10 minute read
Industry good – DairyNZ
There are a number of strategies farmers can implement around mating to ensure great reproductive success.
What’s your strategy?
It’s difficult to find an agreed definition for good driving; people tend to have their own definitions and most people think their skills are above-average.
On-farm, the same attitude can apply to reproductive performance, particularly heat detection. People may not realise or admit that their heat detection skills, or lack of, may be a constraint to improving their performance.
There is always room for improvement.
Upskilling your team and adjusting your tactics will allow you to reap rewards for seasons to come.
Have a strategy and a process
Many farmers will invest time to upskill their team on how to detect cows that are on heat, but not necessarily outline the next steps between detection and insemination, and what to do after insemination. There is value in outlining all the processes surrounding heat detection and mating on-farm and breaking it down into easy-to-follow steps.
Develop your plan pre-mating
Outline your plan. When will the cows be tail painted? With what colour? When will you change colours?
Set out who is responsible for monitoring which cow has cycled and what needs to be done with this information.
When do you decide if you will complete any non-cycler treatment?
Train the team
Before mating starts, train new team members and refresh others about what they are looking for during heat detection. The pre-mating period is a good opportunity for team members to practice what they are looking for, with support.
Meet with the AI technician
Confirm timing and plan with the team who will meet the technician and what the process will be with drafted cows before and after they are inseminated. Identify whose responsibility it is and when they should reapply tail paint and heat detection aids.
When mating starts
What heat detection aids will you use? Also consider who is responsible for their upkeep and how often they should be maintaining them.
Outline individual responsibilities for identifying cows on heat and what they should do with that information. You’ll also need to clarify who is responsible for drafting cows that have been identified or suspected to be on heat. List how you will cross-check that all cows identified have been drafted.
Discuss and decide what the farm policy is for any cows you are unsure about and what steps to take before confirming whether to submit them or not. It is a good idea to include a question mark next to their mating date if they are submitted, as this helps if they return after an odd time interval.
Review during mating
Finally, you’ll need to decide who is responsible for reviewing heat detection and when this happens. What is the contingency plan if there are any concerns during mating?
Heat detection is only one factor contributing to reproductive performance, but it is important to get right. It is valuable for even the most experienced teams to reassess their heat detection policy to be ready for the upcoming mating period. n
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Quiet and easy to handle. Instant white face recognition. Lower birth weights. These are just some of the traits that define the HerefordX advantage.
To find out more about buying a registered Hereford bull, view our breeders online sale catalogues at herefords.co.nz.
SEPTEMBER
2 Waimaire & Otengi Hereford Studs, Kaeo 3 Matapouri Hereford Stud, Marua 8 Charwell Hereford Stud, Whakatane 9 Maranui Hereford Stud, Waihi 10 Hukaroa Hereford Stud, Te Kauwhata 13 Craigmore Hereford Stud, Ohaupo 14 Kokonga Hereford Stud, Waikareu Valley 15 Shadow Downs Hereford Stud, Waverley 16 Kairaumati Hereford Stud, Thames 16 Mangaotea Hereford Stud, Tariki 17 Mahuta Hereford Stud, Drury 20 Hillcroft Hereford Stud, Huntly 22 Herepuru Station Hereford Stud, Whakatane 22 Gembrooke Hereford Stud, Dannevirke 24 Bexley Hereford Stud, Mokau 23 Riverton Ezicalve Hereford Stud, Fordell 24 Maungahina Hereford Stud, Masterton 27 Penny Lane Hereford Stud, Stratford 27 Riverlee Hereford Stud, Kimbolton 28 Ezicalve, Morrison Farming, Marton 29 Bushy Downs Hereford Stud, Te Awamutu 29 Shrimpton’s Hill Hereford Stud, Cave
OCTOBER
1 Seadowns Hereford Stud, Oamaru 5 Matariki Hereford Stud, Kaikoura 6 Bluestone Hereford Stud, Cave 11 Orari Gorge Herefords, Geraldine 11 Okawa Hereford Stud, Ashburton 12 Richon, Beechwood & Woodburn Hereford Studs, Amberley 14 Kane Farms Herefords, Tapanui 20 Pyramid Downs Hereford Stud, Gore
www.herefords.co.nz
One last word …
Here we go again. Covid has reemerged in our community and the country is in lockdown.
This time it is the Delta variant, known to be easily transmitted and more aggressive than the type that sent the country into Level 4 last year.
And all it took was one case in the community for the
Government to lock it down.
This has absolutely been the correct decision. As Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern says, going hard and early is the best chance the team of five million has at stamping it out, again.
We have been here before and this time, we have the benefit of experience.
Processes and systems have been fine-tuned and to all intents and purposes, running well.
There was the initial rush at supermarkets with people rushing out and fighting over toilet paper but this has settled down. The supply chain is working and there is plenty of stock. However, the issue now is having enough staff in distribution centres to get orders processed, truckies to deliver it and supermarket staff to get it on the shelves, with this chain being affected by potential contact with an infected person.
The team at Dairy Farmer want to give a big shout out to all you hard-working farmers and other essential workers who are keeping the wheels turning.
Health professionals – doctors, nurses, lab technicians, supermarket workers, cleaners, truck drivers and emergency services and many others – have kept this country going. And last time, you farmers proved what heroes you are by carrying on the good fight and were the only ones earning money for the country and continued to produce food for the nation. And more than a year later, you are still working hard. You have never stopped or faltered.
This lockdown is different as it has come during the busiest time of the year – calving. Many of you will be well-through and can see the finish line while others are still in the thick of it.
Calving time has always been a time of head down and life can be so busy, it is easy to go days and even weeks without seeing anyone else. But remember, these are extraordinary times so whether you have no staff or a big team, reach out to others, check and ask if everyone is doing okay or needs anything. Especially younger members of the team – you are their family and depending on how the team is operating, the people in their bubble. They may need extra support or something as simple as sharing a hot meal at the end of the day within your bubble.
Pick up the phone or send a text to someone you know is on their own and check on them too and if you can, offer to help. It may be as simple as collecting a prescription or groceries for them if they are elderly.
And of course, if anyone needs any wellbeing support at any time, the Rural Support Trust is just a phone call away on 0800 RURAL HELP (0800 787 254).
Last year, I called the covid pandemic a war which we won. It has gone away, regrouped and come back armed with an even heavier artillery. Times are uncertain and we cannot foresee what will happen in the coming days but if we come out fighting like we did last time, we will win again.
In the meantime, as farmers, take heart in knowing that your hard work in producing food to feed the nation is appreciated.
Thanks to Mordecai Courage for this month’s photo of one of his cows deciding to take an afternoon dunk to get out of the hot sun. Mordecai and his wife Joy contract milk 530 cows near Geraldine in South Canterbury. He tells me, truth is, she got knocked into the trough by the other cows as they were tussling around the palm kernel bin. Luckily, she wasn’t hurt.
Take care, stay safe and let’s bring back the great Teddy Bear Hunt in rural areas. Some of our urban counterparts are doing it, let’s join them.
Sonita
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Dairy Diary
September 2021
September 6 and 21 – Agri-Women’s Development Trust
Canterbury/North Otago and Southland/South Otago, positive change for your farm, family and community starts with you. ‘Know your Mindset. Grow your Influence’ is a short, personal development programme to help you respond to pressure and uncertainty with positive, meaningful action. Info at www.awdt.org.nz
September 7 and 9 – DairyNZ
Maximising Cropping Performance field day, Waikato. DairyNZ, Farmlands, PGG Wrightson and FarmSource want to help you achieve better results with your cropping programme. Join us to discuss: upfront planning and questions to ask; selected areas required based on crop selection; economics of crops; crop establishment; and management for best performance. Specialist presenters from Agricom, Barenbrug, Seedforce, Adama and Nufarm. Info at www.dairyevents.co.nz
September 8 – DairyNZ
Otorohanga South late-calving catch-up, Waikato. And just like that, it is calving season again and time for our annual Otorohanga South pub quiz and lunch at the Thirsty Weta. Info at www.dairyevents.co.nz
September 14 – Women’s Dairy Network
Focus Mastery – Communication power live webinar. Enhance your communication and curiosity, and explore new ways to: understand and tailor your communication; deliver a message that lands well and gets through; the key principles of good feedback; and the power of listening Sara Keenan is Business Customer Experience facilitation manager for ASB. Her experience encompasses leadership and coaching, and training effectiveness and time management all at levels and industries. Info at www.dwn.co.nz/events
September 15 – Owl Farm
Owl Farm Focus Day – Waikato Join us at Owl Farm using data to discuss management of the season-to-date from the team at Owl Farm. Info at www.owlfarm.nz/
September 22 – DairyNZ
Extension 350 public field day, Kaipara. If you’re a farmer or rural professional, this is your chance to find out about Northland’s Extension 350 Project at one of 10 public field days being held across the region. The project is a long-term farmer-to-farmer extension programme designed to help Northland farmers succeed - not just with a healthy bottom line, but with a healthy environment and a supportive community. Info at www.dairyevents.co.nz
September 22 & 29 – Agri-Women’s Development Trust
Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty. In a world moving faster all the time, sometimes it’s best to just pause, cut through the noise and focus on what’s really important to your family, farm and community. ‘Know your Mindset. Grow your Influence’ is a short, personal development programme to help you respond to pressure and uncertainty with positive, meaningful action. Info at www.awdt.org.nz
September 23 – SMASH
Field day – Towai, Northland Save the date. Details to follow. Info at www.smallerherds.co.nz
September 29 – Agri-Women’s Development Trust
Generation Change, Canterbury/North Otago. A one-day workshop and support community preparing young women for a life of meaningful work and impact in the primary sector. Generation Change is about you bringing your true self to the sector. Choosing the right pathway for you, by clearly knowing your values, strengths and purpose. Info at www.awdt.org.nz
October 7-8 – Farmax
Farmax Conference 2021, Hamilton. The Farmax Conference provides a platform for thought and discussion around advancing New Zealand’s pastoral system into the future. There will be more than a dozen well-known speakers, a scientist panel, half a day of FARMAX training and accreditation, plus dinner and quiz. Held across two days the conference focuses on realising potential, with speakers from all facets of the agriculture industry. Info at www.events.humanitix.com/farmax-conference-2021
