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AS WE LOOK ahead to what 2025 will bring for New Zealand’s dairy industry, there is plenty of reason for positivity.
The trajectory in 2024 and forecasting for dairy pricing has been encouraging, while at the same time interest rates and other costs have eased, all meaning better margins for farmers.
reduced pesticide use), modified products may sell at a premium.
Published by Rural News Group Ltd. Unless directly attributed, opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Rural News Group and/or its directors or management. Getting the Basics Right is published annually.
That’s not just good news for farmers and processors, it’s good for the country when considering that one in every four export dollars that New Zealand earns is generated by dairy. The sector retains the sheer scale that can improve New Zealand’s economic fortunes.
But of course, there’s still plenty of challenges facing farmers and the broader industry; including challenges which may continue to call into question the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Genetic technologies, such as genetic modification (GM) or gene editing, may represent the next big opportunity for innovation by New Zealand’s primary sector. The Government is embarking on reforms in the months ahead that will likely see greater use of GM and gene editing in industries such as food production, or at least more freedom to trial these technologies in real-life conditions.
Talk of these technologies tends to polarise people, and I understand there are genuine concerns about what greater use will mean for the industry, its markets and customers. That is precisely why we need to be rigorous in testing those modified plants or other organisms that have potential to enhance productivity, animal health and welfare, or reduce environmental impacts.
Some recent analysis suggested risks of sizeable drops in income for New Zealand from the loss of our “GM-free status” (though of course we need to acknowledge that products sourced from GM and gene editing are used and consumed in NZ every day). On the flipside, others argue that where consumers see a benefit (such as
In some cases, farmers and growers overseas have already reaped the rewards of modified products in the form of increased crop yields and reduced inputs such as pesticide use. New Zealand industries will clearly need to do their own due diligence on what it would mean for their export markets and customers and make decisions accordingly.
There has also been an argument that coexistence of GM and non-GM farming and growing operations in New Zealand would be impossible. Published research on this coexistence issue is in the pipeline, but the central message will be that coexistence is achievable with appropriate planning and communication within farming communities.
The work AgResearch is doing with our highly valued commercial partners includes enhancing ryegrass and white clover by introducing genes from other plants.
The High Metabolisable Energy (HME) ryegrass – with increased fat content – has potential to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from livestock farming, in addition to providing increased nutrition and animal productivity. The HighCondensed Tannins White Clover is also expected to reduce methane emissions from livestock while also lowering the incidence of bloat in livestock.
Ultimately, it will be for the industries to consider if the value proposition is right to introduce the new products and technologies. The scientists will be there to support them on the journey, whatever the outcome. • Stu Hall is the deputy chief executive of AgResearch
smaXtec’s unique bolus technology helps detect potential diseases early, enabling preventive action to improve health and reproduction outcomes.
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Unlike traditional monitoring systems, smaXtec provides accurate insights from within your cow. A bolus in the reticulum collects data on inner body temperature, drinking cycles, water intake, rumination, and activity, sending actionable alerts to your smartphone or PC.
This data helps detect potential diseases before visible symptoms appear, enabling early intervention, reducing treatment costs, maintaining stable milk yields, and boosting profitability. With smaXtec you can also enhance heat detection, boost reproduction rates and optimise the calving process.
smaXtec has already made a difference for many dairy farmers. Hayden Lawrence, who runs a 430-cow farm in Taranaki, reports:
“Using smaXtec has improved heat detection, reduced mastitis cases by 64%, and cut costs by 56%. It also helped manage calving, calf health, and fresh calvers. We spend five minutes reviewing the data trends for heat, sickness, and health before each milking, saving us time and becoming a key part of our daily routine.”
PASTURE
Deferred grazing a pasture renewal tool
SOIL
Farming, fertilisers and climate change
MAIZE / FEED
Use maize silage to grow grass
MATING MANAGEMENT
Making accurate breeding decisions
CALVING
Getting heifers milk shed-savvy before calving
MILK QUALITY
Does colostrum colour indicate quality?
ANIMAL HEALTH
Wise words on summer management
EFFLUENT / WATER MANAGEMENT
Right
at the right time
AGRIBUSINESS
Deferred grazing as a pasture renewal tool
DEFERRED GRAZING IS attracting increasing interest from farmers seeking to rejuvenate runout pastures. It is cheap, easy to implement and has other benefits, such as providing drought feed at the end of summer and helping control pasture quality at farm scale.
Farmers often ask scientists like myself whether deferred grazing is appropriate for their farm and how to implement it to realise the benefits. Below, based on our extensive research working with farmers and industry groups, we define deferred grazing and outline decision criteria to help you decide if deferred grazing is suitable for your farm.
WHAT IS DEFERRED GRAZING?
Deferred grazing is the practice of removing livestock from a pasture to enable the desirable pasture species to reseed, the energy reserves to be replenished and the root mass and depth to increase.
This rejuvenates pastures through new seedling establishment and increased tiller production of desirable pasture species, leading to greater pasture production for up to several
years after the deferred period. For ryegrass-based pastures, the last grazing is typically in October/ November and the pasture is grazed again in late January/February. The length of the rest period varies between paddocks, farms, regions and years. Note the focus is on the reseeding period when pasture rejuvenation is the aim. Extended grazing intervals or stock-piling feed at other times of the year will not result in the same rejuvenation benefits.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PASTURE CAN BENEFIT FROM DEFERRED GRAZING?
Consider the following points
Katherine Tozer
Deferred grazing is cheap, easy to implement and has other benefits.
Katherine Tozer ■
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to determine if deferred grazing is suitable for your farm system:
Paddock selection
• For first timers, aim for one paddock and manage it well. This way, you can learn from your experience and fine tune how you implement deferred grazing in future years.
• Is the fertility adequate to promote ryegrass and the growth of other desirable pasture species? Low soil fertility may encourage the growth of less palatable species (e.g. Yorkshire fog, browntop).
• Are weedy low fertility species, such as yellow bristle grass, kikuyu or browntop a problem? If so, a cropping and short-term pasture programme may be required to enable the weeds to be controlled. Deferred grazing may not be suitable.
• Is/can the paddock be adequately subdivided, with access to water, so that livestock can be managed to graze and trample the high covers at the end of the deferred period?
• Is the tiller/plant population of desirable species sufficient? Research has shown that pastures can recover from low tiller populations of desirable species in autumn. Rather than assessing a pasture when it is at its worst, assess the pasture in spring, when growth is at its best.
• When assessing the pasture in spring, assess your pasture mid-round, when leaf material is present and plants
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Difference in the roots of perennial ryegrass plants from a glasshouse study simulating standard rotational grazing (left) and deferred grazing (right).
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• To be conservative, we suggest you don’t defer if the desirable grass species content comprises less than 50% of total dry matter (DM). If the content of desirable grass species is high (e.g. over 80% of total DM), you are unlikely to realise a substantial rejuvenation benefit.
CLOSING DATE
Typically, the last grazing is in October / early November. Graze the pasture hard. The timing of closing varies between paddocks, years, farms and regions.
Walk your pastures so you know when productive pasture species are going from being green and leafy to producing stem and seedhead, and don’t graze.
Research has shown that facial eczema spore counts in autumn are lower in pastures that have been deferred than pastures that have not been deferred.
If you want to defer to enable white clover to reseed, the closing date will typically be later in the season –possibly in late December.
OPENING DATE
Can you walk through the paddock and the seeds of the productive species fall into your Red Bands? It is time to open the gate.
Farmers typically end the deferred period between mid-January and March depending on when they need the feed, the season and the region.
Don’t open too late. Think the same as if you were drilling a pasture. You need to graze in time to remove the high covers and allow the seedlings to
germinate and new tillers to grow.
If you graze too late, the high covers will shade and outcompete the new grass and you may suppress your autumn and winter pasture production.
GRAZING MANAGEMENT AT THE END OF THE DEFERRED PERIOD
For dairy, you should strip graze. For beef and sheep, you should strip graze or mob stock.
Aim for 50% utilisation and thoroughly trample the residual herbage. The low utilisation allows stock to selectively graze the higher quality feed and avoid the rank, less palatable feed.
Thorough trampling ensures good
you tug the seedlings firmly, are they pulled out?
Graze lightly but don’t leave it too long. The new pastures often grow fast, you may need additional stock to graze the extra growth. And take care not to overgraze.
Research has shown that facial eczema spore counts in autumn are lower in pastures that have been deferred than pastures that have not been deferred.
If you have further questions about deferred grazing, you can find a handbook and videos on the AgResearch website; DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand also have resources on their websites.
• Katherine Tozer is an AgResearch senior scientist.
Continue protecting your herd’s performance
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It’s the simple way to pinpoint unwanted diseases such as BVD, Johne’s and Staph.aureus mastitis, ultimately minimising the impact on your herd’s performance. And, the benefits continue, with the ability to check the herd’s pregnancy status 28 days after mating or identify animals producing A2/A2 milk.
So, continue to protect your herd’s performance with animal health testing.
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Profit depends on the chosen plant species, cultivar
CHOOSING THE RIGHT plant species and cultivar is essential for optimising pasture life, feed availability, and your profit. Match these to your farm’s specific conditions like climate, soil, and pests.
Even though perennial ryegrass and white clover dominate dairy pastures, other species can be vital in unique situations. If your pastures have sparse ryegrass and
clover due to damage, a proven approach suggests assessing each paddock’s damage level. Ensure you use certified, treated seeds and sow them within a month of purchase to guarantee their quality. Storing seeds? Keep them in a cool, dry place and avoid storing them from one season to the next.
Plant species and cultivar play a major role in maximising the life of
pasture, the amount of feed available and ultimately profit from every hectare of pasture sown.
The best results come from matching species and cultivar to the farm system, climate, soils and pests. Consider animal performance, persistency requirements and the environment when selecting.
While perennial ryegrass and white clover are the cornerstone of dairy
pastures, several other species play an important role in different circumstances.
PASTURE DAMAGE MANAGEMENT
Many New Zealand farmers are managing pastures that have less than desired density of ryegrass and clover. This can be as a result of treading damage in winter, or in the summer insect and drought.
For pasture damage during winter, research carried out in Taranaki during the 1980s found that oversowing and undersowing ryegrass seed into damaged pastures increased dry matter production by 1-2 t/ha in year one and year two following sowing.
A DairyNZ led industry group comprising researchers, seed industry and contractors have agreed on an approach for farmers faced with this situation. This group recommends farmers carry out a paddock by paddock assessment of the damage by ranking paddocks one to five based on the extent of damage. They should then use the tools suggested actions to establish a plan for each paddock.
CERTIFIED SEED
To ensure good quality seed, use certified and treated seed and ensure the seed is sown within a month of it being purchased.
Like having a spare pair of hands
In all cases certified seed should be purchased to ensure the seed is of the specified cultivar, assured quality and purity.
All certified seed has a Seed Analysis Certificate, which is available from your seed supplier on request.
Key points to look for on this are:
• Identification - the cultivar tested and merchant reference number, also known as seed line number (on side of seed sack).
• When tested - date of test, which should be within six months of sale.
• Standard tests - purity (% pure seed, contaminants); germination (% live seed, hard seed in legumes,
Plant species and cultivar play a major role in maximising the life of pasture.
abnormals); bulk search (contaminants in very low levels, not enough to show in purity).
• Other tests - endophyte % in perennial ryegrass (either seed or seedlings grow outs). Industry levels are set at a minimum of 70% endophyte in ryegrass seed.
TREATED SEED
Seed treatment can be seen as an ‘insurance policy’ against paddock failure.
Reduces the risk of losing a pasture or crop at establishment by protecting newly-emerged seedlings from pests and disease.
Seed treatment lasts for approximately six weeks post-sowing, which is the period that young plants are most vulnerable to insect attack and disease.
Treatment also provides good
control of low to moderate insect pressure - a wider control programme is needed where increases are high.
STORING SEED ON FARM
Seeds are living entities that can deteriorate over time and this particularly applies to endophyte levels in ryegrass seed.
On the farm, store seeds in a cool, dry place and sow seeds within one month of uplifting seeds. Do not keep seeds from one season to another.
SEED BED PREPARATION
Establishing a healthy pasture requires attention to several factors: sowing date, seedbed preparation, sowing depth, and perennial ryegrass sowing rate. Your sowing date can affect the establishment and yield of your pasture, with early sowing in dry autumns boosting establishment and
yield. A well-prepared seedbed, fine and firm without weeds, ensures ideal conditions for plant growth. When sowing, aim for a depth of 5-10mm for ryegrass and white clover seed mixes to guarantee optimal establishment. As for ryegrass sowing rates, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all; both standard and lower rates can be effective. Lastly, consider the method you use for sowing to maximise results.
There are a number of key steps to consider including sowing date, seedbed quality, sowing depth and seed ground coverage.
SOWING DATE
Sowing date affects pasture establishment, yield and persistence. It is particularly important in summer-dry areas, as sowing early allows individual plants more time to develop and reach over 20 tillers
Perennial ryegrass and white clover are the cornerstone of dairy pastures.
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in size, prior to the following (potentially dry) summer. Later sowing in cooler autumn conditions means slower establishment due to the cooler temperatures, and greater potential to pug and damage new pastures in winter and spring.
SOWING EARLY IN THE DRY AUTUMNS
Sowing early (after 25 February) in dry conditions with treated seed is easier for contractors, means faster establishment and more yield, and sets up better pasture persistence. In a recent trial in Cambridge, seed with novel endophyte (NEA2) sown in late February remained in the ground for over 6 weeks without rain. Treatments sowed before the rain maintained a high endophyte level and grew 2t DM/ha more than seed sown post-rain (5.8 t DM/ha versus 3.8t) from May to October. At the Forage Value Index value of 38c/kg DM for cool season pasture, that’s $760/ha value added by sowing earlier.
SEEDBED PREPARATION
The goal is to produce a fine, firm,
weed-free seedbed, ideal for plants to establish in.
One factor often lacking is consolidation, which conserves moisture and makes it possible to achieve the right sowing depth.
Research in the Manawatu showed sowing with a V-roller into a wellconsolidated seedbed gave better white clover establishment than a poorly consolidated seedbed.
SOWING DEPTH
Sow ryegrass and white clover seed mixes at a depth of 5-10mm to get the best establishment.
White clover seed is small and sensitive to depth, and establishes much faster at this depth.
Ryegrass is less sensitive to sowing depth, still establishing well when sown at 20mm. At a depth of 50mm neither species establishes well.
The exception to sowing shallow is in dry conditions, when it is sometimes better to drill seed a little deeper into better soil moisture. In these conditions white clover may struggle.
A consolidated seed bed is critical
to allow good depth control with a seed drill. In a soft seedbed wheel tracks are pushed down, and coulter depths vary, leading to both uneven seed depth and establishment.
PERENNIAL RYEGRASS SOWING RATE
There is no ‘correct’ ryegrass seed sowing rate for New Zealand farms. Both a standard and lower perennial ryegrass sowing rate can work well, with the advantages of each outlined below.
Establishing a healthy pasture requires attention to several factors.
Sowing date affects pasture establishment, yield and persistence
ALIGN IS ONE SMART (AND DENSE) GRASS!
• High annual yields
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Align is a high performance tetraploid perennial ryegrass that adapts intelligently to changing soil conditions. Align is a smart grass that remains dense during wet winter and early spring conditions then becomes bigger, broader and more upright as the season get hotter. This adaptability ensures year round productivity, delivering resilient, high-quality drymatter for modern production systems.
Farming, fertilisers and climate change
MINIMISING HUMAN-INDUCED EROSION and maintaining good soil quality are essential for maintaining soil ecosystem services such as nutrient and water buffering, productive capacity, assimilating waste and minimising impacts of sediment and other contaminants on waterbodies.
The loss of sediment from land and generation of suspended sediment in stream flow is the most problematic contaminant in surface waters.
The soil erosion from our mountainous and hilly landscape, heavy rainfall & severe weather events (such as Cyclone Gabrielle) and unsustainable land use practices resulting in sedimentation of our waterways contribute to poor water quality and interferes with aquatic life, as well as affecting the backbone of our country’s economy – farming. So, preventing current and potential sedimentation is a key to both economic and environmental sustainability.
Sediment reduction is important to ensure that soil can support functions like agriculture, flood mitigation, water infiltration and storage, nutrient and carbon storage, plant growth including biological diversity.
For Maori, soil has mana and mauri, and people are strongly connected to soil through their whakapapa (ancestry).
Climate change is expected to increase sediment loss: Hotter drier conditions make soils more susceptible to wind erosion; Increased intense rainfall events triggering surficial erosion and shallow landslides; Peak stream flows may increase stream bank erosion as well.
New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory is the official annual report of all human-induced emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in New Zealand. Emissions are expressed as a quantity of carbon dioxide equivalent and must include all greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) is a measure for comparing different greenhouse gases in a common unit.
Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the three main greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide are considered long lived gases because significant amounts remain in the atmosphere for a long time. Whereas methane is a relatively short-lived gas and that breaks down within a few decades.
Globally, agriculture is the largest source of anthropogenic
N2O emissions, accounting for an estimated 56% - 81% of the total. In New Zealand, agriculture accounts for an estimated 94% of the anthropogenic N2O emissions.
Nitrous oxide (N2O), also known as laughing gas, is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, which affects the climate – ‘warming the planet’. Nitrous oxide is both potent like methane and persistent like CO2 with a global warming potential 265–300 times greater than that of CO2 over a 100-year time.
It is also a significant contributor to ozone layer depletion. Its atmospheric concentration has been increasing steadily, resulting in a 20% rise since 1750. Anthropogenic N2O emissions are primarily resulting from microbial nitrification (the conversion of NH+4 to NO-3) and denitrification (the conversion of NO-3 to N2) processes.
Agricultural activities, such as application of huge nitrogen (N) fertilisers and livestock manure, are the main sources of these emissions, accounting for a substantial portion of global anthropogenic N2O emissions. With the growing global population and increasing food demand, these emissions are expected to continue rising. To estimate total N2O emissions for GHG inventories, the quantity of a specific activity (e.g.
Bala Tikkisetty ■
Minimising human-induced erosion and maintaining good soil quality are essential for maintaining soil ecosystem.
amount of fertiliser N applied) is multiplied by an emission factor (EF). The EF represents the percentage of N proportion of the N applied. The default emission factors provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for direct N emissions resulting from the application of mineral fertilisers to managed soils is 1% of the N applied (IPCC2019).
However, this default factor does not account for various parameters such as fertiliser type, crop and pasture type, soil type, climate, and management practices, which can influence N example, the choice of N fertiliser type can change N in N2O emissions can be attributed to differences in the chemical compo sition of fertilisers.
In the New Zealand context, the use of N fertilisers plays a crucial role in replenishing the N lost from pastoral land due to the transfer of animal products. The primary type of N fertiliser used in New Zealand is urea, along with two other ammonium (NH+4) based fertilisers: ammonium sulphate (AS) and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP).
Recent research reports suggest that fertilisers containing ammonium tend to result in lower N compared to those containing nitrate. This could be because nitrate is more
pasture types can provide more reliable estimates.
A recent study aimed to quantify O emissions from soil after the application of DAP and AS fertilisers and compare these emissions with those from urea fertiliser. By doing so, more appropriate values for NH+4 based fertilisers can be determined for use in the New Zealand GHG inventory calculations, providing more accurate estimates of N2O emissions from agricultural activities.
The results of this study suggest that there were no significant differences in N2O emissions between -based AS and DAP fertilisers and urea.
However, additional research and monitoring should be conducted to further refine and validate the emission factor values for both urea + based fertilisers under different conditions.
Carbon sequestration is an important component in managing human induced emissions that involves the capture and long-term storage of carbon out of the atmosphere. This can be done by natural means, such as through forestry planting or developing wetlands, or by artificial means through physical or chemical processes.
Further, we need to consider how to better incentivise indigenous biodiversity and other carbon sequestration processes within the context of our primary industry.
• Bala Tikkisetty is formerly Principal Sustainable Agriculture Advisor
Bala Tikkisetty
Using maize silage to grow more grass in summer
IN SEPTEMBER, I wrote a Dairy News article titled “Maintaining Early Season Momentum”.
At the time, farmers were already casting an eye toward summer, anticipating a more ‘normal’ season. This prediction seemed to be based on the laws of probability—after two wetterthan-normal summers, a drier one seemed due. Now, with early summer season upon us, I thought it was timely to see how accurate those early predictions were.
Soil moisture is always a useful lead indicator at the start of summer, and the current NIWA maps (Figure 1) show slightly lower-than-average soil moisture levels across the North Island and the eastern South Island. Meanwhile, the West Coast of the South Island and Southland unsurprisingly have higher-than-average levels. NIWA’s seasonal climate outlook for November 2024 to January 2025 suggests above-average air
temperatures across the country, with rainfall expected to be near normal or below normal in most regions.
These weather predictions spell challenges for perennial ryegrass pastures, which often struggle to perform well under typical summer conditions of higher temperature and reduced rainfall. A lack of pasture growth can lead to overgrazing which in turn lowers regrowth, and results
When cows eat supplements, they tend to eat less pasture. This is known as pasture substitution. Concentrate feeds such as palm kernel typically have lower substitution rates and so they are not as good at taking the pressure off pasture as forages. Maize silage can be stored and used when required to help extend grazing rotations, maintain optimum pre and post grazing targets and set their pastures up for a strong recovery come autumn.
1. EXTENDING GRAZING ROTATIONS WITH MAIZE SILAGE One of the simplest yet most
in less persistent pasture swards in the long term.
Wade Bell ■
Figure 1: Soil moisture deficit
Figure 2: Ryegrass growth potential.
Wade Bell
effective strategies for managing summer pastures is extending grazing rotations. During summer, leaf emergence in ryegrass slows, ranging from 8 to 13 days per leaf stage based on average temperatures.
Longer grazing rotations give ryegrass plants the time they need to recover between grazings and this in turn maximises growth potential (Figure 2).
Feeding maize silage reduces pasture demand and can help achieve these longer rotations. As pasture growth rates start to decline leading into summer, the introduction of maize silage allows farmers to continue to meet the herd’s nutritional requirements while reducing grazing pressure. Extending rotations in late December to 25–35 days helps maximise pasture growth rates and supports milk production even during dry spells.
2. PREVENTING OVERGRAZING DURING SUMMER
Overgrazing is one of the biggest threats to pasture survival during summer. When residuals drop below 1500kg DM/ha (or 4cm compressed
height), ryegrass plants struggle to photosynthesise and they are forced to draw on energy reserves which are stored in the base of the plant.
Bare patches allow light into the sward making it vulnerable to weed invasion and lagging regrowth—even after moisture returns.
Severe or repeated overgrazing can lead to plant death, reducing pasture persistence and further increasing the risk of weeds outcompeting ryegrass.
By supplementing with maize silage, farmers can prevent overgrazing and maintain healthier residuals. This protects the plant base, ensuring faster recovery and sustained growth through the season.
3. WHAT ABOUT PROTEIN?
Some farmers have raised the concern that maize silage, a low (8%) crude protein (CP) feed, is less suitable for coupling with lower protein summer pasture.
Monthly pasture analysis collected on Waikato farms since 2011 by Open Country Dairy has shown that pasture protein content consistently remains above 20%.
This means that farmers can feed
up to one-third of the diet as maize silage in the summer whilst still providing a 14-16% CP diet.
In most cases, this is sufficient dietary protein for cows in mid lactation.
In situations where protein is truly lacking, feeding small quantities of wheat DDG (22% CP), maize DDG (28-30% CP), sunflower pellets (34% CP), canola (38% CP) or soybean meal (48-50% CP) can make a big difference to protein balance. Remember that as milk production drops, so too does protein requirement.
PLAN NOW TO GROW MORE GRASS THIS SUMMER
By using maize silage to extend grazing rotations, prevent overgrazing, and maintain optimal pasture covers, farmers can set their pastures up for long-term success. These strategies not only protect perennial ryegrass during challenging summer months but also ensure healthier, more productive pastures in the seasons to come.
• Wade Bell is Genetic Technologies farm systems manager. Contact him at wbell@genetic.co.nz
Feeding maize silage reduces pasture demand and can help achieve these longer rotations.
Matching supplements to farm’s feed situation
ADDING A FEED supplement is only one of the options available when an unplanned food shortage arises.
If you face an unexpected feed shortage this summer, you may need to respond quickly. However, the key is uncovering the most cost-effective feed supplement for your circumstances.
Firstly, evaluate the current feed situation, including pasture growth rates, available pasture cover, supplements and crops already on hand and any feed you may have planned to come in. Calculate the deficit by comparing the herd’s feed requirements with available feed resources.
There are two main levers when managing a deficit: reducing demand and purchasing supplements. The available options will depend on timing; consider how long you may be planning for and what lies ahead. If it’s early December, for example, your response will differ from a dry spell occurring from late January onwards.
Demand can be reduced by removing animals or reducing energy requirements, such as changing to milking once a day. If it is earlier in the season, there will be less information to determine which animals could be culled.
After pregnancy testing is a good
MARGINAL MILK
MARGINAL MILK IS the extra milk a dairy cow produces when she receives nutrients or supplements beyond what she needs for basic maintenance.
For example, a cow needs a certain amount of feed to maintain her body weight and basic functions (maintenance requirements). If you provide her with more feed or higher-quality feed, the additional nutrients can lead to increased milk production – this extra production is the ‘marginal milk’.
The profitability of producing marginal milk depends on whether the extra milk brings in more money than the cost of the additional feed
opportunity to consider which cows are less productive due to age, health status, or whether they are empty, and remove them sooner to ensure valuable feed is going to the right animals.
After evaluating demand reduction, assess the cost-effectiveness of different supplements by consid-
ering the cost per unit of dry matter, the nutrient value provided and the expected marginal milk.
The DairyNZ Supplement Price Calculator is a valuable tool for exploring different options. It is based on milk price and milk company, postgrazing residuals, supplement composition and your profit requirements from using a supplement.
The FeedChecker calculator is another useful tool as it estimates the energy and nutrient demands for a selected mob of cows and compares this to what is supplied in the diet. You can enter what you are expecting from the available pasture and create different options to determine the most appropriate supplement.
During dry periods, continue with your usual decision-making processes for pasture management. This will help ensure you’re on the right rotation to prevent under- or over-grazing of paddocks, and that you use supplements only to address any deficits. The key is to be prepared, have a plan and use the tools available to determine the best course of action to use supplementary feed effectively this summer.
Find helpful tools at dairynz.co.nz/supplement-calc dairynz.co.nz/tools/feed-checker/
Maintaining milk flow
AS SPRING CALVING farmers around the country enter in the final stage of lactation, the incentive to keep the milk flowing is certainly there. A strong milk price and kind first half of the season has left cows in good nick and milking well.
Typically, during the warmer months low soil moisture levels and resulting issues with supply and quality of pasture can be a hurdle. Combined with the lack of advance payments from Fonterra, maintaining milk flows to cover costs, while building cow condition becomes a demanding yet rewarding exercise in animal management and nutrition.
Farm inputs can seem costly, but they’re an investment in your
DRAINAGE AND SOIL AERATION PAY BIG DIVIDENDS
herd’s productivity. With a targeted and informed approach, the right management and inputs can support cashflows while setting up your herd for next year.
STOCK MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES
• Sustain milk flows and protect SCC levels
• Maintain cow condition to maximise days in milk - ensure optimal calving condition for next season.
• Support growth rates of young stock with consistent feed quality and supply
A balanced diet is essential to keep cows milking well, prevent rising somatic cell counts, and maintain milk quality. Keeping cows in good condition allows for extended milking
Don’t put good fertiliser on compacted soil which can’t absorb it. If your soil can’t support 15cm root growth and good worm population check for compaction. You could need aeration. In dollar terms, what would 20% production increase mean to your yearly turnover?
YOUR GREATEST ASSET IS THE SOIL YOU FARM. DON’T DESTROY IT!
Simon Butler ■
Simon Butler
without over-relying on the dry period, which, if rushed, can lead to metabolic issues.
Days in milk are a major driver of profitability, so addressing cow condition early ensures they are prepared to milk late into the season.
This is also a critical time for next year’s heifers and younger stock, as they face similar nutritional and environmental challenges. By applying the same strategies below, growth rates can be maintained during this period, supporting their first-lactation production potential. A little extra care now can make a significant difference.
FEEDING STRATEGIES TO FILL THE GAP
• Manage feed supply - summer dry and heat affect grass quantity and quality
• Use supplements and crops to complement pasture and address limitations – protein, fibre, energy,
dry matter, minerals
Summer pasture is higher in neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and typically lacking in metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP). Depending on location and infrastructure, declining pasture quality can be managed with topping, irrigation and fertiliser. However, many farmers rely on summer safe cropping and feeding supplementsboth home-grown and imported - to bridge the gap between cow requirements and what pasture provides.
When introducing feeds to a dairy cow diet it’s important to understand the nutritional composition of each, and make sure the cow is having its energy, protein and fibre needs met.
Higher NDF pasture is less palatable, harder for the cow to eat, and takes up more room in the rumen than lush feeds. This can limit dry matter intakes and, subsequently, ME and CP supply.
Milk production demands signif-
icant energy and protein, but excess energy is needed to lay down fat stores. To support production and build condition, focus on maintaining dry matter intake. Summer crops, silage, and concentrates can supply the energy and dry matter cows need when pasture falls short.
Summer crops like chicory and turnips are great for balancing protein shortfalls in pasture and keeping your milk curve on track. If you’re using concentrates, you can fine-tune the mix in the shed or feed pad to target specific nutritional gaps, helping your herd stay healthy and perform at their best.
Preventing heat stress is crucial. Bringing cows inside during the hottest part of the day, shifting milking times to avoid peak heat, and using shady paddocks can make a big difference.
• Simon Butler is a Nutrition Extension Specialist for SealesWinslow
Tools to create ‘perfect silage’
CREATING PERFECT SILAGE
is an increasingly important way to manage on-farm costs, improve livestock performance, assist seasonal feed supply, and improve overall farm sustainability.
A silage management system that sets out an effective routine for producing high-quality silage is an important component for any pastoral farming business. Such a system must consider what is important for maximising feed quality, optimising animal intake and limiting unwanted contaminants.
Determining the type of feed system and its elements (silage, hay, maize) ensures that desirable outcomes can be achieved using the correct implements and harvesting tools.
Combining available technologies provides additional benefits to enhance your harvesting activity:
Forage harvesters with easily adapted knife configurations ensure the correct cut length.
Onboard silage additive applicators and dry matter monitoring systems.
Mowers with active float hydraulic systems to ensure cut height consistency.
Tedders and rakes that have both 3D ground contour following and time adjustments to ensure your silage remains as contaminant-free as possible.
A high-quality silage yield is a result of a focus on the critical control points within the harvest cycle:
Cutting – Chop at correct maturity and moisture
These paddocks will usually not miss a rotation if forage is cut early in the season, at or near early canopy closure. The silage will have very high nutritive value and be very palatable to livestock.
Harvesting forage above its
respective dry matter ranges often results in mould and yeast growth in the silage due to too much air being trapped between the dry material, so it is best not to harvest over-mature crops.
Well-cut silage that is not affected by rain, dirt or left on the ground for too long should be free of contaminants. However, contamination (soil, debris, ash) will often contribute to poorer-quality silage.
WILTING - HARVEST WITHIN ONE TO TWO DAYS
You should complete your harvest quickly (24 to 36 hours, ideally). Once mown, pastures continue to respire or “live” so their nutritive value starts to decline. You should move this off the paddock quickly to maintain quality.
Additives - Consider using a silage additive
Understanding the processes that occur during fermentation is critical to an effective silage system. Fermentation-enhancing inoculants speed up
fermentation and reduce dry matter losses. Consider using a proven inoculant that improves aerobic stability.
COMPACTION
Good compaction is critical to achieving high-quality fermentation and avoiding losses at feed-out. A silage stack is well compacted when it is difficult to push your fingers into the surface beyond the fingernails.
SEALING - SEAL QUICKLY AND AIRTIGHT
Stacks should be well-sealed as soon as harvesting is completed to prevent air from entering. Keep the stack face tight and tidy to reduce aerobic spoilage and avoid heating.
PACKING THE SILAGE PIT
Select an appropriate clean site for your silage. Do not let loose material gather at the base and when hauling material, do not let debris be driven through the clean area by your hauling machinery.
A silage management system should set out an effective routine for producing high-quality silage.
Genotyping helps deliver accurate breeding decisions
A 540-STRONG FRIESIAN herd near Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty is where a special calf was born in the late winter of this year.
LIC has revealed that calf No.301 on the farm of John Cameron was the co-operative’s 1 millionth dairy animal to be genotyped since state-of-the-art DNA analysis began in the industry in 2008.
“Our farm! This farm? That calf? What are the chances?” said Jamie Iggulden, a contract milker on John’s farm.
“It’s a little black calf, and it’s running around in our paddock out the front. It’s happy and healthy, and you wouldn’t think it’d even blink an eye at the thought it’s the millionth one.”
Mark Julian, LIC general manager operations and service, said one million was an important milestone for the co-operative.
In 2008 LIC was New Zealand’s first dairy genetics supplier to use genomic technology on behalf of its farmers when it genotyped about 5000 sires (historical and active sires at that time).
By 2015, LIC genotyped 35,000 New Zealand dairy animals, the majority of which were cows. These animals also provided phenotypic information, which helped LIC’s research team determine what genes could be associated with good (or poor) breeding and milking performance, including traits other than production, Mark said.
Today there were 1 million genotypes which contributed to the dataset, representing about 35 million DNA data points, Mark said. The data helped deliver more accurate breeding values (genomic evaluations) for farmers.
“And with tens of thousands of more calves born this season, that 1 million milestone will continue to be rapidly built upon.”
Genotyping is a familiar scientific technology among many of New Zealand’s top-performing dairy farmers.
Soon after birth, LIC uses genotype information predict how much of a desirable, or undesirable, trait that a calf has inherited from its sire (father) and dam (mother).
The accumulation of this early trait information allows the farmer to get a more accurate breeding worth index earlier for a calf.
This is useful to farmers because it increases their odds of retaining desirable calves for future use in their herd, as older milking cows are replaced by a new generation of emerging heifers.
In turn, this helps farmers fast-
track herd performance (i.e. milking and breeding) by using better genetics from one generation to the next (i.e. genetic improvement means that, over time, younger generations of cows will perform better than the previous generation).
“Genotyping a young calf essentially provides the farmer with the same information as that of a farmer who’s put their milking heifer through three herd tests,” Mark said.
“The power of genotyping a young calf is that a farmer has essentially the same reliability of information as they would have after a cow’s first milking season; it gives you that information now to make the best breeding decisions for your herd so much earlier.”
Back on the Te Puke farm, John Cameron said his motive for identifying complete parentage across his herd, together with DNA-identifi-
Calf No.301 was LIC’s 1 millionth dairy animal to be genotyped since state-of-the-art DNA analysis began in the industry in 2008.
Staff: Contract milker Jamie Iggulden and Hamish Bennett (second in charge).
Farm system: 3.
Twice-a-day milking all year; spring calving.
cation of traits within his replacements, was to secure the value of the herd while maintaining a focus on long-term genetic improvement.
“So, for example, when a sharemilker might come on the farm one
day, from my perspective, I can have a legitimate herd for sale. The genetics, and the genomic product that sits behind those genetics, will prove how good our asset is within LIC’s (breeding index) system.”
John emphasised that LIC’s GeneMark Genomic product was part of a wider herd improvement picture on-farm.
About five years ago John told Carly Pool, his LIC Agri Manager,
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that he wanted his Friesian herd to rank in the top-10% nationally, based on both genomic breeding worth and production worth (gBW and gPW respectively – these are national indexes that rank a cow’s quality and efficiency).
Carly said she helped John map out a plan to speed up the rate of genetic gain of his herd:
“So, in 2021 we switched from (Premier Sires) Daughter Proven genetics to Forward Pack so we could take advantage of the latest genomically-selected bulls.
“Then in 2022 we looked at DNA (parentage) to make sure we were actually keeping the correct calves.
“Last year, to really fast-track genetic gain, we pulled out the
top-300 cows (based on gBW) in the herd and we started AB’ing (artificially breeding) them using fresh sexed semen.
Sexed semen increases the chances of producing a replacement-quality heifer calf from 50% to at least 90%.
“So, the very top cows get the sexed straw (5 per day for 22 days; then 2 per day for 7 days), and the remainder of the top-300 get Forward Pack.”
The balance of the herd got pregnant to natural-mate bulls, but some short gestation length semen Hereford and Dairy was also utilised during the tail-off period.
John’s contract milker, Jamie Iggulden, said the medium-term goal for the herd was to produce an
average of 400kg milksolids per cow on the system 3 farm.
That goal was yet to be reached, but it wasn’t far off, Jamie said, and gradual herd improvement was seen as a key vehicle in reaching getting there.
In October mating season got off to a “cracking start”, with the submission rate reaching 85% within the first three weeks.
The herd improvement strategy also involved regular weighing of replacement calves at a nearby grazier’s farm, together with a practice of mating yearlings via artificial breeding to Forward Pack (a mix of genomically-selected bulls and daughter proven bulls).
Article: LIC
A special calf was born on John Cameron’s farm in Te Puke last winter.
Repro done well
Southland couple Michael and Fiona O’Hare own seven farms throughout the region, but when it comes to reproduction, it’s their 224ha Foxhall dairy block near Invercargill that’s the standout from which other farms can model themselves on.
FOXHALL WAS CONVERTED to a dairy operation in 2015, and herd numbers have gradually increased since that time.
Now that Michael is comfortable with cow numbers (717 peak cow numbers), today the focus is squarely on improving herd quality and efficiency.
And rather than relying on largescale investment in technology, the couple’s strategy for improvement rests on a conveyor belt of well-fed quality replacement heifers, the continued dedication of key staff, and superior repro results.
Foxhall is a classic example of a farm that focuses on the fundamentals of balancing production with reproduction.
While maintaining annual production at 337,000 kgMS (468 kg MS/cow/year) during the past several years, the farm’s six week in-calf rate has ranged between 75% and 82%, with a not-in-calf rate of between 9% and 11% (significantly better that the regional averages of 70% and 14% respectively).
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
There are eight major focus areas for reproductive improvement, and although Foxhall pays attention to all areas (to some degree), it’s a focus on 3-4 disciplines in particular that appears to set up the herd for continued success.
1. Accurate heat detection and highly-engaged staff;
2. Nutrition and Body Condition Score (BCS);
3. Young stock/heifer management, and;
4. Bull power.
ACCURATE
HEAT DETECTION
INVOLVING HIGHLY-ENGAGED STAFF
Michael says the farm has a simple mating plan: Artificial breeding (AB) takes place in the first six weeks of mating using Premier Sires Forward Pack, ensuring a mix of young genomically-selected bulls and daughter proven sires are mated to all on-heat cows.
After the AB period, natural-mate
Jersey bulls are introduced to the herd for four weeks, and once mating is finished, cows identified as still not-in-calf leave the farm as soon as practical.
More recently, scratchies for the first and second round have been used in conjunction with tailpaint, but that wasn’t necessarily the key to great submission and conception rates, Michael says.
“You need the right people on the ground that are capable and have a desire to succeed.”
In the first six years of Foxhall’s
Southland farmer Michael O’Hare’s focus is squarely on improving herd quality and efficiency.
operation, Ven, (a Filipino farm manager/contract milker) took it upon himself to be the main observer and ‘picker of heats’, says Michael.
“He stood on the stand himself, and he did that every day for the first six weeks (the AB period). He wanted to learn, he was driven, and he got to know the herd, and every year he just got better and better. He had great attention to detail.
“We’ve since employed another Filipino guy, little Mike and has taken over on Foxhall but they continue to learn and challenge one another. They make a real effort to get the cows in-calf, and they’ve proved themselves.”
In the lead-up to planned start-ofmating, cows are given every chance to start their cycling (the farm does not use CIDRs).
The entire herd is metri-checked. Blood samples are also taken from the herd to check for mineral deficiencies, with shortfalls addressed through
FARM FACTS
Business Type: Owner-operator with contract milker
Location: Waianiwa, near
Invercargill
Farm Size: 224ha effective milking platform
Peak cows: 717
PSC: 1 August MA cows, 23 July Heifers
Stocking Rate: 3.2 cows per ha Farm System: System 3
Herd BW average: 211/46
Herd PW average: 239/66
Breed average: F13J3
Liveweight BV average: 25.02
Production: 349,240 kg MS/year 2023/2024 season, 1545 kg MS/ ha, 487 kg MS/cow
Production (3-year average): 337,109kg MS; 1500kg MS/ha
Dosatron.
What also makes a difference is that Mark Bennett, LIC agri manager, turns up prior to AB with several MINDA reports from which lessons are taken from the previous season.
Mark briefs the staff on where improvements can be made, and provides material that helps staff in what to look for when identifying cows on-heat.
FEED IS KING: NUTRITION, WEIGHT MONITORING, AND BODY CONDITION SCORE
Repro begins from the day a replacement calf is born.
“The farm policy is that the calves aren’t allowed to leave the dairy farm until they’re 100kg, so it’s up to the contract milker to get them there.”
As the calves are given a good start at Foxhall, the body condition score of the milking herd post-calving is carefully monitored by Michael and
Seasonal Smarts
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And don’t forget: each season brings fresh challenges, so keep an eye out for our Autumn, Winter and Spring Smarts – a tailored set of tools and resources for every season, powered by the latest research.
‘Little Mike’ (contract milker Mike Pelesco).
“Before mating if light and not cycling, we put them on once-a-day (milking),” says Michael. “And to me that’s a game-changer. You might sacrifice a little bit of production, but you get them back-in-calf.”
Cows are also well-fed to bring them back to condition in time for mating (4.5 for heifers, 4.0 for cows).
A mixture of palm kernel, distillers dried grains (DDG), silage, and pasture is provided to ensure cows are on a rising plane of nutrition heading into mating.
“If there’s a shortage, I like to know there’s plenty of surplus silage and feed lying around the place to fall back on,” Michael says. “I’d rather have it sitting there than go looking for it when it’s needed. We try not to have a hungry animal or a feed shortage before we act. We like to act well before we run out.”
YOUNG STOCK/HEIFER MANAGEMENT
Once they reach their target 100kg weight at Foxhall, replacement calves
head off the main dairy farm.
In 2018, Michael and Fiona purchased an 1162ha run-off at Wyndham to serve their multiple dairy farms.
When they arrive at Wyndham, replacement calves from farms across the wider business are graded according to their weight classes, “so the competition for feed is kept as even as possible,” Michael says.
The calves are weighed at least 3-4 times in their first year, then 2-3 times as rising two-year-olds. At 15 months of age, the calves are naturally mated to Jersey bulls to ensure the first calving is relatively easy.
When they’re ready for the milking platform, the replacements arrive back at Foxhall at their mature weight, averaging 530kg, “so they hit the ground running from there”.
Michael describes getting the heifers to proper condition as “a game changer” for the herd in that it secures a good future in terms of both
When it comes to reproduction, the 224ha Foxhall dairy block near Invercargill is the stand-out from which other farms can model themselves on.
production and reproduction.
BULL POWER
Before being purchased, selected young Jersey (natural-mate) bulls are tested for BVD and EBL, and arrive at Wyndham one year ahead of mating where they are left to graze and mature.
“We buy them as R2s at the end of mating,” Michael says. “When it comes to mating the heifers at Wyndham, the bulls will have been there nearly a year. We put the bigger bulls out (with the R2s) for the first three weeks.
Then we pull those bigger bulls out and they get rested before they go off to the dairy farm, and they’re replaced by the smaller bulls.”
At the main dairy farm, the bull ratio is 1 to every 20 cows yet to conceive. “They’ll arrive at the end of the first round of AB, about 20 November, so they get a few weeks rest.” Once their work begins, the bulls are rotated regularly to ensure they are fresh, keen, and healthy.
Article: LIC
Handle with care
DURING AND AFTER calving, both cows and people are vulnerable to injuries and impaired decision-making. Here’s how you can reduce risks and keep everyone safe.
Cows have good long-term memories so it’s essential they don’t have any distressing experiences from the get-go. Getting heifers used to the shed and being handled before they calve helps reduces their fears at calving time. That makes them easier to milk and reduces the risk of injury to them and you.
TRAIN YOUR HEIFERS FOR QUIET MILKINGS
• Aim for 3-7 visits to the shed.
• Start slowly and build up to having the machines on, holding the heifers in the bales, and teat-spraying them.
• Work calmly and gently around them.
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF Cows:
• Loose ligaments help the calf come out, but they create risky joints too.
• Inflammation helps the uterus return to normal but it also makes hooves fragile.
• Udders are often swollen and sore.
• Heifers are doing lots of things for the first time, which can be quite scary for them. This can make them difficult to move, handle, and milk out.
People
• Some team members can be out of practice and unfit.
• They can also be tired and busy.
• New staff are doing lots of things for the first time.
STOCKMANSHIP TRAINING
• Good stock handling requires both skill and empathy.
• Develop a policy with your team on how stock is handled on-farm.
• Use heifer training to reinforce how you expect the team to handle difficult animals (including avoiding handling tails, as this can cause them injury).
• Encourage employees to have favourite cows. When we think about something as an individual rather than a part of a group, it taps into our emotions and increases empathy.
Reducing stress and risk by planning and preparing with your farm team will increase work efficiency, reduce stress and injuries, and keep everyone safe at this busy time of year.
• Find out more about stockmanship at dairynz.co.nz/ stockmanship
• You’ll also find tips for setting up for calving online at dairynz.co.nz/calving Article supplied by DairyNZ
Getting heifers used to the shed and being handled before they calve helps reduces their fears at calving time.
Ensuring calves get the best start to life
stay healthy. Young calves should be housed for at least 4 weeks to ensure they stay warm and are using their energy for growth.
Housing
REARING A QUALITY calf starts with good nutrition and management of the cow to support a healthy, robust calf at birth followed by quality nutrition and management practices during rearing.
FACILITIES
Rearing facilities should be set-up and maintained well to ensure calves
• Must be dry and draught-free for calves to regulate body temperature. Calves should be protected from wind and rain in a structure twice as long as wide.
• Cover the floor surface with dry materials such as sawdust, shavings, straw, post peelings or wood chip to a depth of at least 200-300mm. Avoid dusty materials. Ideally the floor
should be lower at the front to help drain effluent and water. Regularly muck out and top up the bedding so it is clean and dry.
• Good ventilation is essential and is best situated where the walls meet the ceiling. It’s easier to ventilate across the shed, not down the length. Ventilation should be adaptable, so the use of boards, shutters or wind cloth is recommended.
Spacing calves
• Calves are less stressed and have higher intakes in smaller groups. The shelter should provide a minimum of
Feeding strategies of calves should be considered carefully.
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1.5m2 per calf and, where possible, minimise calf contact between pens. The best approach is 10-20 calves per pen.
• Depending on how many calves you are rearing - having more than one shed separated into pens allows for easier separation of age groups and feeding levels. Having more pens also provides a safety barrier between calves in case of disease outbreak and will allow a pen/shed to be rested for cleaning and sanitation between different batches of calves.
Feeding facilities
• Each pen must have clean, quality water, which should be checked, cleaned and refreshed daily. In hot conditions, restricted feeding systems, high meal/fibre intakes or scours, an additional 2-6L of water per calf per day is required.
• Meal troughs should have sufficient space for feeding at least half of the calves at the trough at any one time. Provide a minimum of 300mm of trough space per calf.
• Keep meal feeders free from moisture and clean weekly to avoid fungal growth.
• Keep milk lines as short as possible and ensure there is no stale milk left in hoses between feeds.
Cleaning
• Ensure all feeding equipment is regularly cleaned and treated with disinfectant. Bottles or cafeterias should be cleaned between feeds and automatic feeders (mixing bowls, lines and teats) should be cleaned and calibrated at least weekly.
• Use a broom to remove any excess material in laneways. Do not use a high-pressure hose inside the shed, as this will aerosol bacteria and viruses to calves in other pens.
• Spray the rearing area, feeding utensils and teats with approved virucidal at least once a week and daily during a disease outbreak.
• Rodents and birds must be controlled.
• Isolate sick calves to reduce risk of spreading disease.
To ensure optimal growth, health, and well-being of calves, feeding strategies should be considered carefully.
COLOSTRUM
Colostrum is produced only in the first milking after calving, it is higher
in protein and fat than milk, contains a wide array of other beneficial bioactive molecules, specific nutrients, hormones and growth factors, and has a distinctive yellow colour.
Following the first milking a cow will produce ‘transition milk’ for a few days which only has some of the characteristics of colostrum.
Normal milk production will happen from about four days postcalving. Colostrum is very energy and nutrient dense which is helpful when feeding a very young calf with an immature digestive system. Calves are born with a naive immune system and have no resistance against bacteria and viruses that can cause disease.
Colostrum contains very high concentrations of immunoglobulins (defense proteins), and for the first 24 hours or so after birth a calf’s intestine is porous to these antibodies, allowing the calf to absorb them and transfer the immunity of the mother to the calf.
There is a rapid decline in the ability of the calf to absorb immunoglobulins after 12 hours of birth. At around 24 hours of age the calf stops being able to absorb those immunoglobulins and this ‘gut closure’ is the reason it’s so critical to get colostrum into newborn calves (quantity, quality, quickly) immediately after collection
from the calving areas.
Even after gut closure, colostrum has a protective effect, as immunoglobulins floating freely in the intestine can bind to bugs to reduce their disease-causing ability to the calf. It is important to note that the immunoglobulin concentration of colostrum coming out of a cow declines rapidly following first milking, and bacterial contamination levels can increase rapidly in colostrum that isn’t stored well.
Therefore, feeding fresh, first milking colostrum is advised for newborns.
MILK
Calves are born with an underdeveloped digestive system. Therefore, for the first 4-6 weeks of their life they exclusively rely on milk or milk-based feeds for nourishment before their digestive tract matures sufficiently to digest solid feeds.
Vat milk and good quality milkbased milk replacer provide high quality easily digestible nutrients to calves during the first 2 months of their life. Research has shown that increasing milk supply (ranging between 4-10 L/day) of either vat milk or milk replacer during the first 2 months of life promotes growth and is beneficial to the development of various organs (e.g. gut and
Calves are born with a naive immune system and have no resistance against bacteria and viruses that can cause disease.
mammary gland).
Further, international studies have shown that accelerating pre-weaning growth through improving milk supply can promote greater lifetime milk production and studies in New Zealand have shown improved growth and thus reduced time to cull and environmental impact without compromising meat quality in dairybeef heifers.
Therefore, feeding calves more milk (around 20% of their initial body
weight, 6-10 L/day for calves with 25 to 50kg of initial body weight) during the first 2 months of life will not only improve growth and organ development of the calves but could potentially enhance the lifetime performance of the calves in commercial herds. It is highly recommended to feed calves consistently.
Changing the feeding time and abrupt changes in feed type (between vat milk and milk replacers) or volume fed can perturb the digestive
system of the calves causing scours and/or metabolic disturbances that can affect calf health, growth and wellbeing.
Maintaining cleanliness of the feeding equipment and the rearing environment (pens and milk preparation areas) is equally important for successful milk feeding and calf rearing programmes. It is a good practice to clean and sanitize bottles, teats, mixing and storage equipment at every use to reduce pathogen loads.
For the first 4-6 weeks of their life calves exclusively rely on milk or milk-based feeds for nourishment.
Does colostrum colour indicate quality?
The deeper yellow your cows’ colostrum is, the better its quality, right?
DairyNZ’s senior animal care specialist, Penny TimmerArends, digs for the truth behind the gold.
COLOSTRUM, OFTEN REFERRED to as ‘gold colostrum’, is the first milk a cow produces after calving.
A cow can’t transfer antibodies to the foetus while she’s pregnant. Instead, gold colostrum provides maternal antibodies to the newborn calf to help it fight disease. This passive transfer of immunity is important for calf health, growth, and lifetime productivity in replacement heifers.
WHAT’S IN COLOSTRUM?
Colostrum is a mixture of factors that provide immunity and nutrition
THE 4 QS OF COLOSTRUM
FEED CALVES WITH the highest quality colostrum available, as soon as possible after birth.
• Quality – greater than 22% Brix reading.
• Quickly – within 6-12 hours of birth while the calf’s gut can still absorb the antibodies.
• Quantity – 4-6 litres across the first two feeds.
• sQueaky clean – collect, transport, and preserve colostrum in clean containers.
for the calf. Including:
• Antibodies (immunoglobulins) –IgG, IgM and IgA.
• Antimicrobial factors.
• White blood cells.
• Growth factors.
• Fat.
• Vitamins.
It’s high in fat and contains five times as much protein as milk. The beta-carotene in the fat gives
Penny Timmer-Arends
Colostrum quality isn’t about colour; it’s about antibody concentration
MYTH BUSTER
MYTH: The more yellow colostrum is, the better it is for calves.
BUSTED – YES: While the fat content of the milk gives it its colour, it’s the antibodies that matter most when it comes to achieving passive transfer of immunity. colostrum its yellow colour. Darker yellow colostrum has more fat, but it may not have a sufficient level of antibodies present.
ASSESSING COLOSTRUM QUALITY
Colostrum quality isn’t about colour; it’s about antibody concentration, particularly IgG. High quality colostrum has an IgG concentration of greater than 50 milligrams of IgG per millilitre.
This high level of IgG increases the protein
concentration of the colostrum, which can be checked using a Brix refractometer (see photo).
A Brix score of 22% is the cut-off for detecting good quality colostrum (equivalent to IgG above 50 mg/ml).
Newborn calves should be given the freshest, highest quality colostrum. Older calves can be given older and lesser quality colostrum.
Learn more at dairynz. co.nz/colostrum
Article by DairyNZ
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REFRIGERATION UNITS
A Brix score of 22% is the cut-off for detecting good quality colostrum.
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Measuring somatic cell counts control mastitis, lift milk quality
MEASURING SOMATIC CELL counts help control mastitis and improve milk quality in your herd by identifying infected animals that need to be treated or culled.
SOMATIC CELLS EXPLAINED
Somatic cells are mainly white blood cells that increase in number in response to the bacteria that cause mastitis. Somatic cells are always present in milk. They only cause concern once a cow has between 120,000 and 150,000 somatic cells in every millilitre of milk it produces. The higher the somatic cell count (SCC) the worse the infection.
HIGH SCCS MEAN LOWER PRODUCTION
Cows with high somatic cell counts usually produce less milk than those with lower counts. They may also be less fertile.
The earlier you identify and treat infected cows the more productive your herd will be.
HIGH BULK MILK SCCS LEAD TO PENALTIES
Just a few infected animals can increase the bulk milk somatic cell count in your vat and put you at risk of being penalised by your dairy company.
Regular herd tests help keep your bulk milk counts at an acceptable level by identifying individual animals with high somatic cell counts that may need treatment or culling.
DETECT SUB-CLINICAL MASTITIS
Somatic cell counts identify cows with sub-clinical mastitis. Unlike cows with clinical mastitis, cows with sub-clinical mastitis show no physical signs of infection but they are often
less productive. They may also infect other animals in your herd.
Regular herd tests help prevent sub-clinical mastitis from becoming a problem in your herd.
RELIABILITY OF SCCS
Classic tests (afternoon and morning sampling) produce the most reliable somatic cell counts. Afternoon samples have higher concentrations of somatic cells than morning samples as there is a shorter interval between milkings. Averaging the somatic cell count of the two samples provides the most accurate 24-hour somatic cell count.
FULL RESULTS MOST RELIABLE FOR SINGLE TESTS
Single tests produce slightly
different somatic cell counts depending on when they are taken. If you milk twice a day the counts are slightly lower in morning samples and slightly higher in afternoon samples.
Within a few days of the test you will receive a preliminary report called a Lab Strip.
It includes all the raw data from the test, including the actual number of somatic cells in every milk sample.
If you milk twice a day and choose a single test, we recommend waiting for the full herd test report before deciding which animals to treat for mastitis.
The full report should arrive within four days of the test. It includes a 24-hour somatic cell count for every animal in your herd.
Regular herd tests help keep your bulk milk counts at an acceptable level.
Less heat stress means more milk from cows
COWS ARE MORE sensitive to heat than us – so if you’re hot, they’re hotter.
Temps get high enough right across NZ to cause heat stress in cows during summer. Here’s how you can help them cope.
Whether you want to make small or big changes, managing heat stress effectively will improve animal wellbeing and could increase milk production.
Autumn can still throw in some hot days, so keep an eye on the weather and your cows.
You’ll also need to make sure you and your team keep cool and sun safe, too. Drink plenty of water throughout
the day, wear hats, sunglasses and sunscreen and take regular breaks out of the sun.
Check out the tips below, and get more tips and info at dairynz.co.nz/ heatstress.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
Here are some short-term actions which will help keep your cows cool:
• Keep your troughs clean. Cows will drink more and feel cooler.
• Install an extra trough along the exit race of the cow shed.
• Offer cows more pasture to graze overnight when they are cooler.
PLANNING FOR NEXT SUMMER
Were your short-term actions enough to keep your cows cool? If not, here are some long-term actions to consider:
• Develop a tree-planting plan to increase shade. You might be able to achieve multiple outcomes, including biodiversity and carbon capture.
• Install a sprinkler system or fans at the cow shed. Keeping the shed cool will improve the comfort of your cows and people.
• Use flexible milking routines to reduce the number of afternoon milkings. For information on the potential trade-offs of this approach, see dairynz.co.nz/flexible-milking Article supplied by DairyNZ
Autumn can still throw in some hot days, so keep an eye on the weather and your cows.
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Wise words from the wise guy: summer management
Darren Sutton ■
FROM THE FULLY-IRRIGATED farms of the south, to the heat and humidity of the dryland typically seen in the north, plans and techniques to manage through summer will vary from region-to-region.
However there remain some general principles and methods that are common to nearly all dairy farmers, and below are some key points to consider as the sun and wind take over from the rain and cold.
PLAN & REVIEW:
The goal is to keep as many cows in milk for as long as possible into autumn, and then reassess the changing situation regularly.
This must be done so long as it does not impact on the performance of the business next season (such as risking low average pasture cover, APC, and low body condition score, BCS).
Have a plan in place early and revise it every two weeks as dry conditions, and other variables, change.
Think about how you will adjust during these changes and write your ideas down.
PUSH FEED FORWARD:
Planning in spring to grow some summer crops can be a way of pushing quality summer feed from the springtime (of surplus grass) to a time when it’s needed more, and letting the cows do the harvesting.
Otherwise less crop area sprayed out should mean more grass silage harvested on farm.
Meanwhile, targeting poorperforming paddocks for summer crops can also improve the overall performance of the pastures.
Tactical use of nitrogen in December – to build APC higher and allow for rounds to be lengthened – is a proven method to push feed into
Darren Sutton
Ways to manage through summer varies from one region to the next but tried and true principles remain the same for most.
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IMMUNITY SUPPORTS
SUPPORTS SUPPORTS SUPPORTS
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a time of higher need.
STOCKING RATE:
Stocking rates need to be reduced where possible from February onward.
This can be done by culling cows that you won’t be keeping for next season.
You can also cull or dry off any cows that are drying themselves off and now gaining excessive condition.
Anything producing fewer than 0.5MS per day (5 litres) must be questioned (i.e. she’s likely to be consuming valuable supplements that she’s not providing a good return on – those supplements are betterdirected to cows doing 1.5-2MS per day).
When you have done your final pregnancy test you will know which cows are empty.
It may be best to drop these first to save feed for the in-calf cows.
Space at the works can jam up, so slowly dropping cows every two weeks can alleviate that.
ROTATION LENGTH:
Most non-irrigated farms in summer will be on at least a 30-day round length through summer (irrigated may be able to hold at 21-25 days).
The maxim, ‘the drier the drought, the longer the round length’ holds true.
A slower round length allows for higher average pasture covers, which reduces the amount of evapotranspiration.
It also helps when droughtbreaking rains arrive to maximise re-growth rates.
When it finally rains (50mm-plus) after a dry period on non-irrigated farms, a lot of the pasture will rot quickly and will reduce cow intakes further; this can be expected for 3-4 weeks while the pastures get growing again.
To help reduce the fall in milk production at this time, try to save some grass silage that you can feed to replace the ‘melting’ pasture.
VARIABLE MILKING FREQUENCIES:
Milking once-a-day (OAD), three times in two days, or seven-in-ten are all options that will help keep as
many cows as possible milking for longer into the summer and autumn (before drying off decisions have to be made).
Most cows will naturally partition energy away from milk production and will hold or gain some BCS.
Every eight weeks on OAD will provide an additional 0.25 BCS on cows, compared to continuing to milk twice-a-day.
Feeding levels should not be dropped when going onto OAD, but should actually be lifted for the first week to reduce the production drop.
SUPPLEMENTS:
Ring-fence any supplements that you know you will need for winter first, then think about what you have on-hand and how this will be best fed out.
The cheapest and most readily available feed is currently palm kernel (PK), and the economics of this in a feed deficit stacks up (with PK costing about 45 cents landed and fed per kg of DM).
When cows are grazing to a 1500 residual or less, expect a 70-100g
milksolid response per kg of dry matter (DM) eaten. Therefore, there is a strong-enough margin that should allow for marginal feeding costs to be covered (when working on a $9 milk price).
Usually energy is all that is needed when considering cost-effective supplements, but on dryland farms the crude protein (CP) levels in the pasture can drop in very dry conditions, maybe to less than 16% CP.
At this level there will be some milk response to feeding a supplement that has higher CP, which may also help reduce fat evaluation index (FEI) grading issues.
Palm kernel is about 16% CP, so it only holds its own.
Maize silage is 8-9% CP, so this drops the total CP in the diet, but is still worth feeding when cows are at risk of being underfed.
You can look to add protein feeds to your PKE mixes, but these products quickly lift the cost.
SACRIFICE PADDOCK
If the dry does turn into a drought, reducing overgrazing of pastures will Stocking rates need to be reduced where possible from February onward.
become imperative.
A great way to avoid overgrazing is to milk the cows into their allocation of 12 or 24 hours of pasture, and when a 1500-1600kg DM/ha residual has been achieved, move the cows onto a sacrificial paddock where supplements can be fed to them.
Cows can remain in the paddock until the next milking (or you can do this in reverse, when the cows can get all their pasture at night).
Perhaps the best paddock to
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sacrifice will be a poorer performing one that needs renovating, but good water and shade are also very important.
Replacements
Remember to keep an eye on your replacements out at grazing.
If your farm is drying out there is a good chance that so too is your grazier’s farm (out of sight should not mean out of mind!).
The summer and autumn months
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are often when good calves turn into below-target R1s.
Don’t assume. Go and check, and work out a plan if needed to protect them through the dry. Keep the communication lines open with your grazier.
Take the time to write your plan of what actions you will take and by when. And seek help if you need help planning these out.
• Darren Sutton is LIC FarmWise manager
Ring-fence any supplements that you know you will need for winter first.
Why does mineral bioavailability matter?
DIFFERENT FORMS OF MINERALS
THE HEALTH AND productivity of dairy cows mean the difference between a successful or struggling dairy operation, and these can be significantly influenced by proper mineral supplementation.
While the necessity of minerals is widely accepted among dairy farmers, farmers do not put enough importance on the form of the mineral being supplemented and the important role this can play in achieving uptake and functionality. Understanding the differences between various mineral forms will give farmers an edge when choosing the correct mineral supplements to drive animal performance.
Minerals can be purchased in several forms, each with varying levels of absorption and utilisation. The two main categories are inorganic and organic (chelated).
Inorganic minerals
This category is the most used and includes forms like sulphates, oxides, chlorides, and carbonates. While cost-effective, their bioavailability is typically lower, meaning cows might not absorb them efficiently. For example, copper sulphate is widely used but not as readily absorbed or targeted as the chelated forms. This reduced absorption can mean higher doses are required to meet the cow’s nutritional needs, potentially leading to negative interaction with rumen
microflora, negative interaction with other minerals, and poor translocation within the body, all leading to increased excretion (wastage).
Inorganic minerals are more susceptible to antagonistic interactions within the digestive system. For instance, the presence of high levels of iron or sulphur in the diet can interfere with the absorption of copper, reducing its efficacy even further. Therefore, while inorganic minerals are a cost-effective choice, their lower bioavailability and potential for nutrient interaction must be carefully managed.
ORGANIC MINERALS
Organic minerals are bound to organic molecules, such as amino
Chris Balemi ■
Understanding the differences between various mineral forms will give farmers an edge when choosing the correct mineral supplements to drive animal performance.
“As a farm we want to reduce our SCC. ShutOut® has been a great partner in that process, and we will continue to use it.”
James Stewart, 800 cows, Manawatū
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acids. This binding increases their stability and absorption compared to inorganic forms. Zinc glycinate is an example where zinc is attached to the amino acid glycine, making it more bioavailable and beneficial for cow health, reproduction, and milk production. Research indicates that organic minerals can significantly improve immune function, hoof health, and overall productivity.
The superior bioavailability and body storage of organic minerals means cows can achieve optimal health benefits with lower dosages, reducing the risk of nutrient imbalances and minimising environmental impact. Organic minerals are more efficiently translocated and stored throughout the body. They tend to store in every cell of the body rather than just specific organs, and they also tend to be more palatable to cows, encouraging consistent intake and improving the overall efficiency of the diet.
CHELATED MINERALS
Chelated minerals are bound to chelating agents, often amino acids or peptides. These form a stable structure that improves absorption. These forms, like zinc chelate or copper chelate, are highly bioavailable, ensuring cows can utilise them effectively, even at lower doses. Chelated minerals offer better protection against potential antagonisation from other minerals in the diet, making them particularly useful in complex feed formulations.
Studies have shown chelated minerals can improve reproductive performance, enhance growth rates, and boost immune response.
Their stability in the digestive tract allows for more predictable absorption and utilisation, leading to more consistent health outcomes. While chelated minerals can be more expensive, lower rates can be used in order to achieve higher efficiency and
effectiveness.
WHY BIOAVAILABILITY MATTERS
Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a nutrient that is absorbed and utilised by the body. Mineral supplements with high bioavailability mean cows receive the full benefit of the nutrients, leading to several advantages:
1. Effective utilisation: Highly bioavailable minerals are better absorbed, reducing the need for high dosages and minimising waste. This efficiency is important in ensuring cows get the necessary nutrients without overloading their systems or causing imbalances.
2. Cost-effectiveness: Although minerals with high bioavailability might have a higher initial cost, their higher efficiency often results in overall cost savings. Farmers can reduce feed costs and improve herd health, leading to better productivity and profitability.
3. Health benefits: Better absorption of minerals supports essential bodily functions. For example, adequate copper levels for enzyme function and immune response, and zinc for skin health and reproductive performance. Higher bioavailability means these minerals contribute effectively to the cow’s overall health.
4. Environmental impact: Efficient mineral absorption means fewer excess minerals are excreted into the environment. This waste reduction contributes to more sustainable farming practices.
5. Predictable performance: Minerals with high bioavailability provide more consistent results, leading to better management of herd health and productivity. Farmers can rely on these supplements to deliver the expected benefits, supporting their ability to maintain a healthy and productive herd.
By choosing the right forms of minerals, farmers can significantly improve the health and productivity of their dairy herds. We use highly bioavailable mineral supplements to ensure Kiwi dairy cows receive the best nutrition for optimal performance.
• Chris Balemi is Agvance Nutrition founder and managing director
Mineral supplements with high bioavailability mean cows receive the full benefit of the nutrients
New tools to manage FE are on their way
NEW TOOLS TO manage facial eczema are on the way, but until then there are strategies farmers can adopt to limit the impact of the damaging liver condition.
To respond to the growing challenge of facial eczema (FE), DairyNZ is supporting the $20 million Eliminating Facial Eczema Impact (EFEI) project, led by Beef+Lamb NZ, with co-funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector partners. This cross-sector project is working on new tools and solutions, intending to eliminate FE from New Zealand livestock altogether. If successful, it will achieve a world first.
FE is caused by the ingestion of sporidesmin, a toxin produced by strains of the fungus Pseudopithomyces chartarum, which sits in the litter at the base of pasture. While it’s named for the clinical signs often seen on the face of affected sheep and cattle, the real damage is being done to the liver. This liver damage can occur without cows showing any visible signs. Research indicates that for every clinical case, there will be 10 cows with subclinical FE.
FE risks increase with warmer temperatures as spore counts
increase, typically between January and May. Managing FE isn’t new to North Island farmers, however, the fungus that causes FE is also being found further south than it used to,
and climate change predictions show this is likely to continue.
Breeding companies are also developing genetic solutions for dairy farmers. FE-tolerant sires are now
Facial eczema risks increase with warmer temperatures as spore counts increase.
available from all major breeding companies. Genetic tolerance has the advantage of being permanent and cumulative. If you’re in a high-FE challenge area, ask your breeding company for more information.
STARTING MONITORING EARLY TO MANAGE THE RISK
While new solutions are being developed, there are existing FE prevention strategies and actions you can take now, such as spore count monitoring in pasture, zinc-dosing cows, and spraying pasture with fungicides.
To help farmers with the first step to managing FE, DairyNZ has sponsored the Awanui Facial Eczema Portal. From January to May, hundreds of spore counts are provided from vet clinics to Awanui, allowing it to report on regional spore count trends. You can use this as an early indicator to start monitoring your own paddocks, and to keep an eye on spore trends for your youngstock if they’re grazed off farm. It is
While new solutions are being developed, there are existing FE prevention strategies and actions you can take now.
STEPS TO MANAGING FACIAL ECZEMA USING ZINC
• Monitor regional spore counts – when they start to exceed 20,000 spores/g pasture begin testing your own paddocks
• Monitor farm spore counts – choose four paddocks representative of the farm. Begin treating with zinc at around 30,000 spores/g
• Know your herd liveweight – weigh a sample of 20 cows to work out the average and calculate the zinc dose required
• Begin zinc dosing – talk to your vet about the best product for your farm and herd
not only high spore counts that pose a threat; consistent exposure to low spore counts may also result in liver damage.
You can check your management programme is working by bloodtesting 10 cows for zinc and GGT levels (which indicates liver damage) three weeks after zinc dosing starts. Since 2022, Fonterra suppliers have had the additional option of using ZincCheck, a bulk milk test to indicate whether the majority of the
herd have reached the zinc serum level needed to protect from FE. If you suspect you have cows affected by FE, provide access to shade and remove pasture from their diet.
To reduce your risk of being impacted by FE this summer, discuss your prevention plan for your herd and youngstock with your veterinarian.
Visit dairynz.co.nz/facial-eczema for more information
Probiotics: a profitable solution for reducing emission intensity
THE PRESSURE ON farmers to reduce emissions continues to mount and for most farmers new targets will be difficult to achieve with many just hoping for a breakthrough solution, such as a feed additive to curb methane production.
However, solutions often come with trade-offs: high costs, reduced productivity, or significant operational changes.
Probiotic additives are costeffective and can improve emission
intensity by enhancing productivity. We haven’t emphasised this much before because I’ve always challenged the notion that livestock significantly contribute to climate change.
Basic science shows that grazing animals emit no more carbon than what plants absorb through photosynthesis. In addition to this, all methane is broken down in the atmosphere into carbon dioxide, mainly by ultraviolet radiation, so it should not be highlighted as an issue. Unfortunately, people who set emissions targets overlook this natural cycle.
But with increasing pressure from markets and financial institutions, adopting cost-effective strategies to reduce emissions intensity is a great first step.
Tests conducted at Lincoln University on our product showed a significant 22% improvement in acetate levels, indicating enhanced fibre digestion. While improved digestion boosts productivity, it typically has only minor effects on methane emissions as increasing production results in increased methane emissions. Still, the overall
Chris Collier, Probiotic Revolution
Chris Collier ■
focus should be on improving productivity to reduce emission intensity.
LOWER REPLACEMENT RATES
In dairy herds replacement rates often exceed 22%. Replacement rates affect the age structure and genetic merit of the herd and modelling at Massey has indicated that replacement rates of around 20% are likely to maximise farm profitability. However, others would view a target replacement rate of 15% as the most desirable rate. To profitably reduce replacement rates there has to be a reduction in culling from empty cows, health issues and preventable deaths - a challenge probiotics are uniquely equipped to address.
The first step to achieving this is to raise bigger heifers. We want to see heifers reach the same liveweight as mature cows by calving, so that their submission rates are the same as mature cows. To get there we must start growing young calves faster. With probiotic additive, farmers can feed higher rates of milk without getting nutritional scours. Typically, we aim to get cross-bred calves to 6-litres once a day after a week of age. Survey results show weaning target weights were achieved two weeks earlier and invariably there was superior growth after weaning. We are setting up the right microbes in the rumen and boosting immunity so that they are better able to cope
with disease challenges such as worm burdens.
ENHANCING MATING PERFORMANCE
Probiotics also support better reproductive outcomes, helping to lower empty rates to 5%. Empty rates will vary due to factors such as the length of mating and use of sexed semen, so a better indication of mating performance is the 6-week in-calf rate. The key drivers of the 6-week in-calf rate are: the 3-week submission rate, non-return rate and conception rate.
Factors that are critical to achieving good submission rates are heifer liveweights at calving and cow condition score. Farmers are achieving exceptional results, such as cows cycling 26 days after calving compared to the national average of 42 days. This accelerates mating success, surpassing Dairy NZ’s target of 90% submission within three weeks. Improved conception rates naturally follow, because if nearly all cows are cycling before mating starts, they will be conceiving to the 2nd cycle which has a 7% higher conception rate than matings to the first cycle, and conception rates increase again at the third or fourth heats.
The link between the use of probiotics and rapid cycling of cows after calving comes from having heavier heifers at calving, better overall cow
condition score, and the vital role probiotics are playing in minimising health issues at calving - including negligible retained membranes and metritis, as well as substantially less difficult calvings.
REDUCING MASTITIS CULLS
Mastitis culls, a significant issue for many farms, can also be addressed with probiotics. Culling rates for mastitis vary considerably from low levels to very high - when farmers need to eliminate a Staph Aureus infection. With probiotics alone, some farmers have achieved over 80% cure rates for mastitis and reduced somatic cell counts while keeping mastitisrelated cull rates to as low as 1%.
A SUSTAINABLE PATH FORWARD
Probiotics offer a practical, profitable way for farmers to improve emission intensity by:
• Enhancing feed conversion efficiency.
• Improving herd health and immunity.
• Reducing replacement rates by lowering empties and mastitis culls.
For many farmers, these benefits align with both profitability and sustainability goals, offering a viable way to adapt to increasing demands for emissions reductions without compromising productivity.
• Chris Collier is the managing director of Probiotic Revolution
Factors that are critical to achieving good submission rates are heifer liveweights at calving and cow condition score.
Advice, tools to tackle seasonal challenges
EACH SEASON BRINGS something new, with rain, wind or shine bringing fresh challenges and opportunities to consider how to best handle conditions on farm.
Over the past decade DairyNZ has undertaken research and science focused on developing tools and advice to help farmers with those key seasonal changes and challenges.
Right now, the longer days and warmth signal that it’s time to be looking ahead and planning for the summer months on farm.
In all forms of weather, good care of people and animals is always the number one priority. Careful planning and proactive management will ensure their wellbeing throughout the next season. The heat can be wonderful for mind and body, and cricket on the beach, but of course it also heralds a different way of managing your farm compared to the cooler months.
Over the past decade DairyNZ has undertaken science and research focused on developing tools and advice to help farmers with those key seasonal challenges.
We have pulled together a range of Summer Smarts tools and resources to support you and your farm business over the next few months.
REDUCING HEAT STRESS:
Cows can start to feel heat stress at temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, which many of us humans would find quite comfortable, rather than excessively hot.
But with the heat affecting cows within such a common summer temperature range, every region in New Zealand gets hot enough to cause heat stress over summer. Heat stress occurs when cows can’t get rid of excess heat, leading to discomfort and reducing milk production.
You will notice your cows breathe faster, graze less, drink more, and
move slower in warm weather.
You can work with your farm team to ensure they recognise the signs and take action to prevent heat stress, including:
• Providing shade
• Ensuring a good water supply for drinking and cooling
• Adjusting milking times and routine
• Managing what you feed your cows and when
ADJUST NITROGEN USE IN SUMMER:
The heat in summer isn’t just affecting your people and animals. A dry summer will also affect the work of nitrogen-based fertilisers.
As lower soil moisture and increasing temperatures limit grass growth, the response to nitrogen fertiliser is also reduced. Therefore, it’s important to evaluate your timing and application to get it right, helping increase efficiency and minimising nitrogen loss from your farm.
The key tip for summer nitrogen use is to remember it is a growth multiplier. Application rates and timing should coincide with paddock growth from alternative species or increased moisture levels due to soil type or paddock aspect.
CONSIDERING THE BEST MILKING INTERVAL:
When I say flexible milking, you may automatically think about oncea-day milking, but it refers to varied milking schedules beyond the usual once or twice a day.
Adjust milking frequency according to changing conditions. It can help extend the grazing rotation in mid-lactation, reduce stress on cows, decrease work hours and provide more flexibility for your farm team.
Previous research has shown that, depending on how flexible milking is used, it can have minimal impact on production, while providing the
The heat can be wonderful for mind and body, and cricket on the beach, but of course it also heralds a different way of managing your farm compared to the cooler months.
benefits I have mentioned.
Think about if there is another milking schedule that helps achieve your milk production goals, while gaining other benefits for you, your team and your cows.
YOUNG STOCK MANAGEMENT:
One of the biggest improvements in many herds comes from an increasing focus of young-stock management from weaning to first calving, since well-grown heifers are known to be more successful milking cows.
Your young stock have the best genetics in your herd. Giving them the best start to their productive life will unlock their potential, having a positive effect on their future lactation and maximising your investment.
There are a range of aspects to consider but focus on meeting weightfor-age targets and create a plan to ensure they grow at the required rate to meet them. The future of your farm starts with your young stock –keeping a focus on weight gain, worm burden and mineral requirements gives them the best change of high performance in the future.
View DairyNZ’s SummerSmarts collection at dairynz.co.nz/summersmarts and keep an eye for DairyNZ’s tailored sets of tools and resources every season.
Article supplied by DairyNZ
Applying the right amount at the right time
Good effluent management is a combination of having a welldesigned effluent system and processes for people that make sure the effluent the system collects is applied to pasture in the right amount at the right time.
TO ACHIEVE THIS, the system must reliably:
• Store effluent until conditions are suitable to apply it to land, and
• Apply effluent to land in a controlled way – at a depth and intensity which match the soil moisture and infiltration conditions and topography.
On-farm benefits of good effluent management include:
• Fertiliser savings by using the nutrients in effluent, and reducing
nutrient losses off the farm.
• Preventing animal-health issues such as milk fever which can be caused by a build-up of potassium (K) levels in the soil
• Improved soil condition from the addition of organic matter, including microbial and worm activity, as well as aeration, drainage and water holding capacity
• Complying with council rules or resource consent, this may lead to less frequent compliance visits and
reduced monitoring fees.
The design and construction of an effective dairy effluent system is a complex process. It requires the assistance of experts who are qualified and experienced in the field. Communication with the system designers, installers and contractors will be crucial to ensure the end result is fit-for-purpose in your farming situation. A good effluent service provider will offer:
• certainty that their product will perform
• guarantees and producer statements
• after-sales care, service and support, and
• farm team training on the
Apply effluent to land in a controlled way.
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operation and maintenance of the system.
Designers and installers should be involved in the project from start to finish supervising the quality and standard of workmanship during the installation and commissioning of the system. They should be willing to stand by their work.
A poorly designed system will be expensive and frustrating in the long term, particularly for the farm team. Like milking too many cows through a dairy, it can be done, but it takes longer and the likelihood of fatigue, breakdown and general frustration is extremely high.
A system which is poorly designed may result in problems such as:
• high risk of non-compliance with regional council requirements
• no contingency for adverse weather events, staff absence or
system breakdown
• high demand on labour and time
• expensive to operate and maintain
• the need to irrigate on days when ponding, runoff, and leaching risk is high
• additional pressure on the farm team during calving or wet weather
• unrealised investment in the system if it is not user-friendly or doesn’t achieve compliance, and • little room for future expansion.
It is important to think about potential changes to the farm system, especially intensification, including an increase in cow numbers, greater use of stand-off and feed pads or the addition of wintering facilities. If these are desired but finances don’t allow you to accommodate these now, plan for a staged expansion to the system as you require it. Get the
system designed with the changes in mind – it can save a big expenditure in the future.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF AN EFFLUENT SYSTEM
Storm water diversion
Storm water diversion is when rainfall that has landed on an effluent free yard (including any pad etc.) can be safely diverted away from the effluent storage pond. It is an effective way to reduce the volume of water that can be added to the pond in rainfall events, especially if you are not milking. This has savings via decreased pumping costs, less time staff are irrigating diluted effluent, and less risk of having to irrigate when soils are wet.
There are a huge number of stormwater diversion designs available,
The design and construction of an effective dairy effluent system is a complex process.
• We are well established being the leading provider of water measuring systems
• Reliable leading global equipment
•
people
including manual and mechanical. Regardless of design, care needs to be taken to manage the stormwater diversion correctly. Installing an automatic facility or warning devices is advised. Farms located in high rainfall areas would benefit from a stormwater diversion.
Farmers may choose to only use stormwater diversion at times of the year when not milking. If using regularly during the milking season it is essential that robust systems are in place to ensure mistakes are not made.
STONE TRAP
Stone traps are designed to slow down and redirect the flow of effluent so sand, stones and debris can drop out.
This will prevent blockages in the effluent pipe work, pumps, storage
facilities and applicators. Stone traps are generally made of concrete and have a wide base which slopes down toward the pumping or draining end.
The inlet is normally well above and on the opposite side/end of the stone trap to the outlet.
The solids that accumulate in the stone trap need to be regularly removed onto a sealed surface located directly beside the stone trap which drains any liquid back to the stone trap. The solids should be applied evenly to land.
Not all systems need a stone trap, but it is highly recommended. Systems which use weeping walls or two-pond systems which use the first pond as a separation system may be exceptions.
PUMP STATION
The pump station’s purpose is to
transfer effluent from one location to another. Where possible it is better and more cost effective to use gravity to move effluent.
Pump stations may be required to get effluent to storage and are definitely required to transfer effluent from storage to the applicator. There are a wide range of options available for transfer pumps including different types, sizes and capabilities.
It is important that your pump specifications match the system specifications and the outcomes required, to ensure your effluent system works effectively.
SOLIDS SEPARATOR
Solid separation involves the removal of coarse solids from the effluent resulting in a liquid effluent which is stored until use.
Using solid separation in the
Get the system designed with the changes in mind – it can save a big expenditure in the future.
system will mean there is less liquid to be stored and storage facilities may require de-sludging less frequently. The removal of solids also allows the liquid effluent to be applied through any type of applicator.
Low rate and mainline centre pivot systems must have a solids separator or some sort of inline filtration to prevent blockage on smaller applicator orifices. Solid separation should
be considered when operating a feed pad or high feed input system as the amount of solids in the effluent is greatly increased in these systems.
Technology ‘fail safe’ technologies suitable to various application methods can be built into your system
These can include:
• pond or sump level alarms
• traveller motion alarms
• variable rate irrigation on pivots
• software for planning, monitoring and recording effluent management
• integrated telemetry and data logging systems for soil moisture deficit monitoring
• cut-out switches on pumps
• pump pressure and flow rate meters
• anti-siphon valve at pond
• anti-drain valve at paddock
Article - DairyNZ
Ensure your effluent system works effectively.
What to consider when investing in effluent storage
INVESTING IN EFFLUENT storage
is a significant decision on-farm, so it’s worth taking the time to carefully plan what is needed to ensure the right design for your farm.
CURRENT AND FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
The first thing to consider when planning effluent storage is to think about how you currently farm and whether anything will change in future.
For example, if you’re currently an owner-operator but are planning to step back and get a manager, will that affect your plans? Or if you’re planning to expand your farm or herd – will the effluent storage pond be future proofed to cope with those changes?
An effluent system can be tailored to suit a farm’s requirements. Let your system designer and installer know your needs during the initial design discussion and keep your effluent system as simple as possible –this makes it easy for staff to understand and manage.
DairyNZ has a farm dairy effluent system planning guide with a table of options to share with your designer, see dairynz.co.nz/effluent-system.
CHOOSE AN ACCREDITED DESIGNER
Designing and installing farm dairy effluent systems is a technical job requiring specialist knowledge.
As with a number of trades, an accreditation system is in place for effluent design.
Accredited providers are trained
effluent system specialists who understand and follow the Farm Dairy Effluent (FDE) Code of Practice and design standards when designing and installing systems.
DairyNZ established the accreditation programme. Look for the green tick logo when selecting a dairy effluent system company. A full list of accredited FDE companies is available online at effluentaccreditation.co.nz .
GATHER YOUR CORE INFORMATION
When planning effluent storage, work with your designer to create one that’s suited to your needs and property. Some things to discuss and provide information on include:
• consent requirements
• soil type (soils can be either high
An effluent system can be tailored to suit a farm’s requirements
It’s a good idea to have a little more storage than your calculations show.
or low risk for effluent application)
• daily water use in the farm dairy
• your budget
• your farm management and how you want to apply effluent
• the pond site – including distance from the cow shed and line of sight to houses
• your preferences for the storage type
• effluent solids management
• safety management
• siting the electricity connection.
To ensure that everyone is clear, check that the quote includes key requirements above such as the site, pond type, storage capacity and electricity.
CALCULATE HOW MUCH STORAGE IS NEEDED
Your designer can calculate how much effluent storage is needed, based on factors including location, soil type, effluent application, shed type and water use.
A report can show you how this figure was calculated – regional councils usually prefer to see the calculation to ensure the storage meets regional rules or resource consent conditions. Some councils will only accept system design and storage calculations from an FDE accredited company.
It’s a good idea to have a little more storage than your calculations show. The Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator will give the best results on-farm by allowing for deferred irrigation and ensure you don’t run out of space.
If you want an independent storage calculation, an FDE accredited company that is not a product supplier or a Dairy Effluent Warrant of Fitness assessor can provide this service – see effluentaccreditation.co.nz and www. effluentwof.co.nz
TRAINING YOUR TEAM TO USE YOUR NEW SYSTEM
Ask your designer or installer for an operations and maintenance manual for your new system. They may also offer your team training on using the system.
CHECK THE GUIDE!
DairyNZ has summarised the key things to think about when planning or upgrading an effluent system, visit dairynz.co.nz/effluent
When Reliability Matters.
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Photo courtesy of Riversun Nursery
Trade credit insurance
– how it will safeguard your dairy operations
Mark Hoppe ■
AGRICULTURE IS PIVOTAL to New Zealand’s economy, contributing significantly to export revenue and employment.
New Zealand is a world leader in the dairying industry, exporting approximately 95% of its total milk production and contributing billions to the economy each year. New Zealand is the largest manufacturer and exporter of whole milk powder in the world, and accounts for 30% of the world’s internationally traded dairy products.
The industry remains robust and competitive and looks to evolve in response to global market demands and environmental considerations. A focus on sustainability, innovation and market diversification will be crucial for maintaining a competitive edge
in the market. For medium to large enterprises, opportunities exist in areas such as technology integration, sustainable production methods and value-added processing.
As a dairy farmer, you’re likely all too familiar with the risks and uncertainties that come with running a dairy operation. From unpredictable weather patterns to fluctuating milk prices, the challenges can seem overwhelming. However, there’s a powerful tool that can help mitigate these risks and ensure the continued success of your operation. That is trade credit insurance.
We [Atradius] recently released the New Zealand Agriculture & Forestry Snapshot Report. In this report, we discussed the risks and challenges facing the industry. These risks and challenges include:
• adverse weather
• global warming
• global geopolitical events: Russian-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine wars
• politics and economic downturn
• high inflation and cost of living increases
• increasing energy prices
• quarantine cost rises due to increased quarantine measures
• global pandemic outbreaks and diseases
• interrupted supply chains
• environmental regulations tightening across the globe
• oil price increases
• interest rate rises.
Here we look at how trade credit insurance helps dairy farmers manage the ongoing risks and challenges. Securing the future of New Zealand’s dairy farming industry relies on dairy farmers staying in operation, and this
Farmers are all too familiar with the risks and uncertainties that come with running a dairy operation.
means implementing strategies to withstand tough times.
Dairying in New Zealand is predominately pasture based, which helps the industry keep its production costs low. This means the industry is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters including floods and droughts. The risk of costs signifi-
cantly increasing is high. Torrential rain recently saw the North Island’s Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne regions heavily impacted.
The South Island has also been hit by flooding events this year. On the other hand, the El Nino weather pattern brings warmer, drier conditions which affects pasture growth,
particularly in the North Island where more than half of New Zealand’s dairy herd is located. Severe weather events are becoming more frequent as climate change intensifies.
Whilst trade credit insurance can’t prevent floods or droughts, it can provide a financial safety net that helps your business recover more
Get the knowledge you need to talk confidently to your agronomist or seed retailer. ForageSelect coming soon. With the new ForageSelect app, you can explore all the leading forage seed cultivars from every company, and access powerful tools to boost your farm’s productivity. With expert agronomic information, seed selectors and calculators at your fingertips, you’ll have everything you need together to make the best decisions for your farm.
Trade credit insurance helps dairy farmers manage the ongoing risks and challenges.
quickly from these events.
The dairy industry is not immune to global economic fluctuations. It is currently experiencing financial strain due to the current economic pressures and volatile milk prices. Farmgate milk prices have decreased since 2022, placing extra pressure on dairy farmers.
Slower consumption growth and increased Chinese milk supply has put downward pressure on global dairy prices. The forecast farmgate milk price range by Fonterra for the 2024/2025 season is $9.50 – $10.50/ kgMS. While this is an improvement, it still leaves many farmers struggling to cover increased production costs.
The projected forecast is for these prices to increase over the next four years, but having trade credit insurance will ensure peace of mind while navigating these challenging times.
The increased costs of fertiliser and fodder is placing dairy farmers under considerable financial strain. Herd numbers are declining, which reduces milk production and affects global export revenue. Maintaining a steady cash flow is more important than ever.
Trade credit insurance helps ensure that you receive timely payments, allowing you to better manage these rising costs.
Geopolitical events, such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, continue to disrupt global supply chains. A few years ago, the blockage of the Suez Canal disrupted milk powder supply to Europe, one of New Zealand’s largest dairy export destinations along with China and the US. Recent changes in governments and the continuing civil wars and unrest across the world, will continue to create uncertainty in international markets.
There is an increasing emphasis on adopting sustainable farming methods to meet global demand for environmentally friendly products. New Zealand’s world leading farm management practices and strict biosecurity arrangements ensure dairy animals are healthy, free of disease, and treated with the best standards of care. As environmental regulations tighten across the globe, dairy farmers face new challenges and costs.
The industry is exploring opportu-
nities in areas including technology to improve efficiency and productivity. Automatic milking systems (AMS) are becoming more common throughout New Zealand. Who would have thought 20 years ago that robots would be milking your cows one day? All this comes with a hefty cost though.
Over recent years, there has been a focus on developing value-added dairy products to increase profit margins and meet changing consumer preferences. Sheep and goat milk production is increasing, and there is potential in the development of high-value, consumer-ready products such as probiotics, molecular proteins, pharmaceutical, and nutritional products.
THE KEY RISKS THAT TRADE CREDIT INSURANCE COVERS
Trade credit insurance provides crucial protection for dairy farmers against several specific risks, particularly in times of economic uncertainty and industry challenges. It is becoming increasingly important to protect against non-payment risks and to maintain financial stability
The industry is exploring opportunities in areas including technology to improve efficiency and productivity.
throughout challenging economic times.
INSOLVENCY OF BUYERS
Trade credit insurance protects dairy farmers if their customers become insolvent.
This is particularly relevant given the global nature of the New Zealand dairy trade.
China, the US, and Europe, the three main export destinations, all have the potential for economic downturns in the market, affecting the buyers’ ability to pay.
POLITICAL EVENTS
For dairy farmers engaged in international trade, political risks can significantly impact their business. Trade credit insurance can cover losses due to government actions that prevent payment transfers from the buyer’s country.
War, civil unrest, and other political events all disrupt trade.
PROTRACTED DEFAULT
Trade credit insurance can protect against extended delays in payment beyond the agreed credit terms. This is crucial for dairy farmers because it helps maintain cash flow stability, which is essential for covering ongoing operational costs and managing debt obligations. The insurance provides protection against the financial strain caused by delayed payments.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
Trade credit insurance protects your dairy business against non-payment or insolvency of your customers. In an industry where large quantities of produce are often sold on credit terms, this protection is invaluable. It ensures that you’ll receive payment for your milk, even if your customer defaults. This provides a stable cash flow allowing you to cover ongoing operational costs, invest in farm improvements, and meet your debt obligations.
IMPROVE ACCESS TO FINANCE
Many financial institutions view businesses with trade credit insurance more favourably. This can lead to better terms on loans and increased credit limits, providing you with greater financial flexibility to invest in your dairy farm and survive difficult periods.
As New Zealand’s dairy industry continues to evolve, trade credit insurance will play an increasingly important role in supporting its growth and sustainability.
As you navigate the complexities of modern dairy farming, consider how trade credit insurance can support your business goals and provide peace of mind in an unpredictable world.
It’s an investment in your farm’s future, ensuring that New Zealand’s dairy industry continues to thrive for generations to come.
• Mark Hoppe is managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Atradius
3G rollover opportunity to evaluate technology platforms on farms
THE UPCOMING SHUTDOWN
of the 3G network in New Zealand in 2025 means that any on-farm technology relying on this network will cease to function unless upgraded or replaced.
Farmers should take this opportunity to both assess the impact it will have on their operations as well as evaluate the alternatives available in the market.
There is a wide range of products that could be impacted from guidance systems to remote monitoring, security, irrigation and smart gates and fencing systems and even farms still using two-way radios could possibly be affected when the 3G network is shut down.
Given the potential impact of any of these systems going offline without a backup plan in place, farmers should be ensuring they have mapped out all the affected devices and begin
to evaluate what the plan for the upgrade looks like.
A simple way to start this process is to note down all the technology you use each day, populating a list that you can then confirm on the device or piece of equipment itself or contact the manufacturer or supplier to confirm.
Most companies are on the front foot advising their customers of the impending change and looking to upgrade existing equipment to new
Chloe Walker ■
Chloe Walker, Precision Farming, says farmers must be prepared for the upcoming shutdown of the 3G network.
4G or 5G capability.
This process also provides a time to consider what new technology is available in the marketplace, with many 3G devices procured several years ago, the opportunity to adopt new technology is being forced onto many farmers whether they like it or not. Fortunately, many new solutions have emerged and often these solutions are more future proofed by being app-based platforms that only rely on the connectivity of a smart phone.
The rise of ‘Software as a Service’ and cloud-based technology in recent years provides long term solutions,
built to evolve as networks and hardware advances. The other benefit of many of these products is a subscription based pricing model, spreading the licensing cost over time and eliminating the need for investment in new hardware.
Many of these solutions also offer free products that provide core functionality at no cost with the options to upgrade to access greater connectivity or features.
Cloud technology gives users the benefit of constant iterations to improve the products without the often years long holding pattern until more terrestrial technology is
required to be upgraded. With large data centres now providing reliably fast and secure access to data, the shift away from 3G will only add fuel to the already burning fire that increased connectivity brings. Our advice to farmers is to take the time to not only plan for the shutdown, but use the opportunity to evaluate what cheaper, faster or better designed alternatives may exist to do the jobs you need done. A small amount of expiration can potentially result in big savings both upfront and over the long term.
• Chloe Walker is managing director of Precision Farming
There is a wide range of products that could be impacted including irrigation systems.
The future of farm technology
DairyNZ, AgResearch and Fonterra have worked on the New Zealand Bioeconomy in a Digital Age (NZBIDA) programme.
DairyNZ team - principal scientist and programme lead Jenny Jago, senior scientists Kirsty Verhoek and Paul Edwards and scientist Charlotte Reed report:
AS FARMS GENERATE more data than ever before, the challenge is figuring out how to use it effectively and unlock its potential. Meanwhile, interest from customers and consumers worldwide is growing, particularly in how their food is produced and the quality of life of the animals involved.
Between 2020 and 2024, DairyNZ worked alongside AgResearch and Fonterra on the New Zealand Bioeconomy in a Digital Age (NZBIDA) programme.
This initiative explored how farmers could leverage digital technologies and data to improve farm
management and enhance animal care.
The programme aimed to understand how technology could offer insights into a cow’s daily experience to support positive animal wellbeing outcomes. We were also aware of the abundance of data available from different technologies, so we wanted to explore how it could help reduce the complexity of decision-making on farms.
There were several elements, including some initial background work led by Fonterra, to uncover what customers were seeking from a cow wellbeing perspective. Further
work explored the range of available technologies and their wellbeingrelated measurements, with a strong emphasis on wearable devices.
The three main projects focused on understanding cow wellbeing via digital technology, measuring and predicting heat stress in NZ dairy cows, and the potential for wearable data to aid in pasture management.
PROOF OF CONCEPT: USING WEARABLE DATA FOR PASTURE MANAGEMENT
Farmers in New Zealand are increasingly investing in wearable technology, with nearly one million cows now equipped with various devices. The data is typically used for monitoring individual animals to identify heat or health events, but we wanted to investigate what other insights could be generated from the data.
Initially we collaborated with a group of farmers and sector stakeholders to determine the focus of the research, which highlighted a desire to aid grazing management. Specifically, could animal sensor data give an indication of feed availability?
We carried out a controlled grazing experiment, dividing cows wearing five sensors across four herds (see Figure 1). These herds were given different amounts of pasture, from 80% to 120% of their estimated requirements, to see if these differences could be reflected in changes in the sensor data.
The data from the sensors was compared to measures such as pre-grazing pasture mass and postgrazing residual, which showed correlations, particularly with rumination time. Novel ‘cow’ behaviours calculated from animal location data, like how far the cows travelled and how close they were to their herd mates, were also good at explaining pasture mass.
Figure 1
Overall, the study demonstrated the potential of using animal sensors for grazing management, which could save time, reduce costs and alleviate the mental load on farmers. However, it’s still in the early stages and more research is needed to see how useful it is and how it can be applied in different farming situations.
We’ve shared the initial findings with the companies whose technologies were used in the experiment. The next step would be for commercial companies to invest in further research and development in this area.
MEASURING, PREDICTING HEAT STRESS
Heat stress occurs when cows have more heat load than they can release, it leads to discomfort and lower milk production. All dairy regions in New Zealand get hot enough to cause heat stress during summer.
The most common global measure
In addition, if we can forecast specific days and times when animals are most at risk, it will enable farmers to take a more strategic approach to reducing heat load.
for heat stress is the temperature humidity index (THI), which is relevant for situations where cows are housed indoors. But it is less applicable to our NZ pastoral systems since our cows are outdoors, exposed to the elements. A specific grazing heat load index (GHLI) had been developed to assess heat stress in pasture-based cows, incorporating factors like air temperature, solar radiation and wind speed.
Within the NZBIDA programme, we sought to strengthen the GHLI, which was initially developed using a Waikato dataset. Data was collected from 600 cows across seven farms, measuring weather variables such as temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind speed, alongside animalbased indicators like respiration rate, panting and rumen temperature. By including data from many locations, we have strengthened the GHLI. However, it is still challenging to predict heat stress in conditions such as high wind speed. As part of our future research focus, we hope to explore alternative modelling techniques that could help enhance the GHLI, providing farmers with a more accurate forecasting tool.
We know that animals vary in their susceptibility to heat stress, and sensor or wearable technology is helping us gain a deeper understanding of these differences.
In addition, if we can forecast
Auckland Stephen Pollard ........ Ph 021-963 166
Waikato & Wellington Lisa Wise .... Ph 027-369 9218
specific days and times when animals are most at risk, it will enable farmers to take a more strategic approach to reducing heat load. For example, if we discovered that only 20% of the herd need shade under certain conditions, we wouldn’t have to provide shade for the entire herd in those situations.
We found that the GHLI is a valuable tool for assessing heat stress risks in outdoor animals, helping farmers make informed decisions on managing heat stress effectively. The next round of research will delve deeper into opportunities for mitigating heat and becoming more strategic with mitigations.
Find out more about this research and heat stress at dairynz.co.nz/ heatstress.
NEXT STEPS: BUILDING A ‘CONNECTED’ FARM
The Connected Farm project is
exploring how integrating various data sources could support farm management.
As part of this, we’ve developed a proof-of-concept dashboard that consolidates information about both the cow and her environment. Our two partner farms in Waikato and Canterbury are currently testing the dashboard and collaborating with us to refine the concept.
The dashboard brings together learnings from across the programme. It was developed alongside farmers to determine the necessary data inputs, frequency and resolution needed to support on-farm decisions.
For example, it displays forecasted heat stress risk alongside details on water systems and paddock conditions, such as cover and shade availability, helping farmers better manage heat stress events. Actual weather data is shown alongside cow
behaviour, allowing farmers to see how their herd responds to environmental conditions.
A key focus is also understanding cows’ daily experiences.
To achieve this, data from various sources is compiled into a “time budget”, providing insight into how cows spend their time and what factors influence their behaviour.
So far, the project has shown there is value in combining different data streams.
However, building trust and confidence in the data is essential for effective use, and this takes time. As the Connected Farm project moves into the new season, our team and partner farms will continue exploring how to fully harness the potential of digital technology to support on-farm decisions.
Article: DairyNZ
The Connected Farm project is exploring how integrating various data sources could support farm management.
Compliant fuel storage facility on farm can save money, time
Mark Daniel Rural News Machinery Editor ■
WHILE WE ARE continually told that electricity is the fuel of the future, it will be a long time before petrol and diesel disappear and a very long time before, if ever, electrons will be the fuel that powers agriculture.
Access to fuel for farmers, contractors and rural dwellers is typically handled in several ways. If the property is close enough to town,
or if a weekly commute is part of the routine, supplies can be picked up at the local petrol station.
ATVs or side-by-sides generally get filled from jerry cans or drums, but there won’t be many people who have experienced or heard about fuel contamination, not least diesel engines being “munted” after being refuelled from empty Roundup drums containing residues of the product, that as well as being good at killing weeds, is also very good at killing engines.
At some point, the conversation turns to on-farm storage, which has benefits of saving time and money, with users being able to buy in bulk, removing the need for frequent trips to town and typically saving between 25 to 30 cents per litre.
Investing in storage may seem like a great expense at first reckoning, but that investment is likely to pay off over time, while also making users more compliant with the regulations
around storing large amounts of fuel in drums that, if overlooked, might see some problems with insurance cover.
There might also be benefits in monitoring fuel usage, particularly around “slippage” where not all fuel used can be accounted for - a potential problem if there are many people with access to supplies.
Once the decision to store fuel on-site has been made, as you would expect, there will be criteria to be met, not least site location, certification and issues around distance from buildings, neighbouring properties, roads and railways.
Bulk storage can cover a wide range of possibilities, from a ute-mounted tank of 200 litres or an on-site installation positioned above or in-ground, with capacities up to 100,000 litres. Mobile or stationary storage tanks are manufactured to many designs and will be subject to NZ government approval codes.
A stationary tank will not require internal baffles and can only be moved when empty. Such tanks are typically fixed to concrete pads with seismic anchors, meaning they can
be connected to boilers, generators or other similar plant and of course, can be used for re-fuelling. Meanwhile, transportable tanks will need to have certified tie-down points and feature integral surge baffles to minimise fuel movement, with capacities of up to 3000 litres legally allowed to be towed on-road.
Much of the regulation around storage centres around any potential leakage, with self-bunded tanks constructed using a double-skinned format, using an inner primary vessel encased by an outer secondary skin capable of holding the total volume of the primary tank, should a leak occur. A key benefit of this type of layout is the removal of the need for a surrounding concrete bund, that will be required in single-skin designs. A further benefit is that the tank can be relocated on-site or moved to a totally different location.
Rules applying to the use of singleskinned, non-bunded tanks state that sites have to be zoned as Rural, the property is a minimum size of 4 hectares and the maximum amount of petrol or diesel is capped at 2500 litres. Sites zoned Industrial or
Commercial can only store 1000 litres in non-bunded tanks.
A further point to consider before buying is the method of dispensing fuels, with a single-skinned tank compliant with legal non-bunded rules able to be used with a gravity outlet, for example, from an overhead tank. But all self-bunded or doubleskinned tanks must be used with a pump that pulls fuel from an outlet on the top of the tank. The second point is to help preserve the integrity of the self-bunded design.
Once a user is happy to go ahead with bulk storage, the next question is plastic or steel construction. Both offer different benefits or drawbacks, so it is important to understand the right tank for a specific situation. Key points include durability, maintenance, environmental impact, regulation and, of course, cost.
In the case of durability, steel is a clear winner, being strong, able to withstand adverse weather events and external damage. They are also more resistant to fire and explosion. In comparison, plastic tanks are more prone to damage in similar situations and might see degradation from UV
On farm fuelling made easy.
light. However, they are lightweight, making them easier to transport and install.
Regarding cost, plastic tanks are generally cheaper than comparable sized steel tanks because plastic is cheaper and the vessel is easier to construct. Steel is more expensive but will generally have a longer lifespan. Whatever the choice, both will require routine maintenance: in the case of steel, regular cleaning and painting to prevent corrosion or rust; while plastic tanks should only need cleaning to remove debris and sediment.
Once a choice is made, installation tends to be the same with both. Typically a flat, smooth area, preferably with a concrete pad
that has a bearing capacity for the tank, its contents and any ancillary equipment like pumps, pipework, and filters, as well as adequate wind and seismic protection.
Storing fuel brings with it some challenges, not least, excluding water from the vessel. It is well known that water can wreak havoc with fuel systems, particularly modern dieselfuelled vehicles and plant that operate with fine tolerances in the fuel pump and injector nozzles.
Understanding that fuel and water don’t mix is a key consideration, beyond the actual water that reduces the lubricity of the fuel, but also secondary problems like microbial growth, as the water provides a breeding ground for microbes, that
can lead to a slimey layer at the fuel and water interface that can clog filters and corrode equipment, both in vehicles, plant or the storage tank.
While any water can reduce combustion efficiency, it can cause additional problems, particularly during the winter months. In the case of diesel fuel, which naturally contains paraffin, a type of wax that starts to solidify at around 0 degrees C. At temperatures of -9 to -12 degrees C, the “waxing” becomes greater, to the point where it blocks filters and pipework as it forms a gel. The easiest way to prevent the problem is to store vehicles, and if possible, the fuel storage tanks, in an environment such as a large shed where the temperature is greater than 0 degrees C.
Steel fuel tank is more expensive but will generally have a longer lifespan.
If the problem is persistent, fuel additives might help, while timing deliveries from suppliers, to receive winter grade stock before the cold months is a better solution.
Preventing water ingress into the fuel might start with the basics of choosing a tank with a sloping floor, which allows water to settle to one
end to allow removal via a suction pipe. It is also worthwhile to invest in high-quality, durable seals for the tank’s inlet and outlet points, while proper tank ventilation can reduce internal humidity, lessening the risk of condensation and water build-up.
In addition, external covers for the filling and outlet points can also help
against water ingress, while it might also be beneficial to fit water sensors or alarms to warn against delivering contaminated water in machinery.
Rural News Group would like to thank Christchurch based Fuel Chief (www. fuelchief.co.nz or www.fuelchieftanks. com) for their help in composing this article.
Fuel stored on a farm in a plastic tank.
Keeping milking system clean and safe
KEEPING YOUR MILKING system clean and safe is an essential part of farm maintenance.
The cleanliness of the milking plant and the dairy is critical, so understanding your system and the processes of cleaning is very important.
Cleaning must be done properly as bacteria can build up in the plant and contaminate milk. The bacteria affects milk quality by breaking down the components in the milk. This reduces the shelf life of milk and milk products, and produces off flavours in cheeses and milk powders.
THE PLANT CLEANING PROCESS
Bacteria can enter the plant from cows (teat skin and infected udders) and the environment (drawn into the cluster). The milking environment is ideal for bacterial growth. Effective machine cleaning will control the presence of bacteria in the plant. The quality of the water used is very important in achieving a successful clean.
THE FOUR KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CLEANING PROCESS
Thermal
Water which is too cool leads to redepositing of the milk residues removed, and water which is too hot denatures protein, breaks down detergents, and damages seals and rubberware.
Aim for a temperature of 80-85°C as water exits the hot water storage cylinder.
Hot water washes should be dumped when wash water temperature falls to below 55°C.
Time
Hot water must contact the surface for at least 4 minutes; this should be extended to 7 minutes by re-circulating during an alkali wash. Pre-heating the plant will help achieve at least 5 minutes of contact
PLANT CLEANING ROUTINES
As a minimum the following steps need to be carried out:
• Cold water rinse after every milking.
• An acid wash after every milking.
• An alkali wash at least twice weekly.
• An acid rinse after every alkali wash.
• Rinsed and drained.
time at the recommended temperature.
For the milking plant, 10 litres of hot water per cluster is recommended to achieve sufficient contact time.
For the bulk milk tank, hot water should be a minimum of 2% of the bulk milk capacity or 120 litres for 5700 litre tanks or smaller.
Kinetic energy
Air injectors and a reservoir of water at the end of the milk line can create a slug formation for cleaning
the top of the milk line.
Small flushing pulsators used to induce turbulence are largely ineffective and regular brushing or use of a large flushing pulsator/air injector may be required.
Milk lines generally require turbulence created via an effective flushing pulsator to fill the line and clean the milk line, or some alternate effective cleaning system.
Chemical energy
Acid detergents remove mineral deposits. They can be used in hot or cold water but are more effective in hot water. Acid sanitisers commonly contain chemicals which also kill bacteria. These sanitisers are intended to stay in the plant after washing to provide extended protection. Acid sanitisers should always be added to the final wash.
Alkaline detergents remove fat and protein. If left in the plant, they can cause damage to rubberware so they must be followed with an acid wash to neutralise the alkali and leave the plant sanitised. The alkaline detergent is almost always chlorinated, or chlorine added.
The cleanliness of the milking plant and the dairy is critical.
We have developed a robot that works for you, not the other way around.
“We struggled to recruit, so something had to change. If we didn’t have the robots now, we would not be milking cows.”
Francis Creed 350 cows on 6 VMS™V300
“People have done robots before, but no one’s milked this many cows quite through one system. And it’s so efficient doing it this way.”
Alister Clyne 1200 cows on 16 VMS™ V300 Let’s discover your way.
Find out more about how VMS™ can work your way. Visit delaval.com or call your local DeLaval representative on 0800 222 228
“We would never want to go back to not having a robot. In fact, there’s only one thing better than one robot and that’s two.”
