Plan365 March 2015 by Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited

MARCH 2015

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

NUTRITION

FORAGE AND ARABLE

HORTICULTURE

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

DAIRY MANAGEMENT

Plan 365 is a technical guide aimed at helping shareholders learn about best practice and the latest advancements in rural technology.

NUTRITION

Autumn supplementary feeding of dairy cows Many dairy farmers will be questioning the level and type of supplementary feeding for dairy cows this autumn, despite the period being recognised as one of the most profitable for supplementary feeding.

split the herd in two and put the lighter

feeding period. Transitioning back to

herd onto supplementary feed to

grass doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t appear to be a problem

increase body condition score. This

but I think more work is required to

gives the option of preferentially feeding

determine how cows, which have

the lighter herd with more pelleted

gained condition quickly in the winter,

feed or grain in the shed and silage or

lose it in the spring. Last spring, some

straights, like palm kernel or soy hulls,

herds seemed to lose more condition

The autumn is a key time for increasing

in the paddock or on the feed pad. The

than expected in early lactation, which

days in-milk, maintaining milk

lighter herd could be put on once-a-day

may be a reflection of how well the

production at an economic level and

milking if required. Dry cows need a lot

cows were transitioned off fodder beet

building up pasture covers. There are a

more silage to gain weight compared

but may also be a reflection of how

number of options that can be used to

to grain, so when feed-out losses are

condition quickly gained might be more

put weight back on cows and increase

taken into account, it makes sense to

readily shed.

body condition score. The herd can be

use low-waste in-shed feeding systems

dried off early to give the cows more

The higher protein and lower

to feed for production and weight gain

time to gain weight but milk income

carbohydrate content in autumn

whilst cows are milking, rather than

decreases and cows still need to be

grass is good for milk production but

supplement dry cows with silage for

fed. Whilst the dry period is important

supports lower rates of weight gain

weight gain.

for the regeneration of the mammary

than supplements rich in carbohydrates

It was always considered difficult

(e.g. maize silage, cereal silage, grain

to feed cows over the winter to gain

and grain based compound feeds).

more than 0.5 BCS. However, feeding

Compound feed offers a convenient,

higher levels of winter forage crops

reliable way to increase energy intake

is reportedly supporting gains up

throughout autumn, with the added

to 1.0 BCS over an 8 week winter

bonus of major minerals like calcium (to

gland, overseas surveys have suggested that too long, as well as too short dry periods, can have a negative effect on milk yield in the subsequent lactation. A better option may be to

help replenishment of bone reserves) and trace elements with the option to include magnesium oxide through a potentially climatically changeable period. For cows used to getting 2kg/ day in the milking shed, an extra 1kg/ cow/day over April and May should be sufficient to put nearly an extra 0.5 BCS on cows in late lactation, which tend to partition extra energy to weight gain rather than milk production. Article supplied by Dr. Rob Derrick, Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.

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NUTRITION

Dairy farmers embracing new feeding technology With a Morrinsville dairy farm having broken the $100,000 a hectare barrier, it’s perhaps not surprising that a quiet technology revolution is occurring as dairy farmers adopt new feeding systems aimed at increasing production per cow, whilst reducing labour and mitigating risk. Individual cow feeding in the dairy shed, partially mixed diets (PMR) and total mixed diets (TMR) increase feeding options but require skills farmers seem keen to embrace.

amounts to individual cows according to

Dry matter intake is the major limiting

troughs reduce feed losses but are still

factor to increased milk production per

associated with some pasture damage

cow on a pasture only system. It has

and increased workload. Feed pads

been estimated that more than one third

offer an opportunity to feed silages and

of all farm dairies now have in-shed

straights with less waste, no pasture

feeding systems installed. At lower

damage and if connected to effluent

levels of feeding in the dairy (2-3kg),

storage can improve nutrient recycling.

flat rate feeding from one silo will do a

Feed pads provide the ability to feed

great job for most spring calving herds

partially mixed diets – whereby silages

– especially if they can be managed as

and straights are mixed together in

are being housed continuously in

two herds. At higher levels of in-shed

a reasonably homogenous manner

free stall cubicle barns and fed a total

feeding, multiple silos and feed heads

– but grazed pasture still makes up a

mixed ration without in-shed feeding.

or compound feeds offer nutritional

significant portion of the diet. Well-

It is generally easier to balance TMR

advantages over just grain and the

designed feed pads give shy feeders

diets compared to PMR diets, because

ability to allocate feed appropriately

that miss out on the best pasture the

the vagary of the pasture quality and

to individual cows becomes more

opportunity to top-up from the trough.

availability is removed.

attractive. Innovations like silo fluidisers,

Hybrid systems require proficiency and passion for both grassland

Farmlands Nutrition is committed

to prevent bridging, are helping farmers feed straights in the dairy shed without

management and supplementary

resorting to hammering the silo every

feeding to a high level.

milking. Farmers globally regularly feed

Increasingly, farmers are taking the feed

6-8kg DM in the dairy shed with twice

pad idea a step further and building

daily milked cows. Surveys suggest that

wintering barns, which double-up

about one quarter of in-shed systems

as feed pads – especially when the

in New Zealand can feed individual

weather is bad. In fewer cases, cows

| THE FARMLANDER

milk production, breed, liveweight, stage of pregnancy or condition score and it probably won’t be that long before in-line milkfat and protein monitors are commonplace. High feeding rates in the dairy shed can still leave a feed deficit during times of reduced pasture growth or for herds at higher stocking levels. Feeding forage in the paddock on the ground can be associated with unacceptable feed losses and pasture damage. Mobile

to helping shareholders meet the nutritional needs of their stock, irrespective of the level of technology and sophistication they wish to adopt. Article supplied by Dr. Rob Derrick, Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.

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NUTRITION

Alastair Robinson — a master of on-farm dairy nutrition Canterbury dairy farmer Alastair Robinson knows that by understanding the feeds available and the nutritional requirements of his cows, combined with attention to detail and timely decision making, he can maximise both the productivity and profitability of his 800 in-milk cows.

monitoring milk urea levels, Alastair

was 29 percent up on milksolids for

has found that he can match protein

the season and 26 percent up for

supply to requirements and optimise

December and was currently running

both milk production and cow condition

with a protein/fat ration of 0.94. Freshly

by changing to different customised

calved cows are holding condition

formulations of Reliance Feed. With 800

despite increased milk production,

cows typically in-milk hoping to

which Alastair partly attributes to using

produce more than 450,000kg

pre-calving pellets plus Bovatec to

milksolids this season, he calculates

condition cows and reduce milk fever

Alastair is the fourth generation in the

his winter premium and capacity

and partly to the soy hulls, which he

Robinson family on the 386 hectare

adjustment for a flatter lactation curve

thinks are increasing intakes without

farm just out of Rangiora. The farm

was worth $290,000 last season,

noticeably reducing pasture intake.

also includes dairy support land

without taking into account the added

The freshly calved cows are currently

used for making silage and rearing

15 cents per milksolid for having a high

eating 4kg/day of a custom Dairy

replacements and has grown in size

protein/fat ratio.

Performance and 4kg soy hulls. They

over the generations. Alastair prides

When soy hulls became available ex

are ruminating well and lameness

himself on his high yielding pedigree

Christchurch, Alastair was the first

problems have reduced.

Holstein Friesian cows, which calve 10

South Island shareholder to order a unit

Alastair is using a combination of

months of the year. With the November

load, initially using it on the feed pad

compound feeds and straights to

herd test revealing an average of 2.24kg

to extend diminishing silage stocks.

optimise animal production and health.

milksolids per day, with heifers doing up

Later he tried soy hulls in the dairy shed,

He knows his cows very well and

to an astounding 2.7kg milksolids per

finding that cows would eat 4-5kg pellets

is getting a lot of personal satisfaction

day and the top cow producing

plus 4kg soya hulls during twice daily

from being able to feed them to

61 litres of milk per day, Alastair is

milking — and troughs are licked clean.

their potential.

more than happy with the way his

When seen on 11th December with

herd performs.

Technical Product Manager Stacey

Alastair only changed to Farmlands

Cosnett and Technical Feed Specialist

Nutrition when his previous supplier

Megan Hardy, Alastair confirmed he

Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Farmlands Technical Product Manager.

stopped making dairy feed to concentrate on poultry in June 2013. When Farmlands Nutritionist Dr. Rob Derrick suggested he install a second feed silo at his new dairy shed to maximise the benefits from his feeding system, Alastair went ahead with Dr. Rob’s advice. He has been pleased with the flexibility and precision this system offers him. By closely

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NUTRITION

Listening to the beet Fibre is of key importance in the equine diet. Adequate fibre intake ensures maintenance of a healthy digestive system and reduces the risk of colic and gastric ulcers, as well as behavioural issues associated with a lack of fibre.

diets — a portion of the grain can be

As a rule of thumb, the bare minimum

molassed, non-heating, rapid soaking

fibre requirement for horse health is

beet flake, ready in 10 minutes.

1 percent of their body weight in hay/

Dunstan Betabeet Flakes are also

chaff or pasture daily (in dry matter),

ideal for inclusion in rations of horses

however a minimum of 1.5 percent is

susceptible to laminitis or tying-up.

more ideal. When horses are living out

Alternatively, for the very fussy eater,

substituted with this calorie-dense fibre source. For horse owners who wish to avoid any additional molasses in the ration and are looking for a super ‘cool’ calorie source, Dunstan Betabeet Flakes provides a non-

on adequate pasture, we can happily

or those horses requiring more calories

assume they are receiving this required intake. However, when they are boxed

per kg from their beet, Dunstan | Katie Laurie and her horse Dunstan Kiwi Iron Mark.

or yarded more attention needs to be paid to ensure fibre is provided

Dunstan Beets are also naturally high

through their supplementary feed.

in calcium, making them ideal for

There is often a shortfall in fibre intake

inclusion of high-grain diets to balance

when horses are travelling and away

the calcium/phosphorus ratio.

competing during the season, with

Providing soaked Dunstan Beet also

more time spent in yards and stables

assists in increasing water intake.

than usual.

This is beneficial when horses are

Fibre can be added to the ration by

travelling away and water consumption

incorporating a Dunstan Beet. Dunstan’s

may be compromised.

Beet Flakes are a premium, quick

Dunstan Beets have many applications

soaking fibre source and are known

in equine diets and with two beet

as ‘super fibres’, as they have a much

options (non-molassed Dunstan

higher calorie content than traditional

Betabeet and molassed Dunstan

fibre sources, with an energy level close

Sugarbeet), horse owners can choose

to oats. Not only do Beets add additional

the Dunstan Beet product that

fibre to the ration to assist with

best suits the requirements of their

maintaining digestive health — aiding to

individual equine.

reduce the incidence of colic and gastric

The slow release of energy provided by

ulcers — but they also provide more

Dunstan Beets make them a suitable

calories than most other fibre sources,

option for horses with behavioural

which is great for weight gain.

issues associated with high grain

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Sugarbeet Flakes provide the ideal solution. With the added molasses in Dunstan Sugarbeet Flakes, the product is highly palatable and the increased calorie contribution is more fattening. Dunstan Sugarbeet Flakes are ready in 30 minutes after soaking. For more information, talk to the friendly staff at your local Farmlands store today. Article supplied by Dunstan Nutrition Ltd.

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Are you and your stock ready? OSPRI’s NAIT programme is nearing the end of its 3 year transition phase for cattle — but what does this mean? Here are some things you should know so you and your animals are ready for 1stJuly. Why was there a transition phase? The 3 year transition was set up as a grace period to allow farmers to register themselves in NAIT as PICAs (person in charge of animals) and also to get familiar with the programme’s requirements. Anyone who owns or looks after cattle should now have a NAIT account. The 3 year period has also provided time for people to get all their stock tagged and registered in NAIT and any that are unsuitable to tag have been able to go to meat processors untagged with the Impractical to Tag option. What do you need to do by 1 July? st

important for disease control. Registering

Do you have any pending movements

your animals involves logging on to the

on your NAIT account?

NAIT system and telling NAIT what tags

Animals moving between two farms

were put in animals and then entering

(anywhere except to sale yards or meat

some details about those animals.

processors) are known as farm-to-farm

What about Impractical to Tag

movements. Whether you are the sender

animals?

or the receiver of animals, you need to

If you have cattle that you consider too

do something in NAIT – either record or

dangerous to tag, you still have a window

confirm the movement.

of opportunity to send them to slaughter

What do I do if I am having trouble?

without NAIT tags, until 1st July. These

OSPRI manages the NAIT programme

animals must already have an old AHB

and their contact centre staff are available

bar-coded primary tag to be eligible for

to help with any of your NAIT questions

this option. An Impractical to Tag levy

on 0800 624 843.

of $13 (excluding GST) will apply. This

There will also be NAIT workshops

option will not be available after July. Of course, there will still be instances where animals lose tags and it’s not practical to re-tag them, so a new process to deal with this is being worked on.

around the country soon, so keep an eye out for one near you. You’ll get training in a small group and some hands-on experience with the NAIT system. Article supplied by NAIT.

1. Tag all cattle By 1st July 2015, all your cattle need to be tagged – this includes all cattle born before the NAIT programme became mandatory on 1st July 2012, even if they’re not leaving your property. Exception: Calves only need to be tagged before they are 6 months old or before they leave your property – whichever comes first. 2. Register all cattle Registering your animals is the next step after they’ve been tagged. It’s easy to forget but it’s a crucial step, as it activates the animal’s tag in the NAIT system and distinguishes tags sitting in the shed from tags that are actually in animals. This is

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

The leading edge in young stock worm management Edge injection is now registered for

Why use Edge injection?

sheep, as well as cattle. Edge is a

• Treat cattle and sheep: multi-species

• Pharmokinetically superior: Peaks quickly to therapeutic level (head kill),

combination injection containing the

use – avoid multiple drench purchases

with predictable and rapid excretion

trusted active doramectin, together with

for cattle and sheep.

(less tail selection).

the power of levamisole for enhanced protection. This market-first combination of actives effectively treats all important production-limiting worms including Cooperia, which has shown in New Zealand to be less susceptible to many commonly used drench families. With a dose rate specifically for accurate dosing in young stock, Edge injection provides combination efficacy against internal parasites for your young stock this summer.

• Weather-proof: Impervious to the effect of weather, alleviating the concern of rainfall. Also eliminates the worry of other environmental factors such as dust, dirt or licking. • Ease of administration: Quick

EDGE INJECTION 500ML TWINPACK

administration with less volume to carry around. • Accurate dose: Individual animal dosing at 1ml/20kg.

Registered pursuant of the ACVM Act 1997, No. A10696

• Combination injection for cattle and sheep. • Effective against all important internal production limiting worms. • Ideal for younger stock in autumn and spring.

Eon pour-on covers all bases Treating adult lactating dairy cattle and beef cattle for parasites is all about

• Contains the potent and trusted active ingredient eprinomectin.

improving production. Eon is a broad

• Nil milk withholding period.

spectrum endectocide for dairy and

• Nil meat withholding period.

beef cattle. It contains eprinomectin, a member of the macrocyclic lactone (ML) family. It delivers internal parasite

• Nil bobby calf withholding period.

EON CATTLE POUR-ON 6L

control in one low volume application. Its convenient, broad-spectrum efficacy,

nil withholding periods and wide safety

PRICE FOR THE OF 5L ST

margin make it a suitable product for

OCKS LA

WHILE ST

parasite control in beef and dairy cattle.

Registered pursuant of the ACVM Act 1997, No. A10357.

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THE FARMLANDER |

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

To drench or not to drench? Under normal circumstances (good or normal nutrition levels, body condition scores and weather) adult cattle are able to cope with reasonable levels of internal parasites because of their immune system—although this can still come at a cost to production. However, under adverse conditions such as those currently being experienced (potential drought, lack of feed and stress), immunity to worms decreases and they can have a far greater impact on the animal. Controlling Ostertagia, the most damaging parasite, is especially important at this time. Coupled with this stress, the warm temperatures and autumn rain will allow optimal survival and development of worm larvae on pasture, so animals will readily get infected. Low pasture covers will ensure maximum exposure to larvae too.

Treating cows at or before drying off can

Pour-On for cattle and deer has the

help reduce the effects of parasitism

longest persistent activity claims in New

Drenching stock 2-3 weeks after the rain

over the months ahead and improve your

Zealand, giving 35 days against the main

will have several benefits.

returns. Published studies carried out on

production limiting parasites Ostertagia

• It will remove parasites before they

New Zealand farms using Cydectin Pour-

and 28 days against Trichostrongylus,

have a chance to breed and lay down

On have demonstrated milk production

the main production limiting parasites

more eggs for late autumn/early winter,

increases of around 4 percent, including

in adult dairy cattle. It has nil milk, meat

reducing re-infection levels.

one study conducted at dry-off. This

and bobby calf withhold periods and also

equates to about $21/cow return2 — very

treats and controls lice.

cost-effective on an investment of only

Article supplied by Zoetis.

around $5/cow. Additional benefits of

References:

• It will maximise efficiency in converting what precious feed there is into body condition, rather than have it wasted fighting a worm infection. • Using a drench that lasts longer, such as Cydectin® Pour-On, will prevent new infections from establishing for even longer — up to 4-5 weeks after drenching, depending on the drench and worm species.

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Not all drenches are created equal —

1. A.W. Murphy; The effect of treatment with Moxidectin, a long acting endectocide, on milk production in lactating dairy cows. World Buiatrics Congress Sydney 1998.

there are significant differences between

2. Based on a payout of $4.70/kgMS.

improved cow condition and shorter time to conception may also be seen.

them. You could be spending your hard earned money on a drench and not get the outcomes you expect. Cydectin®

THE FARMLANDER |

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Achieving a faster finish for lambs and grass-fed Wagyu cattle Combining high octane hybrid ryegrass with chicory and clover is helping power up stock liveweight gains for an intensive sheep, beef, deer and cropping business in the Manawatu. Link Farm began direct drilling Shogun hybrid ryegrass, with its specialist chicory/clover finishing pastures 3 years ago and now has approximately 150ha of the mix, with more to come. Operations Manager and co-owner Scott Linklater says it has a good fit with his family’s focus on making the most of its land and livestock. “Our aim is to have animals growing rapidly here year-round. We want the best performance from all our finishing stock and to ensure that we put a lot of emphasis on growing high quality feed.” Link Farm totals 580ha over four properties and is a Beef+Lamb NZ demonstration farm. The livestock side of the business involves both breeding and finishing and includes what will soon be a stud Charollais flock of 800 ewes producing terminal sires for sale.

Both AI and embryo transfer are being used to build up purebred numbers, Scott says. Finishing lambs are mostly grazed on ovation contracts, with numbers ranging from 4,000 last season to an expected 6,000-8,000 this season. Starting early with the first intake arriving in November means Link Farm will effectively be growing lambs for all but 1 month out of 12. Both deer and Wagyu beef are finished for Firstlight. Scott says deer numbers will be up to around 800 this year, from 400 last year, while the family both breeds its own Wagyu from a small herd of 80 cows and buys in weaners to finish. Supporting the system is a large area of cash and forage crop, including 100ha of process peas, 22ha fodder beet, 15ha kale and 40ha of rape. While spring sown chicory and clover together creates high value summer grazing for lambs and cattle, adding short term ryegrass to the mix extends cool season feed production in line with

the family’s goal of growing plenty of quality feed year round, Scott says. When Shogun became available 3 years ago, its very high dry matter yield and excellent animal performance made it a natural replacement for the ryegrass cultivar used previously and Scott says it’s a win-win on both fronts. “It’s amazing how much it grows. We’re looking to get 3 to 4 years out of it and will definitely continue using it.” He has also sown straight swards of Shogun ex cereal crops in autumn, using it as an opportunity to clean up any broadleaf weeds in the paddock before adding chicory and clover in spring. Agriseeds Pasture Systems Manager, Graham Kerr says Link Farm is one of a growing number of properties that have incorporated Shogun into their system to push farm performance. “The beauty of Shogun is that its outstanding combination of features offers lots of opportunity to do this. It has the rapid establishment of an Italian with exceptional total and cool season yield — and palatability and feed quality too. Harness these in a crop rotation – in this case under summer moist conditions, where it persists 3 to 5 years — and the level of liveweight gain it can produce is amazing.” For further information, talk to one of the friendly staff at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Agriseeds.

| Pictured left to right: Lyle Cuming (Farmlands), Scott Linklater and Ross Linklater (past Board Director of Farmlands).

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Autumn sown forage oats for winter feed If potential winter feed deficits are becoming apparent, there are options that can be taken now (or soon) to fill this gap. Farmers need to choose their options carefully, because the dry and colder conditions in autumn can make results from autumn planting variable. With rapid establishment in cool conditions, forage cereals are an ideal option for growing a large amount of high quality winter feed. Oats are the most common autumn sown forage cereal for a single winter grazing, producing between 5-8t/ha into the winter season. Farmlands Ashburton shareholder Richard Kennedy finds autumn sowing oats work well as part of his systems on his Mid Canterbury coastal dairy run-off lease block at Lowcliffe.

| Farmlands TFO Keith Gundry and farmer Richard Kennedy on the dry coastal paddocks where his autumn sown oats perform well.

| THE FARMLANDER

“Even with nothing flash or fancy, oats provide bulk feed quick. They are a great flexible option and have done well even in the drier paddocks.” Last summer and autumn was again dry — in previous years Richard has found even Italians sown early autumn just haven’t had the persistence or bulk of feed he would have liked, particularly in the dry coastal paddocks. Coronet forage oats were direct drilled in April at 120kg/ha, into a paddock of run-out Italian that had failed to persist. Even with frosts through winter, the Coronets held their quality well and were strip grazed by cows from early August. Farmlands Technical Field Officer Keith Gundry, from Ashburton, says last year highlighted the benefit of sowing oats due to the cooler autumn weather. Rapes sown at a similar time just struggled but the Coronet oats had no issue and established extremely well. Compared to the option of Italians at Richard’s place, the oats produce more bulk, even in the dry paddock they were drilled into. In spring as the oats ran out, the paddock has successfully been stitched into with Italian ryegrass, chicory and clover for the summer. For many regions, March through to the beginning of April is still suitable for Italian and annual ryegrass plantings. But every day sowing is delayed after the end of February has a big influence on yield, with the loss of roughly 1 percent per day of the total production potential to 1st June. This is where the use of Milton or Coronet oats can

provide an early to mid-winter single graze forage of higher volumes than an Italian ryegrass from an equivalent sowing date. Milton oats are faster to maturity than Coronet oats, providing higher levels of feed during early/mid-winter, compared to later winter high quality feed from Coronet oats. The different maturity times allows them to be used separately as a feed management tool, ensuring a high quality forage cereal feed throughout the winter period. Both varieties have excellent winter disease tolerance. With the exception of sowing depth, the management of forage cereals is very similar to annual ryegrass management. Forage cereals should be sown at 2-3cm in depth (ryegrass 1-2cm depth), with a DAP type fertiliser. An application of 35 units of nitrogen per hectare should then be applied after sowing but avoided for later sowings. If grazing over the winter, graze the forage cereal as you would an annual ryegrass. As with other forage options, nitrate toxicity can occur on most grasses and crops that have high growth rates in autumn and winter. It is good practice to introduce animals gradually to crops, provide a low nitrogen supplementary feed (e.g. hay) and inspect animals daily. If you suspect nitrates may be high, please consult your local vet. For further information on cereal management, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer. Article supplied by Agricom.

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Busy farm needs high quality pasture for long-term goal A Woodbury farm is busy growing deer, sheep, beef cattle and service bulls as well as rearing calves, wintering dairy cows and growing cash forage crops. Under such intense grazing, there’s no room for a grass that’s going to “ fall over”. Perenniality is essential for their pasture, as well as quality, Alister Holmes says. He farms 560 hectares (530ha effective) with his wife Lyn, who is actively involved with the farm near Geraldine in South Canterbury. For 4 years the couple have applied their knowledge and hard work to develop a multi-faceted farming system that makes the most of flat to rolling ‘summer safe’ country previously farmed by Alister’s parents for more than 30 years. “We first tried Aber (high sugar ryegrass) in 2012, sown in February in lighter soil that can dry out and it grew really well through winter and into late autumn. It held its quality through a run of frosts, grew a lot of grass and the ewes and lambs did well on it, despite a lack of clover at that time,” Alister says. Farming for 15 years after graduating from Lincoln University with an agricultural science degree, he says the Aber High Sugar Grass (AberHSG) varieties grow deep roots and this is a trait that’s important to any grass grown for long-term results. The diploid varieties AberDart and AberMagic have since been sown into 35 hectares and more will be sown as part of pasture renewal of 10 percent of the farm

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each year, mostly where forage crops have been turned over for 2 or 3 years to break pest and weed cycles. Timaru based Farmlands Technical Field Officer Dave Schrader had suggested AberHSG as the better option for the farm’s lighter and stony paddocks. It’s since proven itself on the clay-based downs as well. “Alister wanted good perenniality, as well as the finishing quality you expect in a modern ryegrass and that’s what he’s seeing,” Dave says. He is known to clients for his concern for the long-term benefits – and for his voluntary work, recently ended, as a Duke of Edinburgh Awards Co-ordinator. The Woodbury farm requires good quality pasture that will last for 10 years on the flat and 15 years on the downs (foot hills) within the sequence of paddocks for renewal. “We want hardy perennials that can stand up to the grazing pressure, because our grazing residuals can be below 1,500 (kg dry matter per hectare), depending on the season and we need good recovery without losing quality," Alister says. The flats are grazed in rotation behind electric fences where sheep follow cattle. Hereford and Angus steers and bulls are grown to 2 years and there are about 200 dairy bulls grown for service or beef, plus a 70-strong mob of beef cows prepping the paddocks, along with 25 first-calvers.

| Alister Holmes (left) and Dave Schrader of Farmlands see AberDart’s deep roots as vital to its enduring quality, in this paddock sown with Timothy and the more resilient clover hybrid AberLasting.

and there’s deer, 150 red hinds, grown for venison. “If there are any gaps to fill we can buy in cattle to finish.” Alister intends for their long-term pasture to not only meet this grazing pressure but to improve the farm. “We want to grow more dry matter. We are aiming for bigger ewes and we want to get more lambs away at weaning mid-December. “If the Aber can do that and pull our mean lamb slaughter date forward 2 or 3 weeks to mid-March then it’s going to make our system a lot more flexible.” Crops are integral to the feed plan, with kale grazed in the winter — some of it sold — as well as fodder beet for his own cattle, 4ha of swede to help lamb finishing and brassica crops. For more information, please contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer. Article supplied by NZ Seed Houses.

Behind them is a flock of 2,200 Coopworth ewes lambing at 147 percent to produce 2,500 lambs for finishing –

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Growing more for less with SF Sultan Farmers needing a reliable feed option that establishes quickly and offers sowing time flexibility should consider SF Sultan annual ryegrass from Seed Force. Unlike the common varieties like Tama, SF Sultan is a diploid, meaning a smaller seed size and therefore more seeds per kilogram. This allows a significantly lower sowing rate can be used (18kg/ha compared with up to 30kg/ha for a tetraploid) while still providing abundant feed through the seasons. At these recommended sowing rates the SF Sultan is providing up to 900 seeds per m2 compared with a tetraploid at around 600 seeds per m2 —that’s the equivalent of 9 million seeds per hectare versus 6 million. Even when taking into account expected losses at establishment, that is a real advantage for SF Sultan. A key benefit of this higher plant population is its established plant density, which can ensure quick ground cover and help overcome potential weed burdens that the more open tetraploid varieties often have to contend with. Hawera farmer Bruce Nickel rates the silage he cuts and the grazing he gets from Seed Force’s SF Sultan annual ryegrass as supreme. The SF Sultan annual ryegrass fits in well with Bruce’s cropping operation, which grows wheat, barley, beans and corn, all for grain harvest, to

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be sold to pig or dairy farmers as a ground finished product. “When the grain crops come off, the SF Sultan goes in as winter feed for dairy grazers. We have about 800-1,000 head grazing each year,” Bruce says. The dairy grazers are on for 8 weeks, fed on the SF Sultan silage and SF Sultan ryegrass paddocks, before the paddocks are shut up for silage prior to grain planting again. “It (SF Sultan) is very, very good. It’s pretty hardy, good in the cold and doesn’t mind wet feet.” If they get a bit of pugging after winter grazing, there is still time to re-drill SF Sultan and get a decent cut of silage prior to ploughing. “The annual SF Sultan silage is second to none. It’s absolutely pristine and cows go berserk on it. It makes supreme silage. I’ve never seen anything like it – it’s just fantastic.” SF Stellar perennial ryegrass is then used for the land going back into permanent pasture for 3 to 4 years, giving it a break from continuous cropping.

| Ben Sole of Farmlands with Bruce and Pauline Nickel.

“It’s a nice dense crop, comes away evenly — it’s a very, very good grass crop,” Bruce says. “I wouldn’t switch. There’s nothing that has surpassed it in the last 12 to 18 months and we have had a very good result.” By choosing SF Sultan, you get a quality proprietary variety that has been extensively tested across the country, at a similar or lower per hectare cost to a common variety like Tama. For more information, contact your local Farmlands representative. Article supplied by Seed Force.

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

New grasses a step ahead Two new Italian ryegrasses that will help farmers boost production are now available for the first time. New Zealand has a good record of breeding Italian ryegrasses, which play an important role on most farms for production of one of the cheapest feeds possible. To breed improvements takes a lot of effort and time. DLF Seeds has been breeding in New Zealand for improved Italian ryegrass performance for 9 years. The objectives in the breeding programme and testing were to develop a new cultivar with improved production in all seasons and the ability to produce for at least 2 years in favourable climates. Hundreds of crosses have been developed, each with the potential to be a good cultivar and are then extensively tested in production trials. Only if they perform equal to, or better than, the best cultivars do they move on for further testing. Elizabeth Kitson is the Italian ryegrass breeder for DLF Seeds. “From all the crosses and testing, we eventually found two outstanding cultivars that were consistently excellent for production and summer survival. In one trial, the cultivar Mona was 35 percent more productive than the cultivar we were trying to better.” Mona is a tetraploid Italian ryegrass with fast establishment and growth through winter and spring - but it also has an improved ability to survive moderate summers and grow for

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another year. An added benefit of Mona is its very late heading date. This extends the period in spring when farmers can graze or cut very leafy and high quality forage by up to 1 month. Winter and early spring growth is not compromised by the late heading, as Mona is at least as productive as other cultivars in this period. Some farmers prefer tetraploid over diploid Italian ryegrass because the larger seed gives faster establishment and feed quality is excellent. Others prefer diploid cultivars, which have a higher tiller density, so tend to be more tolerant of heavy grazing in wet conditions and better able to either survive summer, or grow longer into summer. “Jackpot is the other Italian ryegrass we bred here,” Elizabeth says. “Jackpot is a diploid and gives a farmer everything they need in an Italian ryegrass — high production and quality and the robustness to tolerate grazing in wet or drier conditions. It has a good tiller density — important for competing against weeds and for persistence.”

| Plant breeder Elizabeth Kitson inspects a plot of Mona Italian ryegrass in a dryland trial.

For more information, please contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer. Article supplied by DLF Seeds.

In all the testing that Mona and Jackpot have been involved in, they have never been beaten by other cultivars for total or seasonal production. This gives farmers the confidence to choose Mona or Jackpot, knowing they have made the best decision possible.

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Protect your pasture investment ® with Poncho seed treatment Autumn 2015 has all the hallmarks of being another challenging season for pasture establishment. Mild winter conditions and a kind spring have created good conditions for pasture pests such as Argentine stem weevil, grass grub and black beetle to thrive. In light of this threat, the advice coming from Bayer SeedGrowth Specialists Colin Dunstan and Jeff Smith is that all pasture seed should be treated with an effective insecticide seed treatment and Poncho fits the bill. Poncho is a proven seed treatment insecticide developed to help farmers get the most out of every hectare, by protecting newly sown grass to achieve optimal pasture establishment. Providing broad spectrum insect control, Poncho protects developing grass plants against Argentine stem weevil, black beetle and grass grub attack during establishment. Each year both Colin and Jeff are

called to see paddocks where insects

“It wasn’t long before we could see

have devastated newly sown pasture,

differences in the part of the paddock

causing large financial losses. This is

where Poncho had been applied,” Dave

a message supported by Farmlands

says. “These continued through to the

Technical Field Officer, Dave Schrader.

time we conducted a manual rising

Dave, who covers South Canterbury,

plate meter comparison on 23rd January

also knows that many more farmers

2014, 64 days from sowing and just

could reap large benefits if Poncho was

prior to the first grazing.”

more widely used.

The data collected was analysed using

Keen to find a way to communicate

both the standard Sheep and Beef

this message to shareholders, Dave

equation and the Dexel Dairy January

approached Colin in spring 2013

equation. The results were impressive

and decided to conduct a number of

and ranged between 1,785-1,864kg/

practical paddock trials to demonstrate

ha depending upon the test used.

the benefits of Poncho. While several of

At 20 cents per kg DM, this resulted

the trials recorded large yield benefits

in additional DM worth between

one trial stands out, for both the visual

$357–373/ha. “With results like these,

and financial benefits seen.

it isn’t surprising that the farmers who

The dry land paddock was located on

conducted the trials have ordered seed

the sheep and beef unit of Trevor Nicol

treated with Poncho for autumn 2015,”

at Maungati near Timaru and was sown

Dave says.

with a mixture of fescue, red clover,

These trials proved to be so useful that

white clover, chicory and plantain at a

Farmlands and Bayer CropScience

rate of 31kg/ha on 20th November 2013.

have agreed to repeat the exercise in 2015 with seven more trials. There will be two trials on the lower North Island, two in North Canterbury and one each in South Canterbury, Central Otago and Southland. The target is to have these trials underway by March 2015 and for the trials to be demonstrated and the data disseminated during 2015. To find out more, talk to your friendly Farmlands team today. Article supplied by Bayer.

| Poncho treated (left) vs. untreated (right), fescue pasture at Nicol's (63 DAS).

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Producing pastures that last Pasture is generally regarded as the cheapest form of feed, so a poorperforming pasture is definitely a liability on your farm. Replacing these pastures can make a big difference but not everyone has the same success rate. However, there are a few key strategies that you can use to help you get a wellestablished, productive new pasture that will thrive for many seasons to come. One step that is often overlooked during the resowing process is the use of a starter fertiliser. Using a starter fertiliser such as DAP (typically at 150-200kg/ha) at the time of sowing can make a big difference to your new pasture. Placed next to but not touching the seed, it provides the developing seedling with a good supply of phosphorus and nitrogen, which in turn means the young grass can establish well and out-compete any weeds that have escaped your spraying regime.

applications are particularly useful. These should occur every 6 to 8 weeks, or after each grazing, at rates of 3040kg N/ha while conditions are suitable. Your overall aim is to encourage ryegrass tillering and clover growth so that plants are well grown and any weeds are shaded out. Nitrogen applications can continue into late autumn and early winter while plants are still actively growing. To continue with applications, soil temperatures need to be more than 6Â°C and the ground should not be too wet. In autumn (March-April) you can expect responses in the range of 5-10kg DM/ kg N, while in early winter (May-June) you will get responses of around 4-8kg DM/kg N.

Autumn weather conditions can also be highly variable. If 5-10mm of rain is not guaranteed within 8 hours of a nitrogen application then you are better off using SustaiN, rather than urea. On average, SustaiN halves the amount of nitrogen lost to the atmosphere, compared to urea applied in the same conditions. Instead, this nitrogen is retained in the soil, where it may be used by plants. If you would like advice on a fertiliser programme to support the establishment of your new pasture, talk to your Farmlands or Ballance representative. Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

The additional cost of starter fertiliser can make some people reluctant to use it but it is a good investment, as it will help your pasture establish quickly and this will promote long-term pasture persistence. Even if you use a starter fertiliser, you may notice your new pasture develops yellow leaf tips around 2 to 3 months after sowing. This may be a sign of nitrogen deficiency. Clover takes around 12 to 18 months before it reaches its full nitrogen-fixing potential. While it gets up to speed, nitrogen

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Selective herbicide option for new pasture Tribal® Gold has been developed specifically for New Zealand pastoral farmers and contains a unique co-formulation of MCPA, MCPB and flumetsulam. Paul Addison, Nufarm’s Technical Specialist, says Tribal Gold was created after the company noticed a common trend in weed species in pasture renewal programmes. After 2 years of development and testing, Tribal Gold has shown excellent results and offers farmers a robust and simpler option for controlling broadleaf weeds in new pasture prior to the first grazing.

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It’s different from other MCPA/MCPB combinations in this market because it has a wider weed spectrum. Thanks to the inclusion of flumetsulam, Tribal Gold kills a large number of additional seedling weeds that are not normally controlled by older mixed formulations.

Tribal® Gold is also rainfast in 2 hours, which can make a big difference when farmers are trying to spray paddocks in changeable spring and autumn conditions. Recommended rates are 4-5L/ha.

These include buttercup, chickweed, seedling cornbind, cleavers, spurrey and storksbill. Other species controlled include black nightshade, docks, fathen, hedge mustard, mayweed, mallow, plantain, redroot, shepherd’s purse, thistles, twin cress, willow weed and wireweed.

friendly Farmlands team today.

To find out more, talk to your Article supplied by Nufarm Limited.

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HORTICULTURE

Post-harvest management of Psa-V Psa-V risk post-harvest

Actigard® to Hayward post-harvest

to ensure fruit stalk scars, leaves and

Autumn is a high-risk period for Psa-V

(prior to leaf-fall) has been shown

leaf scars are protected from Psa-V.

in kiwifruit orchards, with cooler and

to reduce the level of Psa-V

wetter weather favouring infection

symptoms in the subsequent spring.

applied together to provide a dual

and an abundance of wounds

New Zealand trials conducted on

mode of action.

created during harvest and leaf-fall

Gold3 vines have demonstrated

providing possible entry points for

a similar effect.

Psa-V. Around 300,000 to 500,000

Actigard® to fully activate the

• Actigard is a plant activator with a unique mode of action, which

created at harvest and about 2.5 million

stimulates the natural self-defense

leaf scars per hectare are created

system of plants via a response

during leaf-fall. In addition,

known as Systemic Acquired

late flush growth and wounds due to

Resistance (SAR).

plant, the addition of copper is recommended if high risk weather is forecast within 7 days. • Leaves need to be actively photosynthesising for Actigard® to be effective. Applications are likely

• Foliar application of Actigard® is now

risk of Psa-V infection post-harvest.

fully approved for kiwifruit (pre-flower

Psa-V infection that occurs post-

and post-harvest) to help growers

harvest may not be expressed

• Because it takes 4 to 7 days for

fruit stalk scars per hectare are

frost and storms also exacerbate the

• Actigard® and copper may be

manage Psa-V.

to be less effective when leaf-fall or senescence has commenced. • Apply 200g/ha of Actigard® as a dilute spray in conjunction with

visually until the following spring.

Post-harvest Psa-V programme

Why use Actigard post-harvest?

copper as soon as practical after

• Following harvest, the application of

harvest. Good coverage of leaves

• In offshore trials, foliar application of

protectant sprays is recommended

and fruit stalk/leaf scars is required to optimise efficacy. • A second application of Actigard® (plus copper) can be made 21 days later if remaining leaves are still green. • A maximum of four applications of Actigard® can be made per season (harvest to harvest). For more information on the use of Actigard ® post-harvest, contact your Farmlands Horticulture Technical Advisor. Article supplied by Actigard.

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HORTICULTURE

Farmlands Horticulture now offering wine production supplies Ensuring shareholders have all they need to run a successful business is at the core of everything Farmlands does. That is why viticulturists and winemakers will be delighted at Farmlands’ entry into winery inputs.

selected to make the winemakers’ hectic

“My aim personally is to imagine I am

vintage just a little easier.

the winemaker in every transaction and

Farmlands National Horticulture Manager,

ensure our service is as good as our

Luke Hansen says for too long, choices

product selection. What Farmlands

have been limited in this area. With that

will offer is quality, choice and value,”

in mind, Farmlands found someone with

he says.

Farmlands has answered a call from

the expertise required to provide the

This “choice” is true to the roots of

technical advice that complements the

Farmlands Co-operative – providing

new supplies in stock.

competition, which in turn lowers the

Mike Eaton joined Farmlands in May

costs of everyday supplies needed to

2014, following 33 years in the wine

improve business. With the inclusion

industry. He is tasked with leading

of cutting edge vineyard and winery

the establishment of a winery supplies

supplies, sourced from international

segment within the Farmlands business.

supply partners, Farmlands Horticulture

Mike says the aim is to provide proven,

ensures competition will continue, for the

quality products shareholders can

betterment of shareholders.

rely on, while also introducing genuine

Article supplied by Farmlands Horticulture.

shareholders in the wine making industry and winemakers to bring competition to the winery production sector. This has created an opportunity to bring the carefully selected range from well-known Australian winery supply specialists, Vin Cru to the New Zealand market. The range covers all the common inputs for wine production and an extensive range of incidental products, hand-

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competition to the market.

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RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Farm Dairy Effluent systems – compliance and maintenance As dairy farmers are starting to think about drying-off, now is the ideal time to check and maintain the Farm Dairy Effluent (FDE) system, to ensure it is compliant and ready for the next milking season. Things to consider include system operation, yard wash down and collection, effluent ponds and spreading systems.

Empty stone trap regularly and ensure

The keys to a good maintenance

inspecting of pond walls and

programme include having a plan,

assessing the need for de-sludging.

setting a routine and ensure staff buy-

Control of weeds and woody

in. Post a “to do list’” and get sign off

vegetation around ponds is important

after task completion. Schedule regular

for pond wall integrity. Surrounding

professional servicing of equipment

fencing maintenance keeps the pond

and list important contact numbers

child-proof and prevents stock damage.

in the dairy, so these people can be

Upkeep of adjacent drains prevents

contacted quickly, if machinery

storm-water entering the pond. Ensure

breaks down.

pumps, stirrers and pontoons and

and cut-off system is working when

In the dairy, check for no run off of milk

associated guide wires are maintained,

the run is finished.

or effluent from tanker pad, or overflow

serviced and correctly positioned,

Operate during daylight hours for better

of effluent from containment areas.

to maximise performance and avoid

monitoring and proactively check for

Ensure effluent is not entering the dairy

causing damage to the pond lining.

ponding and run-off into drains. Use

shed stormwater systems or ditches

Managing effluent applicant rates

trough covers to prevent stock water

and no stormwater is entering the FDE

is paramount to the successful

contamination. Monitor application

system. All effluent is on sealed ground

performance of an effluent travelling

rates, nutrient analysis versus fertiliser

and no rubbish, e.g. tails, ear tags,

irrigator. The major compliance

plan and keep application records.

syringes, etc. is entering FDE system.

requirements for this type of effluent

Create a Compliance Checklist,

application include irrigate within a

train staff and manage to these

permitted area, no ponding or run-off

requirements.

efficient use of water for wash down. Signs that you may have FDE storage pond leakage are wet, boggy spots and/or excessive pasture growth. Wet weather pond overflow may indicate the need to enlarge the pond to cope with extreme conditions or emergencies. Regular pond checks include visual

signs of wear and tear. Regularly clean, grease moving parts and inspect nozzles for signs of stretching, splits or blockages. Check the delivery lines for cracks, leaks and regularly flush to clean pipes and nozzles. Assess the operating system – check set-up, travelling speed, auto stop is correct distance from waterways

to of effluent into waterways and no application onto wet soils.

To find out more, talk to your

Regular irrigator system checks

friendly Farmlands team today.

and maintenance assists in meeting

Article supplied by Iplex Pipelines.

these requirements. Check irrigator for correct tyre pressure and general

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