropmark.com.au