Plan 365 July 2016 by Farmlands

JULY 2016

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.

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Gains you can’t afford to miss out on A new season of calving is just around the corner for dairy farmers. Selecting the right probiotic to promote growth, development and health in calves is important in order to raise superior calves without breaking the bank. A premium probiotic such as Donaghys ProCalf® supports the early development of a calf’s rumen and establishes beneficial microbe populations for digestion of hard feed, pasture and calf milk. An initial 5ml dose followed by a daily 2ml dose will promote faster growth, weight gain and increased uptake of feed in your calves. ProCalf has been scientifically trialled and proven – a South Canterbury field trial showed an average daily gain of 696g per day (29kg after 42 days) for ProCalf treated calves versus an average daily gain of 571g per day (24kg after 42 days) for untreated calves. This equalled a 22 percent weight increase for calves on ProCalf

over the untreated calves. The treated calves were also weaned 1 week earlier than untreated. ProCalf is available in 1, 5, 10 and 20 litre packs, as well as the more convenient 5 litre backpack, meaning you can administer to your calves with ease. A limited edition promotional pack, the Premium Calf Starter Pack, with a 5 litre ProCalf backpack, a 1 litre Concur® Cattle backpack and a free drench gun will be available exclusively through Farmlands this season. For farmers looking to enhance feed conversion and increase milk production, a probiotic such as Donaghys ProDairy® is important. ProDairy is a probiotic extract designed to enhance feed conversion and digestion while increasing milk production. While classic probiotics attempt to populate the digestive system with bacteria or yeast, ProDairy more potently stimulates the beneficial bacteria already present in the rumen. ProDairy can be easily applied through inline dispensers, trough dispensers or by direct oral drenching. New Zealand trials showed that ProDairy treated cows produced an average of 65.3g more milksolids per cow per day than untreated cows – with no loss of body condition.

herd doing 276 days milking – with the cost of ProDairy for the season at the average volume used in these trials being around $8,000 or 7.6c per cow per day. Independent scientific trials have also been conducted on Total Mixed Ration (TMR) fed dairy cows in the USA’s big milk producing states of Georgia and California. Both independent trials showed similar increases in milk production with ProDairy treated cows of around 6 percent higher than the untreated cows, with no loss of body weight or Body Condition Score. ProDairy is available in 20, 200 and 1,000 litre packs. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Donaghys.

The value of increased production from these trials (at a $4.00 pay-out and average milksolid gain of 65.3g/cow/ day), extrapolated over the season, could yield extra milksolid income of more than $33,000 for a 386 cow

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER |

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

What products should I use pre-lamb to drench my ewes? Deciding which product to drench your ewes with at pre-lamb can be quite a challenge. Fortunately, a number of trials have been reported recently that directly compare the different products and may help with this decision. Several trials were conducted in the Wairarapa in 2011 and 2012, comparing long acting anthelmintic treatments (i.e. controlled release capsules (CRC) and Cydectin® Long Acting Injection for Sheep) and short acting treatments (i.e. Startect®) given at either pre-lamb or docking1. The trial results demonstrated no significant difference in the production gains between the long acting treatments. The ewe weight gain advantage at weaning, compared to untreated ewes, for each of the treatments was: Bionic® Hi Mineral Combination Sheep Capsules 3.0kg Extender® SeCo capsules 2.8kg Cydectin® Long Acting Injection for Sheep 3.2kg A short acting drench given at either docking or pre-lamb resulted in a small and non-significant increase in ewe weight at weaning (1.5kg and 1.4kg respectively).

Another trial, conducted in the King Country in 2014-15, compared the treatment of poor conditioned twin bearing ewes with either CRC or Cydectin Long Acting (LA) treatment pre-lamb2. Both treatment groups produced equivalent gains for both ewe and lamb weaning weights and were significantly heavier than the untreated ewes (i.e. ewe weaning weight advantage over untreated group for CRC = 3.7kg and Cydectin LA = 3.3kg – lamb weaning weight over untreated group for CRC = 2.6kg and Cydectin LA = 2.6kg). When the production gains from any of the long acting treatments are the same, choosing which product to use will depend largely on practical factors, such as the ease of administration and price. Cydectin Long Acting Injection for Sheep is easier to administer than capsules and cheaper per ewe, resulting in a better return on investment. The use of long acting products pre-lamb has the potential to increase drench resistance. Therefore, these products should be used with care and not all ewes within a flock should be treated. Leaving some ewes untreated will help slow the

development of drench resistance. The logical treatment choice for twin bearing ewes that are in poor body condition is a long acting product, e.g. Cydectin Long Acting Injection. Medium acting products such as Eweguard® can be used on single ewes that are in poor condition. Good conditioned ewes should not need drenching if feed levels are adequate. However, where feed levels are poor, good conditioned twin ewes may benefit from a medium acting treatment. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Zoetis. Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Tel: 0800 963 847; www.zoetis.co.nz. CYDECTIN, EWEGUARD and STARTECT are registered trademarks of Zoetis Inc. or its subsidiaries. ACVM No’s A7302, A9926 and A10353. All other trademarks referenced are trademarks of their respective owners.

References: 1. C.M. Miller, S Ganesh, C.B. Garland and D.M. Leathwick. Production benefits from pre and post-lambing anthelmintic treatment of ewes on commercial farms in the southern North Island of New Zealand, New Zealand Veterinary Journal 63, 211-219, 2015. 2. C Bingham. Comparison of the production effects of two different long acting pre-lamb treatments in twin bearing ewes. Proceedings of the Society of Sheep and Beef Veterinarians of the NZVA 2016.

This is a guideline only. For further advice please consult your animal health advisor.

| THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Pre-lamb - more antibodies when you need them! Why is pre-lamb vaccination important? Lambs are born without antibodies and rely on antibodies in the ewe’s colostrum for protection against clostridial diseases including Pulpy Kidney and tetanus. Clostridial vaccination of the ewe just prior to lambing is utilised on most New Zealand farms to maximise the level of antibodies lambs receive in colostrum. Lambs cannot get any antibodies from their mother via the placenta (compared to other animals, including humans, who can), so they are reliant on suckling good amounts of quality colostrum soon after birth. The gut of the newborn lamb is best at absorbing these antibodies within the first 6-12 hours of life, so it’s crucial this colostrum is the best quality and volume possible. The duration of protection gained by the suckling lamb is determined by the amount of antibody absorbed from colostrum. Inadequate levels of antibody intake by lambs can be seen with: • Poor mothering ability

and produce poorer quality colostrum – so you want the highest potency and longest lasting vaccine available. The vaccine you choose at pre-lamb is one of the factors that determines the level of antibodies available for suckling lambs. Nilvax is a high potency, longer acting 5-in-1 vaccine that also contains levamisole, which can be used as part of a combination treatment to help protect against worm burden. Importantly, the levamisole also acts as an immune stimulant, meaning a much better response to vaccination and higher antibody levels than other 5-in-1 vaccines. In a trial comparing the immune response of twin-bearing ewes to different pre-lamb vaccines, significant differences were seen between vaccines. Not all vaccines are created equal as seen below in Figure 1: “Pre-lamb Ewe Vaccination – Comparing Apples with Apples”. Dr. John Moffat – Proceedings of Society of Sheep and Beef Vets Annual Seminar 2004. Figure 1:

• Inadequate milk production • Weak sucklers • Multiples – who share colostrum • Low antibody production in the ewe Pre-lamb clostridial vaccination aims to negate this last point – by boosting the ewe’s antibody levels just prior to colostrum production. Younger ewes, those heavily pregnant with multiple lambs and those in lower condition or under nutritional stress may be less able to respond well to vaccination

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

conditions seen this summer in some districts, ewes may be lighter than ideal and as a result, may be less likely to respond well to vaccination. When ewes are vaccinated pre-lamb with Nilvax, this results in more clostridial antibodies in their colostrum. What does more antibodies mean for your farm? • Ewes can be vaccinated earlier – up to 6 weeks before lambing. This decreases the risk of sleepy sickness caused by mustering and yarding close to lambing. • Ewes are more likely to respond to vaccination. • More antibodies are available to suckling lambs – important as multiple lambs. • Share colostrum. • Lambs are protected for longer – up to 16 weeks of age. Nilvax can be used with more flexible timing than other 5-in-1 vaccines, allowing you to choose the length of protection you need for your lambs and helping with time management. If used with similar timing to other 5-in-1 vaccines, you will get protection longer towards weaning time. Alternatively, you can use it earlier. The choice is yours. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Coopers Animal Health.

Eweguard and Ultravac are registered brands of Zoetis New Zealand Limited.

ACVM No: A0934 ®Registered trademark.

Given the dry season and tight feed

THE FARMLANDER |

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Farm trial demonstrates compelling results Clostridial vaccination (e.g. “5-in-1”) of sheep and cattle is common on New Zealand farms to provide protection from the likes of Pulpy Kidney, tetanus and black leg.

colostrum) and 14 days after weaning (to see how they responded to the course of vaccines they received, first shot at tailing and second booster

MSD / Coopers Animal Health has recently completed a New Zealand study looking at the transfer of clostridial protection from ewes vaccinated pre-lamb to their lambs and the effect these Maternally Derived Antibodies (MDA) have on the lamb’s protective antibody levels at tailing and weaning.

The trial was held on a Wairarapa farm using twin-bearing Romney two-tooth ewes. Ewes were given Multine or an alternate pre-lamb vaccine at the recommended time of 2-4 weeks pre-lambing. Their twin lambs were then randomly allocated to receive either Multine or an alternative product at tailing and a booster of the same product at weaning. The trial delivered some compelling results.

Each lamb is born without antibodies, and they depend entirely on the amount and quality of colostrum they drink to obtain disease protection. In the case of multiple lamb bearing ewes, the amount of colostrum in the milk is divided between 2 or 3 lambs. So, the higher the concentration of protective antibodies in the colostrum the lambs drink, the better. In this trial, the lambs were blood tested at tailing (before the first shot, to give an indication of protective MDA levels received from their mother’s

| THE FARMLANDER

shot at weaning).

protective antibodies transferred to their lambs. As a result, the Multine vaccinated lambs have high protection levels, which may enhance their survival over the risky tailing-weaning period. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Coopers Animal Health. ACVM No: A0934 ®Registered trademark.

The level of Pulpy Kidney protective antibodies present in the lambs at tailing (before their first vaccine dose, indicating the amount of protection passed on from the ewe) was more than double when vaccinated with Multine, compared with the alternate product. Similarly, the tetanus antitoxin was also approximately 30 percent higher. It is clear that ewes pre-lamb vaccinated with Multine have

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

New portable data collection for farmers The next generation in EID stick readers makes set-up, connection, recording and transferring information easy. The XRS2 and SRS2 from Tru-Test build on the success of New Zealand farmers’ favourite EID reader, the XRS, which is widely regarded as having set the standard for measurement accuracy and ease of use in EID stick readers. Tru-Test Product Manager Steven Whitaker says the changes reflect the rapid advances in the ‘intuitiveness’ of information technology more generally. “The XRS was conceived almost 8 years ago and launched in 2011. The changes we have made since then are evolutionary, built on a particularly strong foundation.” The main advances are in ease of capturing, editing and viewing information, thanks to a bigger daylight viewable screen with larger fonts and simpler navigation with quick access keys. The XRS2 has an alphanumeric keypad for fast entry of information such as condition scores or breed and can

capture up to 15 fields of information for each individual animal. Entering and/or editing visual tags, typing in notes, editing session information and reopening a session to add more animals is easy. Craig Foote, from Breedtech Hawke’s Bay, notes that “the XRS2 has all the great attributes of the old stick reader. It’s still rugged and reliable and reads EID tags at a speed second to none but now I can add a whole bunch of customisable data as well, on the go”. Steven says one of the most important attributes of the XRS2 and SRS2 is durability. “This technology needs to have the sophistication of a mobile phone yet be rugged for the harsh farming environment. It also needs

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

to allow the user to be durable – to operate for long hours without stress or fatigue.” The XRS2 is designed to help famers capture and manage individual animal data, while the SRS2 is for farmers who want to read tags but not necessarily capture other data beyond EID tags on the stick reader. The XRS2 and SRS2 are part of the integrated range of Tru-Test solutions for tracking, weighing and measuring animal performance. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Tru-Test.

THE FARMLANDER |

NUTRITION

Bottle rearing lambs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fun and financially rewarding Rearing orphan and surplus lambs can be both a profitable and rewarding process. It can give you peace of mind that you are capturing all of the production potential of your prolific flock and have the ability to respond to sudden ewe deaths. Sheep fertility has increased significantly in recent years, with the New Zealand average lambing percentage jumping from 100 percent in the 1980s to more than 130 percent these days, with top performing sheep farmers attaining in excess of 150 percent. More twins invariably means more triplets, which some ewes may struggle to rear. Rearing lambs is also not just restricted to the commercial farmer and lamb rearing is a task enjoyed by many come spring, especially as school pet day rolls around! Colostrum is the initial key to orphan lamb survivability and it is crucial to feed lambs 10 percent of their body weight in good quality colostrum with high levels of immunoglobulins within

the first 12 hours of life, with the first feed given as quickly as possible after birth. A nutritionally balanced and highly digestible milk powder is then essential for supporting good lamb growth rates. Reliance Feed Milk is a great choice, as it is specially formulated to meet the requirements of growing young animals. Abomasal bloat can be a common issue when rearing lambs and this is because as a species, they are designed to have lots of little milk feeds over a day rather than a few larger ones. When the abomasum (the compartment of the gastrointestinal system that digests milk) is overloaded during a single feed problems can occur â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the right-hand side of the animal may start to bloat out and the animal can die fairly quickly if the built up gas is not released. Of course we can feed lambs smaller volumes of milk more regularly during the day to avoid overwhelming the abomasum, however we can also take the extra step of adding yoghurt into the milk to help prevent abomasal bloat. Meat and Wool

New Zealand has a great factsheet on how to use yoghurt to prevent abomasal bloat, which is available online or you can talk to your local Farmlands store for more information. Profitable lamb rearing is also reliant on good rumen development that can support early weaning and minimise post-weaning growth checks. Hard feed stimulates papillae development in the rumen and should be offered to lambs ad-lib from day 1, in order to prepare them for digesting high fibre pasture. Farmlands has a few options to choose from that are specifically designed for lambs (who have quite different requirements compared to calves). Reliance Lamb Start Mix is a muesli style feed that is perfect for younger lambs, as its molassed nature makes it highly attractive to animals new to hard feed. Reliance Lamb Performance Pellets are another great option. Both Reliance products contain Gutboosta, which is a unique blend of essential oils and prebiotics to stimulate feed intake and improve gut health. Both products also contain 19 percent protein that helps to support good frame and muscle growth, which is important when the goal is healthy, well-grown lambs. Reliance lamb feeds can also be used to promote fast growing lambs on ewes, or where there is a large number of twins and triplets and the quantity of milk is limiting growth rates. Visit your local Farmlands store for all the information and tools that you will need for successful lamb rearing this season. Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Assistant Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.

| THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Collaboration drives innovation Farmlands’ Vaughn Wesselson has been working with REL and Farmlands shareholder Angus Cowie, of Lumsden Hill Farm, to develop a stock feeder for ewes and lambs that allows compound feed and grain to be fed in a controlled yet convenient, waste-free manner. With two points of adjustment, farmers can control both the flow of feed and the access by stock. Manufactured at REL’s production division in Rakaia from fully welded 2mm steel, the painted ProFeed Stock Feeder requires no construction from the purchaser. Built for a long working life, the feeder’s large 1.1 cubic metre capacity hopper serves two troughs along the long sides to maximise animal access. Designed with safety in mind, the feeder has robust forklift mounts for shifting around in paddock or loading onto trailers in addition to skids.

be able to be placed anywhere in an exposed paddock. “The legs have been designed to be simply adjusted, so changing the height for different stock will be quick and easy. “Cleaning the feeder has been made straightforward with two big bungs that open to let debris out when water blasting. “The biggest highlight has been the addition of screw adjusters on the feeding shutter – this has made adjusting the allocation of feed simple, even when the feeder is full.

“Therefore because of these features and attention to detail, we highly recommend REL feeders to other farmers.” The first production models have been dispatched to nine Farmlands stores in the South Island from as far afield as Gore to Blenheim. One advantage of being locally produced is that production can be increased to meet demand and a model for beef and replacements is currently under development, with Vaughn anticipating strong interest from the deer sector. Article supplied by REL Group.

REL appreciated the help given by Angus, who set many of the specifications. “We have trialled the new REL feeders. One of the benefits we have witnessed from using this product over similar feeders are the robust construction that can cope with severe punishment,” Angus says. “We found that moisture was a big deterrent to allowing the flow of nuts and this problem has been overcome by the gutter and overhang that prevents the majority of moisture from getting into the feed trough. “The lid has been constructed to take the strong nor’west winds and should

| THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Farmlands Lifestyle Guide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; something a little bit different The idea of being more self-sufficient and knowing where your food has come from and how it has been produced appeals to a growing number of people. For commercial farmers who have land or those fortunate enough to be able to live on or buy a lifestyle block, opportunities abound in New Zealand for a lifestyle dream to become a reality. Getting the right advice and support can help prevent a dream turning into a nightmare. Collectively, the staff at Farmlands have a vast wealth of knowledge about how to farm livestock for health and productivity. Hoping to stimulate dialogue and counter the misconception that a lifestyle block is a life sentence, Farmlands Nutrition has created the Lifestyle Guide. Written by commercial nutritionists to help newcomers gain confidence and increase the rewards from their lifestyle activities, it explains the basics of nutrition and introduces people to different stock they may not have considered. Packed with interesting information, this beautifully presented publication is available free at your local Farmlands store. Would you rather be eating eggs your own chooks laid yesterday and have a surplus you can sell or give away to family and friends? Would you like your pork or bacon to have been preserved in the old fashioned way, knowing that it came from pigs you raised in a stressfree environment? Would you like to help preserve heritage breeds whose genetic diversity could one day prove to be as valuable as their beauty? Have

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

GET YOUR COPY INSTORE SOON! WH ILE STOC

KS LAST

you seen alpacas and llamas at shows and wondered what these exotic South American camelids require to keep healthy, having been transported to New Zealand from the Andes? Do you want to enjoy the pleasure of owning a pony, horse or donkey without the pressure of competition? Are you tired of selling standing grass or maize at the mercy of prices set by local supply and demand and wish you could be finishing beef for your freezer and selling surplus to the meat works? Does your family enjoy drinking some of the expensive bottled milk that is available nowadays but wish it was coming from your own cow? Do you want to be enjoying lamb shanks from your own sheep or making cheese from you own goats? If your block is deer fenced and has appropriate yards, are deer an option? If space is really limited, would rabbits fill a hole in your life? Trying new ventures on a small

scale is a good way to find out if they suit your farm and provide the rewards you desire, without many of the risks and challenges associated with large scale commercial farming. Farmlands is a co-operative that values all its shareholders, regardless of their size or activity and will continue to strive to support everyone who rewards us with their patronage. Article supplied by Dr. Rob Derrick, Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.

THE FARMLANDER |

NUTRITION

Getting it right by Karen Fraser

I’ve learned from experience that if you work harder at it, apply more energy and time to it and more consistency, you get a better result. It comes from work ethic.

and again after travel. Our trailers are cleaned DAILY and sprayed with disinfectant.

Diarrhoea leads to:

With bedding in the trailer, it becomes easier on the calf and easy to clean out.

Loss of ENERGY

Organising is what I do before I do something, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.

You have reduced stress and exposure of the calves and it has made the first feeding of “Colostrum Gold” so much easier. Your calf rearing has begun smoothly but watch for calf scours – your reactions must be fast or dehydration ruins the calves’ chance of survival.

Spring calving is knocking at the door and your planning is about to pay off. The hard work is going to hit you like a freight train – are you physically ready for it? You have a plan for your calves but did you implement a plan for you or your potential calf rearers, to be fit and full of energy? Being fit and ready to lift cold, wet calves from trailers? Being able to bend over the calf to start them, able to carry bags of feed, buckets of milk, energy needed to keep you positive for the busy months ahead? Getting all the little things right keeps you proactive. Transporting your precious cargo even short distances on an overcrowded or dirty trailer can have a devastating effect on joints and navel cord, leading to joint ill, navel infection or septic arthritis. The damage done can be significant and often irreversible. The incidence of navel infection can be as high as 25 percent! The future of this calf is in serious doubt. Remember this is the damage that YOU can do within the first hour of handling that valuable calf. Take care of the calves, drive slowly, cover to stop wind chill. Go back to the paddock for another load – do not overload the trailer as this is how they get injured. Spray navels with a good iodine before travelling

| THE FARMLANDER

• Nutritional factors – cold milk feeding, changes in volume, overfeeding or diet and environment (i.e. wet, cold weather). • Infectious agents – rotovirus, cryptosporidium, corona virus, salmonella, bovine viral (BVD) and coccidiosis. Identifying the cause by colour, consistency or odour of the faeces is not ideal. Our team uses clinical thermometers for the best diagnoses. Also lab testing, if you want to put a name to it. Rule of thumb: nutritional scour has a normal temperature (38oC-39.5oC), while calves affected with a viral infection will usually show a fever (39.5oC-42oC). The thermometer is also useful at monitoring the success of your treatment.

Loss of body WATER Loss of body SALTS (electrolytes) Most calf losses are due to dehydration, loss of electrolytes and energy and NOT to the direct effect of the infectious agent. • Use a high quality electrolyte – not all are created equal. •

Learn to use a tube-drencher – they save calves and save considerable time for calf rearers.

Aim to increase fluid intake to replace fluid loss – this means at least 6L into the calf per day. We do not take the milk feeds away as no electrolyte or supplement supplies more energy than milk. Withdrawing milk can mean nutritional scours when it is restarted. I can’t stress enough that successful calf rearing begins at birth and your contribution makes all the difference. Article supplied by Karen Fraser, Young Stock Manager.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Understanding ‘DCAD’ for milk fever prevention Milk is a product that is packed full of calcium to help support the skeletal growth of the young animals it is designed for. However, due to this feature of milk, hypocalcaemia is a common condition observed in cows in early lactation due to the huge increase in milk production post-calving. Over time we have genetically selected cows for exceptional milk production, which is great for filling up the vat but it can put pressure on cows in early lactation as the metabolic system and appetite lags behind milk production. Although there are large calcium reserves found in the bones of animals, this calcium is essentially ‘locked up’ and it is not available to rapidly pull into the blood stream for partitioning into milk at the onset of lactation. This is why we see cows go down with milk fever, the classic sign of hypocalcaemia, however we cannot forget the effect subclinical milk fever has on production and fertility either. One effective way to prevent milk fever is to manipulate the ‘dietary cation anion difference’ (DCAD) value of the diet in the 2-4 weeks immediately prior to calving, which effectively ‘tricks’ cows into mobilising calcium from their bones. We can do this by adding anionic salts into the diet, which decreases the DCAD value of the diet and slightly acidifies the blood. In order to counter the increasing acidification of the blood the body switches on bone calcium mobilisation pathways and increases calcium absorption from the diet in an attempt to buffer the blood. This state of mild

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

metabolic acidosis pre-calving ensures that when a cow calves, it already has all the right metabolic pathways switched on and it will be better set up to direct large quantities of calcium into milk. It’s essentially giving cows a head-start on lactating. What are anionic salts? Anionic salts are compounds that are classed as dietary anions – they are acidic and cause a small decrease in blood pH when included in the diet. Common anionic salts include ammonium chloride/sulphate and magnesium chloride/sulphate. They are perfectly safe to add into the diet at the levels typically recommended as they produce only a mild state of metabolic acidosis. It’s best to use a mix of at least two different anionic salts when putting together a pre-calving feed. The DCAD balance of a diet There are a multitude of equations used to work out the DCAD balance of the diet but the most commonly used is: DCAD balance of diet = (Sodium (Na) + Potassium (K)) – (Chloride (Cl) + Sulphur (S)). In New Zealand however, the calculated DCAD value of the diet is less important, as our cows are on pasture and are exposed to higher DCAD value diets than overseas cows. A better aim is to lower the DCAD value of the diet as much as possible by using anionic salts and avoiding feeding animals pasture that has had effluent applied (as this has a high potassium level). The change in DCAD is more important than the actual level achieved.

Adding anionic salts to the diet Adding anionic salts to the diet can be as easy as feeding a pre-calving pellet that has the appropriate level of anionic salts included. When fed at the recommended rate in the 2-4 weeks before calving, these feeds can be saviours when it comes to reducing milk fever in a herd. Unfortunately, feeds containing anionic salt do not tend to be the most palatable feeds due to the presence of aromatic compounds, so a little more perseverance is required when initially offering the feed to cows. The benefits that pre-calf feeding of anionic salts offers outweighs the extra effort required to get the cows onto the feed however, with a significant reduction in clinical cases of milk fever and subclinical milk fever. Anionic salts should only be fed in the 2-4 week period directly prior to calving. If fed for a longer period of time the body adapts to the state of mild acidosis and the benefits seen post-calving will not be as significant. The feeding of anionic salts should cease the day an animal calves. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Assistant Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.

THE FARMLANDER |

NUTRITION

Dog food, it’s all the same, right? Wrong! Working dogs in New Zealand are athletes, the long distance runners on-farm, covering up to 100 kilometres a day, much of it at 20-30km/h. Like any athlete, working dogs are very susceptible to muscle injuries – even the best dogs will inevitably experience injuries. The result is that your dog, a key resource on your farm, will not be performing to its potential. Imagine if another machine on your farm was only working at 50 percent efficiency. Ultimately, reduced efficiency equals reduced profit for farmers. Like any high performance athlete (or you), working dogs need protein to rebuild and repair their muscles after a hard day’s work in the field. As with humans, high protein diets reduce muscle injuries in working dogs. In 1996, a study (Reynolds et al 1996) was carried out that compared protein levels in dog food. One had 18 percent metabolisable protein, the other had 24 percent metabolisable protein. The dogs that were fed the lower protein diet sustained significantly more muscle injuries compared to the dogs that were fed the higher protein food. For the higher protein food the dogs were sustaining fewer injuries. It is important to note that AFFCO recommends a minimum protein level of 18 percent for a dog food to be complete and balanced. Ingredients on pack are listed in order, with the ingredient making up the biggest proportion of the product listed first and the smallest last. If the first ingredient is ‘cereals and cereal by-products’, this means that

| THE FARMLANDER

cereals make up the biggest proportion of the food. It’s important to think about the percentage of protein in your dog’s food but it’s not the only consideration. The digestibility of the protein also plays an important role. Protein comes from different sources, including animals (meat) and plants. Although proteins sourced from meat and plants are both classed as proteins, they are digested differently by your dog. One way to measure the digestibility is by looking at the amount to feed each day – feeding guidelines can be found on pack. The less ‘grams per’ usually means a higher digestibility. It also ensures your dog is getting the right amount of nutrition and energy to work longer and harder. This is where dog food pricing differs greatly. Next time you consider buying dog food, look at the feeding guides on pack. The less you have to feed, the

longer the bag will last, saving you time and money. The cheapest bag is not always the cheapest option. So not only does Pedigree® Working Dog Formula have a higher percent of protein than other mainstream dog foods (formulated to market leading quality guidelines) but the protein comes from real meat, to assist in muscle recovery and to deliver peak performance from working dogs. Pedigree may also deliver on your bottom line, with a cost of less than a $1.00 per day.* For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Pedigree. References: Reynolds, A. J., Taylor, C. R., Hoppeler, H., Weibel, E. R., Weyand, P. R. T. and Reinhart, G. A. (1996). The effect of diet on sled dog performance, oxidative capacity, skeletal muscle microstructure, and muscle glycogen metabolism. *Based on recommended promotional pricing for 20kg pack size.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Feeding to support the horse’s immune system The foundation of a horse’s nutrition management should be a diet based on high quality forage, supplemented with additional energy sources such as grain, to provide extra calories for whatever exercise the horse is asked to perform. It is also important to provide a balanced diet that meets all requirements for essential vitamins and trace minerals. In idle and lightly exercised horses, forage and low levels of a well formulated feed or balancer pellet is likely to provide enough nutrients to keep the immune system healthy. However for many horses, the demands of training, performance, travel, weather, parasites or even herd dynamics raise the stress level of everyday routines, putting the immune system under pressure. Feeding with an eye to immune system support can help prevent illness for atrisk horses. Nutrients such as protein, selenium and vitamins A, C, and E are particularly important in helping the horse avoid illness. Protein is needed to maintain and repair body tissues and also to produce enzymes and antibodies that fight infection. High quality protein supplies amino acids that the horse is unable to synthesise, so they are particularly important for young horses that are producing rather than simply maintaining muscle and connective tissue, in addition to disease-fighting components. Selenium and vitamin E work together to neutralise free radicals and support the production of antibodies. Naturalsource vitamin E is absorbed more

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

easily than synthetic forms. While selenium and vitamin E are both important in boosting immune function, each can be detrimental if levels are too high. Over-supplementation with vitamin E can interfere with the body’s absorption of vitamin A and extreme amounts of selenium are highly toxic. Vitamin A plays an important role in enhancing the function of white blood cells that are on the front line of immune response. Green plants supply beta carotene, which is used in the horse’s body to produce vitamin A, so simply turning a horse out to graze in a fertile, well-managed pasture with a variety of grasses and legumes is a good start towards maintaining overall health and immunity. Turn-out allows horses to exercise freely and interact with their pasture buddies. For animals designed to move around, eat more or less continuously and live in a herd, this is the most natural management pattern and as such it prevents immune-depressing stress caused by hunger, social isolation and confinement.

Grasses and legumes provide a significant portion of a horse’s requirements for vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, fibre and fluid. However, because of season or lack of pasture space, many horses may spend little or no time grazing. Pasture is often replaced with hay, which provides plenty of fibre but can be lower in important immune boosting nutrients, as levels of these can drop quickly after hay is baled. Owners can be sure they are providing everything necessary to support immune function in their horses by maximising turn-out, feeding the freshest hay possible and supplementing with a fortified concentrate. For horses that don’t need the calories a balancer pellet is a great choice, as this supplies protein, vitamins and minerals in a concentrated, low-energy form. For further information on providing your horse with a balanced diet to assist with improving immunity, contact a reputable nutrition advisor. Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutrition Technical Advisor, Farmlands Nutrition.

THE FARMLANDER |

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Winter stock water system maintenance The approach of winter is an ideal time to assess the risk factors and maintenance requirements for your stock water system. Good management of the water resource on-farm delivers cost saving in terms minimising water wastage in metered systems and/or power costs in pumped systems. Regular maintenance ensures continuity of water supply and the production benefits that this delivers, minimises the chance of major failures and the subsequent down time and fix up costs. A good place to start when considering regular water reticulation system maintenance is to understand the system parts and where the risks lie. Have a map that shows the system components and display it prominently, so you and your staff can easily access the information. Reticulation system components include the water source, pump, water storage, pipelines, valves and troughs. Starting with the natural water sources, such as springs, dams or streams, check the intake pipe is not blocked or damaged and floats, filters and foot-valves are in place and in serviceable condition. Issues here can lead to dirty water in the line, delivering less palatable water to stock and causing performance issues at the trough ballcock. For systems relying on a pump, a regular maintenance programme is essential. Have your pump’s make and model and service provider’s contact number readily available – in the pump shed is good. Seek their advice on what you can do in regard to routine maintenance and what they suggest in terms of a regular professional check-up.

| THE FARMLANDER

Assess your reservoirs in regard to structural integrity, plumbing connections, water level indicators and cleanliness. Replace or repair weeping fitting joints, repair cracks in concrete tanks with an epoxy filler such as Humebond and clean the tank out if it has significant internal sediment or organic matter build up.

Manufacturer’s recommendation in regard to maintenance should be adhered to and service kits are readily available off the shelf. Straighten bent ballcock arms, reapply thread tape on leaking joints, if required empty and clean the trough and reapply metal surrounding the trough to stop it becoming a boggy mess over winter.

Map your pipeline route and identify the system components – pipe diameters, pressure ratings, valves and lateral takeoffs. GPS captured data digitally overlaid on your farm map is a great way to do this. Monitor water use – excessive use and or wet patches along the pipeline may indicate a leak. A 2mm hole in a pipe can lose 14 cubic metres a day! This comes with a usage cost in community systems and additional power costs in pumped networks.

Planned water system maintenance is both an environmental and financially sound proposition. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article suplied by Iplex.

Unburied plastic pipelines are areas of additional risk, as they are more prone to mechanical damage from machinery and/or stock, can degrade by continuous exposure to UV light and may become pressure compromised at elevated temperatures. Bury your pipelines when practical – it’s the best protection you can give them. If you can’t, locate pipes at the base of fencelines and allow pasture cover to limit UV exposure and elevated temperature. Trough valves do require regular maintenance. They are affected by indifferent water quality, frost and the general wear and tear of moving parts.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

DAIRY MANAGEMENT

Calf rearing now easier with new mobile feeder range The annual toil of calf rearing just got a whole lot easier with the timely launch of a premium new mobile calf feeder range designed to save farmers time, money and effort. The new 2020 MG and OT mobile feeder range has been created in response to what farmers have said they need most to make back-bending, time-consuming calf rearing work easier, says New Zealand’s calf feeder specialist Stallion Plastics’ CEO and dairy farmer Grant Allen.

designed, developed and trialled – and launched a range that’s proven to make calf rearing easier, cleaner, quicker, safer and more efficient than ever before.

• Enhanced stability with lower point of gravity

“I know first-hand the pressures the low milk pay-out is placing on farmers’ budgets and we’re confident this range takes mobile feeders to the next level of innovation in providing a top quality, usertailored product for excellent value for money. Farmers who’ve trialled the range have given excellent feedback.”

• Easy ‘click and clean’ washing system

“We’ve spent a lot of time talking to seasoned dairy farmers and I look at what works – and what doesn’t – on my own farm. In particular, we get feedback from time-challenged farming women heavily involved in calf rearing and cleaning feeding equipment,” Grant says.

Key features of the new range, which consists of eight different models to suit a variety of needs and preferences, include:

“They’ve told us they want mobile feeders with increased stability and strength, a greater tank capacity, more accessibility and easier cleaning. So we’ve researched,

• New larger tank lids with three-way locking system (more accessible and built to withstand high wind)

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

• New larger 500 and 1,000 litre tanks • Newly designed tanks (easier to clean) • Lower inspection visibility with repositioned side access

• Stronger frame with heavier gauge galvanised steel • New easy to turn Hansen taps (great for cold, tired hands) • New outer plastic coating that repels dirt and is easy to clean The range was launched, along with other new products (including a new larger 2.5 litre feeder bottle and a new goat feeder range), at National Fieldays. All products are listed in Stallion’s new 2016 product brochure and on the website www.stallion.co.nz (where a handy mobile feeder demonstration video can also be viewed). For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Stallion Plastics.

THE FARMLANDER |

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Forage options following winter brassica The ability to produce high quality feed quickly and efficiently onfarm is becoming more and more important. As the feeding of winter brassicas comes to an end, decisions need to be made now on what to follow these crops with. Manawatu farmer Stephen Barr chooses Monty forage barley to provide him with a flexible option for whole crop cereal silage. On his dairy farm at Colyton near Feilding, Stephen has been challenged by autumn sowings of cereals in the past, due to having clay based soils. After discussions with his Farmlands Technical Field Officer Lyle Cuming, Stephen decided to try a spring sowing of Monty forage barley. First sown 3 years ago in spring, Stephen has been impressed by its efficiency and the flexibility it allows him. Forage cereals tolerate cold soils and can be sown from very early spring, to generate a large amount of whole crop cereal silage by early/mid summer. Farmers like Stephen, who are wanting maximum yields of high carbohydrate silage, should take a crop of either Crackerjack triticale or Monty forage barley through to the whole crop stage. Triticale is a high yielding option if planted early spring (July to September), providing there is minimal risk of running out of moisture. Barley becomes a better option when sowing later (October – November), as it is a faster maturing option, meaning it avoids potential drought stress before harvest. Being faster to maturity than triticale, Stephen sows his Monty forage

| THE FARMLANDER

barley in mid-November and harvests approximately 90 days later in midFebruary. The rapid growth of the crop allows him plenty of time to follow the Monty with new pasture and get it established early. Best fit for whole crop cereal silage, Stephen uses his crop as a carbohydrate source in a mixed ration for his cows in-milk. “Monty provides a cost efficient carbohydrate source to be a component in the mixed ration.” Monty’s most differentiating feature is its reduced awns. Conventional barley has hard, spiky awns that can remain quite sharp in the stack. Monty is unique in this respect, having reduced awns that minimise the damage conventional awns can

do to soft, sensitive mouths, reducing animal stress and maintaining animal performance. As a medium-maturity spring barley, Monty has high grain and silage yields and the feed quality is very good due to the high grain content. Achieving yields of 10-12t DM/ha Stephen is pleased with what Monty has been able to deliver. Taking 90 days until harvest, Stephen is provided with extra flexibility when making his pasture renewal decisions. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Agricom.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Flexibility the key for cereal growers A new release herbicide with a long application window means problem weeds in cereal crops can be dealt with in a timely way, even during severe winter cold. Methven arable farmer Ron Hydes was advised to try the herbicide Paradigm, after a large early infestation of the problem weed fumitory in an April-sown wheat crop. “About a week after application, several inches of snow fell and it was extremely cold and I believe the previous chemical I have used would have been struggling to do the job. “It was a different mode of action and it took a while to kill the weeds, which turned skeletal and then suddenly were gone. “Having a wide application window from three leaf stage to full flag leaf emergence (growth stage 13 to 39) gives us great flexibility and means it can be applied at the optimum time for weed control. It was also used late, at growth stage 39, on extremely large fumitory, when there were virtually no other chemical options available.” The short 7 day withholding period also opens options for silage and more flexibility with grazing. Cereals are a good opportunity to clean up weeds before following with a specialist seed crop, Ron says. He farms 145 hectares as well as land leased from a family trust, with the property entirely cropped. About 30

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

to 50 percent of the farm is normally planted in cereals, with the remainder in small seed production, mainly ryegrass, white clover, cocksfoot and brassica for seed. Paradigm’s compatibility with other agrichemicals means it can be mixed in the tank with a range of other herbicides as well as fungicides, insecticides and plant growth regulators, reducing the number of crop passes and saving time and money.

“We have a limited tool box, so I am extremely supportive of new chemistry.” Trialled in Canterbury, Paradigm contains the new active ingredient Arylex and is suitable for barley, wheat and triticale, with no loss of yield. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Dow AgroSciences.

When planting wheat, Paradigm is the ideal follow-up to pre-emergence applications of Firebird herbicide, as Paradigm controls the key weeds (fumitory and cornbind) not controlled by Firebird. “The two complement each other very well," Ron says.

THE FARMLANDER |

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Bringing best practice to your paddocks Health and safety has become a cornerstone of the modern farming operation. As legislation evolves, so too must the practices used to ensure your business cannot be held liable for any incident. Whether a farmer, orchardist, grower or contractor, there is a responsibility to inform and educate your staff, neighbours and visitors about any risk faced when entering your property. To help keep everyone informed of the practices and programmes being undertaken on your property, Farmlands and Rural Contractors New Zealand have teamed up to create a paddock spray tag – an easy to use

initiative that improves reporting of chemical use between contractor, property owner and staff. The paddock spray tag was created to fill a void in the market – products that ensured stock were kept out of a sprayed paddock were limited. By working with Rural Contractors New Zealand – and working with shareholders to ensure the practical applications of the paddock spray tag were on point – Farmlands has found another way to provide the resources and tools that comply with safe farm practices. It may seem like such a simple premise – but simple can often be the most

effective. The Farmlands and Rural Contractors New Zealand paddock spray tag has a number of features, including: • H igh visibility, bright orange colour. • Waterproof, so it lasts longer. • Areas to write essential information, such as “Sprayed with”, “Withholding period” and contact details of the contractor who has sprayed the paddock.

The paddock spray tag comes in rolls of 250, which when folded in half creates 125 unique tags for your property. The tags work in the same way as a baggage tag at the airport – simply remove two of the tags from the roll and fold in half, to create an adhesive seal on a fence wire. Boost your best practice – the paddock spray tag is available now. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Farmlands.

| THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Increasing lucerne yields with effective weed control Grass and broadleaf weeds are a serious threat to the quality and viability of a lucerne stand. Weeds can reduce the nutritional value of the crop and cause significant reduction in yield, as they compete aggressively for water, nutrients, sunlight and space. The grazing/cutting of lucerne encourages weed growth. Failing to control weeds will result in poor crop performance and shorten the productive life of a lucerne stand. Gramoxone 250 (plus atrazine) provides excellent knockdown and residual control of a wide range of grass and broadleaf weeds. Applied to lucerne annually during winter when the crop is dormant, Gramoxone 250 can increase lucerne yields by

up to 30 percent and extend the productive life of a stand by many years. Why use Gramoxone 250 for weed control in lucerne • Controls wide spectrum of grass and broadleaf weeds – one treatment covers most situations. • Activated by light – works well in cold winter conditions. • Tolerated by established (dormant) lucerne – removes weeds with minimal damage to lucerne. • Increases lucerne yield and nutritional value – premium payment for better quality feed. • Prolongs productive life of lucerne stands – good return on investment. • Rainfast within 20 minutes – less dependent on weather conditions. • 25 percent more concentrated than some paraquat formulations – more hectares treated per pack and less packaging.

recover quickly. It is inactivated on contact with the soil. Gramoxone 250 contains a blue dye for identification and a stenching agent to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion. Best use advice for Gramoxone 250 in lucerne • Remove all lucerne growth by hard grazing or close cutting before use. • Allow weeds to freshen up before application. • Apply 2.4 litres/ha of Gramoxone 250 during lucerne dormancy. • Add 1kg/ha atrazine (90 percent WG) on stands older than 12 months. • Apply only to clean, healthy weed foliage. • Avoid spraying when frost is on foliage.

What is Gramoxone 250

• Ensure total coverage of weeds.

Gramoxone 250 is a non-residual, fast acting, contact herbicide containing 250g/litre paraquat in the form of a soluble concentrate. Most grasses and broadleaf weeds are controlled by Gramoxone 250, although clovers

• Use only clean water. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Syngenta.

| Lucerne and weeds.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER |

HORTICULTURE

Best practice for powdery mildew The grapevine powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) life cycle has changed in recent years, increasing disease pressure. Issues around resistance have led to revaluation of the chemistry we once relied on and the use of Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), to ensure integrated chemical use.

THIOVIT 5kg/ha + PROTECTOR 0.5% (250L/ha WATER RATE)

THIOVIT 5kg/ha (250L/ha WATER RATE)

Recent Farmlands Horticulture trial work supports sulphur playing a key role in a powdery mildew integrated fungicide programme. Wettable Powder (WP) formulations of sulphur can have particle sizes up to 25 microns and consequently performance issues from poor coverage, poor adhesion, low residual activity and low vapour activity. WPs can be dusty and difficult to mix in water. Suspension Concentrate (SC) liquid sulphur formulations can contain small particles of less than 3.5 microns, which can give good coverage and vapour action but pose higher risk of phytotoxicity from penetration of leaf stomata. Given this importance of sulphur in grapes, it pays to use the best quality sulphur. Thiovit Jet is the world’s biggest selling sulphur, due to its superior micro-granule formulation and optimum particle size. It’s a Water Dispersible Granule (WDG) containing 800g/kg of sulphur. An average particle size of 4.6 microns gives the ideal balance between contact action, vapour activity, persistence and no direct leaf penetration, providing excellent crop safety. Independent analysis of five different sulphur products shows Thiovit Jet

| Black light showing up fluorescent dye placed into the spray mixture. Thiovit + Protector mixture, showing superior coverage and movement on both the leaf and bunches.

having the best particle size distribution, with 83 percent of particles in the ideal 1-8 micron range. Thiovit Jet is easy to measure, with 1kg equalling 1L in volume. It mixes easily in water, dispersing instantaneously. Thiovit Jet is now available in a new 15kg pack size, from your local Farmlands store. Coverage is king Trials conducted by Farmlands Horticulture highlighted that the addition of a good surfactant gave superior disease control compared to sulphur alone, primarily as the majority of sulphur activity is contact. Products that improve the spray cover will improve disease control. Protector has unique properties that make it a fantastic mixing partner with sulphur. Protectorhml is a pure potassium based liquid soap complex, manufactured from fractions of hml

vegetable oils – it is not and does not contain oil. Ingredients are food grade, organically approved and plant safe. Protectorhml is registered as a fungicide, with extensive research for the control of botrytis on grapes (2L/100L). However, its main viticultural use is as an adjuvant in combination with sulphur for the control of powdery mildew at 0.5 percent (500ml/100/t). Once dry, Protectorhml is not immediately soluble again – it goes through a gel state, so acting as a sticker. Sulphur and Protectorhml independent trials show this to be a robust backbone of a powdery mildew protective programme. For more information, contact your local Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Syngenta and Henry Manufacturing Limited.

Head along to your Farmlands Horticulture store on Tuesday 5th July to get a great deal on sulphur and Protector, plus expert technical advice.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER |

HORTICULTURE

Giving organic growers adjuvant horsepower Following the outstanding result achieved with the adjuvant WETCIT, Farmlands Horticulture is now excited to bring OROBOOST® adjuvant to New Zealand. To put it simply, OROBOOST from Oro Agri Inc., is the “organic cousin” of WETCIT and recently received BioGro organic certification in New Zealand. OROBOOST, with patent-pending TransPhloem™ technology, gives organic growers a new tool to improve spray applications and should be in the tank of every foliar spray you make. The product contains a blend of natural plant derived extracts with bio-degradable wetting agents. This combination of components, collectively known as OROWET® technology, is patented in countries worldwide. This technology is unique and differentiates Oro Agri foliar adjuvants from other adjuvants, giving the products a new mode of action and highly effective spreading properties. At lower rates, OROBOOST is a top

performing wetter and spreader for use with contact agrichemicals. It provides uniform droplet size for even distribution of the spray solution over the leaf surface. This uniform droplet size results in more uniform coverage and therefore better agrichemical performance. It also reduces leaf run-off that can occur when droplets are too large. In addition, the excellent surface tension reducing properties of OROBOOST will carry agrichemicals into hard-to-reach areas of the plant, where insects and diseases often hide. It boosts control of tough insects like mealy bugs in grapes, thrips in onions and scale in citrus. As good as OROBOOST is as a spreader, it is its penetrating properties with systemic agrichemicals and nutrients that really sets it apart from other adjuvants. Independent university studies have shown the OROWET technology used in the formulation of OROBOOST penetrates waxy leaf surfaces and starts

| THE FARMLANDER

movement of the spray solution down the petiole in as little as 15 minutes. From there, the TransPhloem technology contained in OROBOOST translocates the spray materials throughout a plant’s vascular system more rapidly and in higher concentrations than other types of adjuvants like crop oils, non-ionic surfactants and methylated seed oils. This rapid movement improves agrichemical control and nutrient response. Now, with the BioGro certification of OROBOOST, organic growers have a way to maximise the performance of organic agrichemicals that is easy to use and incorporate into their pest management programmes. For more information, contact your local Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Oro Agri Inc.