July 2012
Your levy in action
Looking after
the young ones
Helping heifers hit liveweight targets
Drenching strategies
A look at the options
Calf rearing
Setting up successful systems
Water use in the shed
Making a drop go further
contents
1
From the CEO
News in brief
2
2
Cover story – rearing young stock
Farmer profile: Christine Finnigan
InCalf advisor: Andrew Bates
LIC study results
InCalf heifer rearing tool
8
DairyNZ view: Bruce Thorrold
9
Managing heifers not at target weight
10
Rearing heifers without drenching
12
Drenching strategies
14
Calf rearing
15
Myth buster: rearing calves
16
Smart water use in the shed
17
The pasture page
18
Milking smarter, not harder
12
10
Hot & not
19
Regional focus
20
Regional update
16
Must-reads:
Looking after the young ones – page 2-7
Heifer rearing is one of the eight key management
areas that affect reproductive performance. Success
with rearing young stock comes down to attitude,
priorities and responsibilities. Are they a priority class
of stock and who is responsible for ensuring they are
healthy and well-grown?
Rearing heifers without drenching –
page 10-11
Experience with organic calves at Massey’s Dairy
Cattle Research Unit (DCRU) has shown it possible to
rear good quality heifers without drenching. However,
success requires an understanding of the biology of
the parasites involved and tailoring that to an individual
farm situation.
On the cover: Manawatu farmer Christine Finnigan and
former farm manager Tim Booker vaccinating young stock.
We appreciate your feedback
Email your comments to [email protected]
or call us on 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969).
Alternatively, post to
Inside Dairy, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton 3240.
Inside Dairy is the official magazine of DairyNZ Ltd. It is circulated among all New Zealand dairy farmers and industry organisations and professionals.
ISSN 1179-4916
from the ceo
news
in brief
SmartSAMM website goes live
As we head into the busy part
Visit the new DairyNZ SmartSAMM website at
of a new season, it is important
smartSAMM.co.nz to find out all you need to know about
that we lift our heads to think
mastitis and milk quality.
about some of the big matters
Access SmartSAMM for complete, industry-agreed
that are often being reinforced
knowledge. Visit the ‘fix my problem’ section for shortcuts to
as major for our industry.
SmartSAMM tools and resources – establish if you do have a
Top of this list, without doubt, is biosecurity. It is something
that we cannot ever afford to take for granted. Any agricultural
problem, what to do next and how to prevent it in future.
For farmers, 26 SmartSAMM guidelines provide key
industry report on current and future issues has biosecurity as
recommendations for managing mastitis during calving,
the number one area of importance, with food quality assurance
lactation, drying off and the dry period. For advisors,
absolutely critical. This was evident in the recently released KPMG
the 26 corresponding Technotes provide science-based
Agribusiness Agenda report which listed biosecurity as the number
mastitis information.
one priority for industry leaders.
With calving here, it is important to refresh knowledge of
Johne’s Disease and how to avoid or minimise it with good calf
SmartSAMM will help improve udder health and milk quality,
gain time savings at milking, and make more production and
profit. Visit the website smartSAMM.co.nz
management and hygiene practices, especially avoiding faecal
contamination from older cows. More information is available
on the DairyNZ website.
On biosecurity issues, the practical implications of NAIT (National
Animal Identification and Tracing) have now arrived, with
registration required from July 1 for farmers in charge of cattle.
The dairy industry expects NAIT to reinforce our vigilant approach
to biosecurity and we will, of course, also be looking for efficiencies
at the same time, with the planned Animal Health Board (AHB) and
NAIT merger.
It is also worth remembering the work carried out by the AHB,
in striving to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) from New Zealand.
Dairy farmers play a significant role in this work through slaughter
fees and the $15 million each year allocated from the milksolids
levy directly to the AHB’s TB work.
I know I mentioned it last month, but I would like to reiterate
the message around prudent financial planning for the year ahead.
By now, cash forecast budgets should be well sorted. It might be
too early to say where international milk prices are settling for the
short to medium term, but we can be sure that incomes will be
down. A proactive and positive approach is essential.
It was good to catch up with some of you at the fieldays and I
hope to see many at SIDE.
Thanks again for taking the time to make the most of Inside Dairy
for the latest on current industry issues. If you would like to email
me ([email protected]) on any matters related to the
work of DairyNZ, I would be pleased to hear from you.
Pocket soil guide released
DairyNZ has released a new pocket guide to determine soil
risk for farm dairy effluent application.
The guide will take you through a step-by-step process of
working out soil risk for a farm by reviewing topography and
verifying risk by digging test pits and reviewing the soil profile.
Some farms have both high and low risk soils across the farm,
so there is a need to check before deciding which paddocks
are best suited for effluent application.
Soils across New Zealand have been classified into high
and low risk soil categories for farm dairy effluent application.
This means management practices should match the soil
and landscape risk to prevent loss of effluent into the
surrounding environment.
To order a copy, visit dairynz.co.nz or ph 0800 4 DairyNZ
(0800 4 324 7969).
New effluent pond courses
A new InfraTrain training course for contractors and designers
of dairy effluent ponds is being supported by DairyNZ.
The course, established by DairyNZ in conjunction with InfraTrain
New Zealand and Opus International Consultants, is for contractors
and designers wanting to get up-to-speed with new design
standards for well-constructed effluent storage.
DairyNZ project manager for effluent, Dr Theresa Wilson, says
DairyNZ strongly support trained companies. “DairyNZ will be
actively advising farmers to use companies who have gone through
Tim Mackle
CEO DairyNZ
the training course, so they can be sure they will get trained advisors.”
To pass on course information to your local contractor, get them
to visit nzweta.org.nz
InsideDairy
1
cover feature
Looking after
the young ones
Helping heifers hit liveweight targets
2
dairynz.co.nz
Manawatu farmer Christine Finnigan
experienced the serious effects of off-farm
grazing going wrong two years ago. Her
230 cow herd is in the top five percent in the
country for BW and PW and she takes pride
in growing good young stock.
“Over the past 20 years it’s been rare that we haven’t had
good young stock so when you have a year when they get a
real knock, it sticks out like a sore thumb,” she says.
“We had a dry autumn followed by warm wet weather and
a flush of growth in June. They were out grazing and they
got ostertagia. It was a classic opportunity for worms and in
particular ostertagia, which hits them real fast. Two of the
yearlings died and another failed to thrive and was eventually
put down.
“It’s just a classic example of turning your back on them
and something goes wrong – like these heifers were at grazing
so I wasn’t seeing them – and you pay for it. They had been
reasonable calves when they went off, they weren’t about to
die – they just needed regular monitoring and a timely response
to a problem. It’s just about good management really.”
^ Young stock take priority on Christine Finnigan's
Manawatu farm.
(cont'd pg 4)
InsideDairy
3
(cont'd from pg 3)
“There’s a lot of trust and you’re very reliant on
people doing what they say they’re going to do."
The effects of the serious knock on the young stock soon
showed up. “You don’t ever fully recover. With (InCalf) Fertility
Focus Report you can track some of these things,” she says.
“We generally get 85 to 90 percent calving in the first three
weeks. We were slightly behind with 82 percent but where it
really showed up was in the three-week submission rate.
“Ours is generally above 90 percent for first calvers, and
I know it doesn’t sound like a big difference, but it was
84 percent for this group.
“They’re the youngest, most vulnerable, cows in the milking
herd and visibly they were smaller than normal. While they had
enough condition on them when they came home, that knock
the previous year really affected their size. It is harder to quantify
the effect it had on production.”
As well as the continuing effects on her herd, Christine lost
the opportunity to sell the three yearlings which died, a loss of
around $4500. Most years she sells half of her 80 young heifers.
“It’s a bit soul-destroying really. You put a lot of time and
^ Christine Finnigan says last year, ostertagia had a
effort into young stock and I rear the calves myself. They’re an
significant impact on in-calf rates and sale of calves.
important component of my business and I am passionate about
my livestock.
“There’s a lot of trust and you’re very reliant on people doing
what they say they’re going to do. By paying them to graze your
young stock, you’re delegating that responsibility to them. In
reality that is not realistic – you have to keep an eye on your
own stock.”
Half of Christine’s young stock now go to a different grazier.
“The other thing is I weighed all my calves this year because
they’re going to two different places and we’ll be able to
benchmark progress. It also helps to give the grazier feedback
on the job he is doing.”
Christine says to grow heifers well, it’s important they don’t
get any knocks. “Once we wean, we set stock around the farm
so we have two per paddock. That’s the ultimate for growing
good calves because they always had feed in front of them.
“They stay in the paddock as the herd come in and out to
graze. This continues until they go off to grazing, generally
about February. This year the kiwi-cross calves weighed 186kg
average in February and 250kg average in late May, fed on
grass from weaning."
^ Christine Finnigan.
3
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the pLuses
of hitting
target
South Canterbury vet and InCalf advisor,
^ Weighing young stock brings big benefits in
Andrew Bates, says the benefits of achieving
reproduction. Dario Mendoza, of Vetlife Oamaru,
target weights for young stock begins at mating.
weighing young stock on-farm in Canterbury.
“If they are at the appropriate weight, most of them will be
cycling and you’ll get good conception rates, so they’ll calve
early. That gives more time between the first calving and the
next mating to get in calf again. This means they’re more likely
to get back in calf early and calve early as three year olds,”
says Andrew.
“If you get them up to their correct body condition score and
weight for calving, they will cope better with the transition into
the milking herd, will milk better and give more kilograms of milk
solids for that lactation. In turn, they will get back in calf faster
and fewer will be empty.”
Andrew says a high standard has to be set from the beginning
of an animal’s life. “Weaning weight is crucial – making sure
^ Dario weighs heifers at Daniel and
they’re weaned at an adequate weight and making sure they
Penny Burgess' Canterbury dairy farm.
are able to cope with the change from a milk-based diet to a
pasture-based diet.
“That first year is really important too because that’s the age
when the most rapid skeletal development takes place. Pelvic
must be on target. However, you’ll quite easily have a tail end
size is usually fixed by the end of the first year, so undergrown
of 30 to 50 percent of the mob that’s underweight and if you
animals in that first year will have trouble at calving even if
don’t spot that quickly, they remain underweight and you’ll have
they grow well in the second year. Poor growth in the first
problems at mating and calving, plus lower production when
year will also delay the onset of puberty, leading to fewer
milking,” says Andrew.
early in calf heifers
“We’ve found that in the first year you should weigh them
“You need good frame size and gut capacity so that heifers
preferably every month or six weeks. This allows you to spot
can eat enough to cope with the demands of milking, getting
any fall off in performance much more quickly, then you can
back in calf and – for the first year in the milking herd – have
do something about it.
good growth.”
Andrew says body condition scoring and weighing animals,
“Whereas if we weigh less frequently, we can tell they’ve
lost weight and things have gone wrong, but we’ve lost so
and looking at the range of weights in the mob, is a valuable
much ground it can be quite difficult to get that back. In the
way to monitor their progress - even though only about five
second year, regular weighing makes sure things are staying
percent of New Zealand dairy farmers record liveweights in
on track.”
MINDApro.
“If you just look at the average weight of a mob you can get
To find out more about the InCalf programme and find a
trained advisor in your area, visit dairynz.co.nz/incalf.
a false sense of security thinking if the average is ok, everything
InsideDairy
5
study highLights
missed potentiaL
New Zealand dairy farmers are missing out on millions of dollars in potential income by not achieving
target BV liveweights in their young stock.
LIC have recently completed a study that shows 73 percent of
youngstock weights by age, compared to target weights
500
22-month-old heifers are more than 5 percent below their target
weight, based on breeding value. And that is costing farmers
three months, but after that the majority fall behind.
“At six months, 53 percent are more than 5 percent below
300
200
reared in New Zealand, and on average reach target weight at
Animal weight (kg)
Research scientist Lorna McNaughton says analysis of LIC data
on more than 200,000 animals showed calves are generally well
Key
Actual weights
Target weights
100
production and reproductive performance.
400
up to $300 per head, or on average $100 per head, in lost
target, this increases to 61 percent at 15 months and 73 percent
0
at 22 months,” says Lorna.
“Growth rates over the animals’ first winter are a real problem
3
6
9
12
15
22
Animal age (months)
area, with heifers averaging only 0.3kg/day, when they need
to be growing at nearly double this rate to stay on target. The
heifers never fully recover from this period of low growth rates.
“This research clearly identifies winter feeding and
An LIC survey questioned farmers about their behaviour
around young stock. “It linked back to out of sight, out of mind
management as an area for farmers and graziers to target to
– ‘I can’t control anything when I send them off grazing’ but
improve heifer performance.”
actually farmers can,” says Greg. “Farmers have to see it as their
LIC reproductive solutions manager Greg McNeil says the way
rearing young stock has changed over the past 25 years is the
root of the problem.
responsibility, not just ‘I’ve passed them off to the grazier, I’ll
leave it up to them’.”
To help farmers keep track of whether their young stock is
“Originally at home on the
reaching target liveweights,
dairy farm they were under
“This research clearly identifies winter feeding and
the farmer’s management but
management as an area for farmers and graziers to
Weights – the most recent
then it became known ‘if I
target to improve heifer performance.”
addition to its online farm
send them off, I can produce
more milk which is more profitable’, so they sent animals off
to grazing properties.”
As more grazing blocks were converted to dairy farming,
LIC has developed MINDA
management system.
“Provided the weights have been entered into MINDApro,
MINDA Weights will compare the animals' actual liveweights
against the individual target liveweights, based on liveweight
young stock were sent further afield, often into country once
breeding values at mob level and individual animal level,”
regarded as more suitable for sheep and beef.
says Greg.
“One, they’re not as closely monitored and, two, the climatic
conditions, feed quality and the whole infrastructure around
growing good young stock, isn’t there.”
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MINDA Weights is now available, free to MINDApro customers
via MINDA Home.
heifer rearing tooL
a great pLace to start
BY CHRIS BURKE | DairyNZ scientist, animal science team
Heifer rearing is one of the eight key management areas that affect reproductive performance.
This area, in particular, can be managed very well or very
poorly. The difference in success with rearing young stock
comes down to attitude, priorities and responsibilities. Are they
a priority class of stock and who is responsible for ensuring they
are healthy and well-grown?
The InCalf heifer rearing tool will estimate whether there
is a gap between desired and actual heifer growth that is
compromising the reproductive performance and milk production
of first calvers in your herd.
First, you need to establish their expected mature liveweight
and monitor liveweight growth (pg6 of the heifer rearing tool).
There are three ways to estimate the expected mature cow
liveweight – by breed type, what your current mature cows
weigh, or the mature cow liveweight breeding value (Lwt BV)
of the heifer crop.
The latter is the preferred option because it keeps pace with
advancing genotypes and crossbreeding.
Farmers can be surprised when they discover they’ve been
underestimating target heifer weights based on their traditional
method. Your InCalf Fertility Focus Report may indicate that,
from past results, heifer rearing could be improved.
Check that the calving pattern and three-week submission
rates of first calvers are on target. If not, it could mean they
^ Heifers below their liveweight-for-age targets are likely
to have a lower six-week in-calf rate and higher empty rates
as first calvers. Weighing young stock helps track progress.
are being undergrown.
Growth targets based on the expected mature cow liveweight
of the heifer follow the ‘30-60-90’ rule (pg43 of the InCalf
Book). At six, 15 and 22 months of age, they should be 30
have a lower six-week in-calf rate and higher empty rates as first
“from the day a heifer calf is born,
you control the factors that influence
her future fertility and whether she
gets in calf on time, every time.” –
calvers. Evidence-based relationships between heifer growth and
The InCalf Book (pg 3).
percent, 60 percent and 90 percent of their expected mature
cow liveweight.
Heifers below their liveweight-for-age targets are likely to
reproductive performance then estimate the likely effect of any
liveweight gaps.
A 10 percent liveweight gap is expected to reduce six-week
in-calf rate by 5 percent and increase empty rate by 2 percent.
The lost potential on operating profit is $40 per heifer in this
case. This gap will also reduce production by about 8kg MS or
about $45 in milk revenue per first calver.
The InCalf heifer rearing tool can be downloaded from
dairynz.co.nz/herdtools. A support service is available
through InCalf trained advisors.
To find out more about the InCalf programme visit
dairynz.co.nz/incalf
InsideDairy
7
dairynz view
Another generation
of workers arrive
Over the next two months, another generation of dairy workers
is arriving on the farm – your valuable AI bred heifer calves.
This issue of Inside Dairy has a focus on young stock. Getting
heifer calves to their first calving alive, pregnant and at target
weight and condition is a foundation stone of genetic gain and
cow performance.
Unfortunately there is plenty of evidence that heifers are not
getting to target weights. A recent LIC study showed 73 percent
DairyNZ strategy
and investment
leader - productivity,
Bruce Thorrold >
of 22-month-old heifers are more than 5 percent below their
target weight, based on breeding value.
This poor performance has consequences. Heifers failing to
reach target weight for mating will still get in calf, but they
will be later calving. And you know what happens from there!
Late to be mated, low conception rates and either late calving
next year, or empty, and into the carryovers for a low stress but
expensive gap year.
The majority of dairy farms contract out young stock rearing
– in many cases through formal contracts. In theory, this should
make getting to targets easy. Liveweights can be tracked against
targets based on heifer breed or liveweight breeding value.
Individual animals are weighed – so that tail-end heifers can
be identified and given preferential treatment. And a monthly
grazing cheque and the contract mean that someone
is accountable for the result.
That’s the theory, but it’s not happening. We all tolerate some
level of poor performance in the people we buy services from –
it’s called emotional coping. I think this just means that the grief
of sorting out poor delivery isn’t worth the effort (especially if it
might actually have been our fault).
As consumers of rearing services, dairy farmers are part of the
contract – we supply the calves, specify the target weights and
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should be tracking progress. And of course no-one can control
the weather and unexpected disease in advance. And the next
guy might be worse!
The irony is that your dairy graziers are usually very motivated
to do a good job for you. They’re probably doing some
emotional coping of their own over the quality of your rearing,
how crossbred mobs have such a big range of sizes and why you
never show up to admire their work.
So it’s not surprising that it often takes a crisis to make
confronting the issue worth the effort.
The InCalf approach of continuous improvement is all about
not waiting for the crisis, because disappointing empty rates
are usually the result of a chain of small problems, not a crisis.
Young stock management is a good place to start improvement.
Your herd reports on calf deaths, Fertility Focus reports on
the first calvers and liveweight results from your graziers are a
good place to begin the discussion about making young stock
performance a pleasure for both parties.
heifer management
Pre-calving heifers
not at target weights?
BY CHRIS BURKE & JANE KAY | DairyNZ scientists, animal science team
If heifers enter the lactating herd in poor shape they will have greater
health problems, produce less milk and take longer to start cycling than
those which met growth targets.
Is there anything that can be done to lessen the negative
effects on the future of the herd?
• Get the animals checked by your vet immediately and discuss
a health plan for them
• Manage the heifers as a separate mob. They will not compete
well in the main herd and will need extra care
• Offer good quality feed to encourage their appetite and
consider once-a-day milking to lessen the degree of negative
energy balance they will experience in early lactation
• Record pre-mating heats and be ready to intervene with noncycling treatments, if necessary.
Although the above actions may lessen the negative impact of
underweight heifers on health problems and in-calf rates, they
all bear costs, including increased labour, increased farm working
expenses and decreased milk production.
So it is much more desirable to prevent this situation
occurring. What should be done to prevent this
happening again?
• Monitor the yearlings more closely, as they may be exposed
to the same risks and not meet targets at first calving
• Review your heifer rearing management policy
• Be proactive with monitoring heifer weights and respond
quickly when growth targets are not being achieved.
Remember, these animals form the basis for the future herd
and a small amount of effort and attention to detail now, can
ensure these animals meet their lifetime production potential.
Try the InCalf heifer rearing tool - available from
dairynz.co.nz/herdtools
^ Heifers form the basis of your future herd –
good management will help them meet their
production potential.
InsideDairy
9
animal health
Heifer rearing - the
organic experience
BY ALAN THATCHER
| Massey University senior veterinarian
Whether choosing to drench young stock or not, there are good
practice grazing management regimes which can help minimise
the likelihood of stock contracting ostertagia or cooperia.
Experiences from the organics trials have relevance to all
Larval numbers on pasture
farmers, particularly with the emergence of widespread drench
resistance by the cooperia parasite, which highlights our reliance
on drenches for worm control.
On its own, cooperia won’t produce a spectacularly sick
animal, but it will affect growth rates. Grazing management
can be used as a tool to limit that reliance.
Experience with organic calves at Massey’s Dairy Cattle
Research Unit (DCRU) has shown it is quite possible to rear
good quality heifers without resorting to drenching.
However, success requires an understanding of the biology
of the parasites involved and tailoring that to an individual
farm situation.
SPRING
SUMMER
AUTUMN
WINTER
Larval development
The survival of larvae and their speed of development on
pasture depend very much on climate.
Summer dry and winter cold slow them right down but eggs
are much more resistant and can hang around until conditions
are more suitable.
What tends to happen is a minor rise in the numbers of larvae
in spring, then a drop off in summer, followed by a rapid buildup in early autumn once rain arrives. This is the major danger
period for spring-born calves.
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The two most important worms are ostertagia, which live in
the abomasum (the fourth and final stomach compartment) and
cooperia which live in the small intestine. Ostertagia in particular
can make calves quite sick.
The objective is to keep larval intake low enough that weight
gain is not affected, while allowing just sufficient exposure for
resistance to develop.
Key to achieving this is minimising exposure to the autumn
larval peak.
< Massey University’s Dairy Cattle Research Unit (DCRU) has shown
it is quite possible to rear good quality heifers without drenching.
Creating clean pasture for the autumn:
• Cut for supplement. The regrowth will be safe from larvae
but watch out for facial eczema if cutting for hay in the
summer. The dead material left behind may result in high
spore counts when it rains
• Re-grass. High tannin species such as chicory may help
• Spelling. If there’s been no young stock in a paddock since
the winter before, it should be safe.
Spreading calves out reduces pasture contamination and larval
intake. It also helps with facial eczema (if this is a problem),
both larvae and spores tend to concentrate at the bottom of
the sward.
Do not strip graze during the risk period! Follow with older
(resistant) animals. Cleaning up 10 days after the calves, using
dries, keeps larvae to a minimum.
Calves stay on the milking platform on a rotation in front of
the cows until mid-December*. By then, the DSU flats are ready
for grazing and the calves remain there for summer. With the
arrival of autumn rains they are moved to Haurongo, which has
also had supplement cut off some paddocks.
We’ve found the timing of the move quite critical – 10 days
too late and the calves will have worms. Unfortunately in dry
years, there’s little quality feed waiting for them at Haurongo.
To bridge the gap until it greens up again, silage is fed. The
calves spend the autumn on a rotation of half a paddock at a
time. Once the cows are dried off, they are moved to Haurongo
and the calves back to the milking platform, where they first
graze new grass and tidy up over winter.
This regime doesn’t keep calves completely worm-free. We
see small numbers of eggs with FEC. However, growth rates are
not affected and target weights for mating and calving have all
been met.
Resistance and resilience
These are two sides of the same coin. A resilient animal can
carry a worm burden but show little or no signs of infection.
A resistant one has an immune system that prevents worm
establishment. There are breed differences too. Friesians tend
to be more resilient and develop resistance earlier than jerseys.
Monitoring
Faecal egg counts (FEC) are helpful when interpreted in
conjunction with growth rates and how the calves are looking.
The best way to identify ostertagia is a blood test – expensive
but useful when first developing a strategy.
Weighing can also yield really useful information and give
you warning if things are not right. A set of weigh bars don’t
cost much and can be shared between neighbours (or hired).
*Calves on the milking platform may be exposed to Johne’s
disease. If it is present, they should be kept well clear of cows
until they are at least six months old.
What doesn’t work:
Getting the timing wrong! This has happened twice,
both times resulting in an ostertagia outbreak.
The Grow Organic Dairy Project
Calves/heifers from six commercial organic farms are being
monitored for the second season. Although everyone has
different grazing regimes, those with the least worm problems
do have a number of things in common:
• Calves stay on the milking platform as long as practicable
• A clean bank of feed is created, primarily by cutting
for supplement
• Older animals are used to clean up
• Supplements fed, if necessary (as worm-free feed and/or
What we did at DCRU
What works:
There are two small organic run-off blocks adjacent to
Massey University.
One is at Haurongo, an elevated terrace, and the other at the
Dry Stock Unit (DSU) on flats next to a stream. Haurongo tends
to dry out but DSU provides good summer grazing. A cut of
to prevent grazing too low).
To sum up
Have quality feed at all times (supplement if necessary).
Create a bank of clean feed for autumn. Keep the calves spread
out. Get them there at the right time.
Keep an eye on trace elements and monitor (weighing, FEC).
silage is taken off in October.
The DCRU systems trial was funded by New Zealand dairy farmers through the DairyNZ levy. The Grow Organic
Dairy Project, coordinated by the Organic Dairy and Pastoral Group, was also funded by DairyNZ and the Sustainable
Farming Fund.
InsideDairy
11
drenching stock
Drenching cattle –
does product choice
make a difference?
BY DAVE LEATHWICK
| AgResearch Ltd, animal health group leader
The most effective way to kill parasitic worms living in the gut of
cattle is by adopting a structured programme using effective
combination drenching administered orally.
Oral drenches are substantially cheaper, less likely to select
For pour-on products, this process is hampered by the need
for drench resistance and there is a wide range of combination
for the drug to first pass through the skin, a tissue which is very
products available, some which are not available as pour-ons
effective at keeping things out (after all, that's its job). This can
or injections.
be seen in the blood profiles of drugs given by both routes, with
But most importantly, extensive trials in New Zealand have
shown that administering drenches orally is a lot more effective,
injections resulting in much higher plasma levels than pour-ons.
The trick with the oral endectocide (ivermectin-type) drenches
seems to be that the
at least against some
worm species, than
giving the same drug
as an injection
or pour-on.
Why would this be
"Drench resistant worms are very common in cattle in
drug does not need
New Zealand and so, to ensure optimum growth rates,
and transport around
it is important to use products which will work."
so? We don't have all the answers, but in this case it seems
to rely on absorption
the body in order to
reach worms living
in the gut.
The theory is that after oral administration, some of the drug
to relate to the way in which the drug reaches the worms after
is bound up with material in the gut and passes directly to the
it is administered.
organs where the worms live.
Drugs given as injections or pour-ons must first be absorbed
Combined with the portion of the dose absorbed and
into the animal's tissues, then carried around the body in the
then redirected to the gut, this results in a higher overall
blood stream and delivered to the organs where the target
concentration of the drug reaching the target worms –
worms live.
hence higher efficacy.
12
dairynz.co.nz
Product choice
Choice of drench product is important for several reasons.
Research
Little is known about best practice worm management in
Drench resistant worms are very common in cattle in New
New Zealand cattle, principally because there has been very little
Zealand and so, to ensure optimum growth rates, it is important
independent research in the field for several decades.
to use products which will work.
The major parasite showing resistance has, until recently,
Current drenching practice in calves often involves a preventive
programme of five to six treatments at four to five weekly
been cooperia which is, for the most part, a parasite of younger
intervals commencing about November. This strategy was
animals (say less than 15 months). On most farms in New
designed in the 1980s to minimise the contamination of pastures
Zealand, the only drench active which can be relied upon to
with worm larvae and is not really based on whether calves
control cooperia, is levamisole.
‘need’ every drench or not.
The problem with levamisole is that it is not especially
It is most applicable to situations where calves run together in
effective against ostertagia, the most pathogenic parasite in
isolation from adult cows, typical of most off-farm heifer grazing
cattle. Therefore, all treatments to younger cattle need to be a
situations. The value of continuing treatments through winter
combination product containing levamisole to control cooperia
and into the second year of life is largely unknown and is likely
and at least one of the other broad-spectrum drench classes to
to depend on a variety of management practices.
control ostertagia.
However, things appear to be changing for the worse with
In addition, it has been shown that cows wintered on pastures
which have been contaminated with worm larvae by heifer
the recent emergence of ostertagia showing resistance to the
grazing over the summer, are more likely to be impacted by
endectocide drenches.
worms – another benefit of an effective preventive drenching
Ostertagia is a very serious parasite in terms of its impact on
cattle growth and widespread resistance in this worm would
make life much more difficult for farmers.
programme in young stock.
Until more information becomes available, the best strategy
for farmers is to maximise the effectiveness of treatments to
Because levamisole is not very effective against ostertagia,
replacement heifers by adopting a structured programme of
farms with endectocide resistant ostertagia would have to rely
treatments as above, using effective combination drenches
on using triple combinations to ensure adequate control of all
administered orally.
worms. These are only available as orals – so oral drenching will
become inevitable for some.
The money saved by using oral treatments can be spent
improving facilities on the farm.
It would be wise for farmers to begin paying more attention
to worm management and what drench products are used
before resistance becomes a serious problem on too many farms
– as will likely happen if current practices continue.
InsideDairy
13
calf rearing
Simplifying calf rearing
Last year, did your calves reach their target weaning weights in ten
weeks? Did you wean 95 percent of the calves put in the calf shed?
Was there tension between calf rearers and the dairy team
about the care of the newborn calves, or colostrum quantity
and quality? Did the dairy team seamlessly cover the calf rearers
EXAMPLE SOP
(STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE) SHEET:
when required?
Groups of people that perform well, from sports teams to
large corporate businesses, have standard operating procedures
(SOP’s). Your farm should be no different, if you would like a
different outcome, doing the same thing will not achieve your
JOB: (short explanation of the task)
WHAT:
WHY:
desired result. Newborn calf care and calf rearing is included
PROCEDURE:
in that.
WHAT: (must be done)
These game plans or SOP’s do not need to be created by a
consultant or in the office late at night, in fact, ones created in
this way have a lower success rate.
What is needed is simple – communication among all those
involved, to discuss what is the best way to do something, jot
it down on paper and the job is half done. Yes half done, the
other part is for the senior team (including you) to make sure it
happens day in and out (see sidebar for example SOP).
If people vary from the plan, hold them accountable at a ‘fine
•
WHEN: (it must be done)
•
HOW: (to complete the task)
•
•
•
Date compiled:
People Present:
or court’ session at the end of the day or as a formal performance
issue, depending on the extent of the misdemeanour.
This simple task is bound to increase the satisfaction level of
your team through calving and produce a better result in calf
survival and growth, which has a substantial flow-on effect for
that calf’s lifetime productivity.
Here are a few things to discuss for more successful
calf rearing:
• Milking process for calf milk collection:
{
{
Separate the first milk ‘gold colostrum’ from healthy cows
All other colostrums.
• Ensuring during the first feed, calves receive 2 litres colostrum
• Transporting calves from the paddock to the calf shed
• Identifying all the calves, replacements and saleables
• Finalising the feeding regime, milk, water, meal, roughage
• Looking after cold calves and/or calves that have been assisted
• Identifying sick calves: what they look like, what to do with them
14
dairynz.co.nz
• Having a hygiene plan for cleaning pens, feeders etc
• Showing how to lift and carry calves
• Having treatment procedures for sick calves
• Carrying out daily health checks
• Having a marking system for calf treatments, non-drinkers
• Having a policy for destroying animals
• Bobby calves:
{
Plan for feeding
{
Fit for transport assessment
{
Fed within two hours of transport.
There is plenty of literature on the best practice for all
of these and plenty more (see the DairyNZ website
dairynz.co.nz/calfrearing), so mix this with the years of experience
and techniques you have developed. Write what you know works.
Once this runs like clockwork, the fine-tuning can begin.
THE MYTH:
MYTH
BUYing MEal To
fEED calvES iS a
waSTE of MonEY
BUSTERS
BY PAUL MUIR | On-Farm Research, Poukawa
B U S T ED :
We all know milk is the best feed for calves and the more you
feed them, the faster they will grow. But calves naturally reared
on their mother (think beef calves) are suckled for six months
or longer.
These calves get many small feeds and have a long time to
develop their rumen. Since no-one wants to replicate this process
B
on a dairy farm, most farmers try to grow their heifer calves as
fast as possible while cheap milk is available.
But once the colostrum has run out, the pressure comes on
to get calves weaned to avoid using vat milk or purchasing
milk powder.
For the calf to develop as a functioning ruminant, high milk
systems are not ideal. Calves might grow well while the ad lib
milk is flowing, but milk itself does not contribute to rumen
development, as it goes straight through to the abomasum
A
C
without entering the rumen.
Even grass only contributes to a slow rate of rumen
development. What really speeds up rumen development are
^ A) Six weeks: milk only. B) Six weeks: milk and grain.
C) Six weeks: milk and hay.
the by-products of grain fermentation (butyrate and proprionate).
These are volatile fatty acids which cause rapid development of
Figure 1: Images of the rumen wall from six-week-old
the papillae on the rumen wall and it is these papillae that absorb
calves fed (a) milk only, (b) milk and grain and (c) milk and
the products produced by rumen fermentation and enable the calf
hay. The ridges and papillae of the rumen wall are more
to survive on a roughage (grass) diet.
developed in the calf fed milk and grain (b), than the other
The problem is that a calf fed ad lib milk doesn’t need to eat
two examples. The darker colour of the rumen wall in
anything else and very little rumen development occurs, so it
image b is due to greater vascularisation and blood supply,
can’t be weaned. And if a calf with poor rumen development
indicating that it has advanced functionality.
is weaned, it will go through a weaning check while its rumen
adapts and gets to the stage where it can digest grass – this can
mean many weeks of poor growth.
(Reproduced with permission from Dr Jud Heinrichs,
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences; source:
http://www.das.psu.edu/research-extension/dairy/)
To get around these issues, the average dairy farmer feeds
calves on milk for 9-10 weeks. But to achieve earlier weaning,
milk needs to be restricted (e.g. to 3-4 litres a day) so that calves
will eat the meal offered.
So calves are fed less milk energy at 18 cents/MJME (for vat
Getting calves onto meal has other benefits – once they are
milk) and more meal energy at 6 cents/MJME. This enables
used to eating meal, they will be readily supplemented post-
early weaning so calves can be fed and utilise grass energy at
weaning and over summer (crushed maize is ideal) to maintain
1-2 cents/MJME.
target growth rates.
InsideDairy
15
water efficiency
Smart water use
in the farm dairy
BY GORD STEWART
| DairyNZ Smart Water Use programme manager
Get a group of dairy farmers together for a discussion, steer it toward
efficient water use on farm, and a wealth of ideas result.
That was our experience at Smart Water Use Ideas Exchange
For hosing, technique is important. Work close to the effluent
sessions in the Bay of Plenty. Farm owners, managers, sharemilkers
and train all staff to use the desired approach. Make sure pump
and staff came along to discuss what works and why.
capacity and hose size are compatible, and go for high water
Tried and true approaches in the farm dairy were duly noted
and now is a great time to run through the list to check on
opportunities for improvement.
One reminder was that the temperature of source water will
volume under low pressure.
Check total water use by calculating flow rate (time water
running into a 200-litre drum) multiplied by how long it normally
takes for wash-down and look for ways to improve.
partly determine how much is needed for milk cooling. For older
A final step could be reusing green water – a flood wash with
plate coolers, the recommended ratio is about 2.5 litres of water
water from the effluent pond. For this, refer to conditions of use
to 1 litre milk. For modern coolers the ratio should be 2:1.
from your milk processor.
You can measure water flow rate (time water running into a
drum) and how long the pump runs during milking to check total
water use, then look at ways to reduce it.
One way to reduce water use is to match plate cooler water
flow to milk flow, if you’re not set up that way already. For
intermittent flow, you can install a solenoid valve at the inlet to
the cooler and link it to the milk pump. Installing a variable flow
drive can achieve the same thing.
After milk cooling, the water can be stored in a second tank
for yard wash-down or stock. A float system or probes will ensure
enough space to take all the water.
Rainwater from the shed roof should be diverted from the yard
so it doesn’t add to effluent volumes. Capturing it in the second
tank makes good sense.
On to yard wash-down and if you do it manually, use a scraper
chain on the bottom of the backing gate (run through an old
yard hose for 100 percent coverage) to break up dung before
wash down.
Check out dairynz.co.nz/smartwateruse for more information.
Ask your DairyNZ consulting officer for a resource kit or ring
^ Hosing technique is important in minimising
0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969) to order.
water use in the dairy shed.
16
dairynz.co.nz
the pasture page
Will achieving target grazing
residuals reduce ryegrass persistence?
BY CHRIS GLASSEY | DairyNZ farm systems specialist
This question was recently asked
at the DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum.
1
Research has shown that achieving recommended grazing
residuals of between 3.5cm to 5cm (or 7-10 clicks on the rising
plate meter) will not reduce ryegrass persistence.
In fact, not achieving these residuals through lax grazing or
repeated hard grazing (especially in summer) are the real threats
2
to persistence. The recommended grazing residuals are right in
the “sweet spot” for pasture persistence.
This is because ryegrass is well adapted to grazing and reproduces
through its tillering (or shoot production) mechanism.
Ryegrass persistence depends on the rate of tillering in pastures.
A ryegrass plant usually has more than one tiller. In the photo
(right), there are three tillers on one plant, a main or larger tiller
3
(1) and two daughter tillers (2 and 3) emerging from the base of
the plant.
Old tillers die (life expectancy is about 100 days) and are replaced
by new tillers. If old tillers are dying faster than new tillers are
^ A ryegrass plant with three tillers. Main tiller (1)
and two younger daughter tillers (2 and 3).
appearing, then a persistence problem is likely.
Grazing management of pastures impacts on persistence by
influencing the number and size of the ryegrass tillers present.
Each tiller has a growing point from which new leaves grow.
The growing point is found at the base of the tiller, close to
the soil surface.
Grazing management recommendations
(to encourage tillering and persistency):
Winter (up to balance date when pasture growth matches cow
demand): increase grazing intensity e.g. graze down to a 2.5cm
This means it is rarely damaged during cow grazing. Damage
stubble height or 1200kg DM/ha residual. Reduce grazing frequency
from treading and dung and urine deposits is more likely. The low
to every 60-100 days. This allows for the slow leaf emergence in
position of the growing point facilitates regrowth after grazing.
winter. Ryegrass is well adapted to recover from lower grazing
Young tillers become separated from the parent tiller and form
residuals in winter, provided pugging is avoided.
Spring (after balance date): increase grazing frequency and
new plants.
Under modern grazing management, tillering is the main
aim for 3.5cm-5cm residuals. This will encourage tillering and will
mechanism by which new plants form. Few new ryegrass plants
enable the pasture to enter summer with a high tiller density. Graze
in established pasture result from germination of seed formed on
more often (every 16-26 days). Long grass (and high residuals) will
mature seedheads.
discourage tillering.
Modern pasture management reduces seedhead development
Summer: graze to similar residuals as in spring. Don’t go below
and therefore the input of new seed. So for pastures to persist,
these levels, particularly if the pasture is moisture stressed (avoid
each main tiller must leave behind at least one new
overgrazing). The aim is to keep the tiller density constant during
(daughter) tiller.
Ryegrass pastures are adaptable and can change from having
many small tillers per m2 in response to frequent intense grazing,
to fewer larger tillers per m in response to less frequent grazing.
2
summer. Reduce grazing frequency to every 30 days to allow for
slower leaf emergence, resulting from moisture and heat stress.
Grazing intervals of more than 30 days make reduced palatability
from fungal rust more likely.
InsideDairy
17
Over the next few months, this new column ‘milking
smarter, not harder’ aims to outline ideas to make
what’s hot
>>>
c o v e r f esmarter,
ature
milking
not harder
milking easier and quicker.
The series will cover ways to improve cow comfort and flow,
Rosie rapt to meet
John Key at Fieldays
plus offer tips on milking routines aimed at reducing effort
and worry.
Cow flow
Cows flow well when they
can move through the
Investing in a grazier with
milking process without
weigh scales
risk of getting hurt or
frightened. They end up
comfortably in their bails,
knowing the machines,
milkers and the milking
environment will be
consistent, gentle and
non-threatening.
^ Take a look at your shed for
any hazards, like an unsafe
Walk
around
wherever your | Job
BY FIRST
ANDLASTNAME
titlerail end (pictured).
breast
cows walk. If you were a
cow would you move confidently – and quickly? Or be fearful
of slipping or injury? Eliminate slippery concrete, tight turns,
Brown
sugar and
cream on
porridge
jutting pipe ends, gate gudgeons and sharp edges that may
cause injury.
Milksmart workbook
The workbook used last
summer by people at the
useful tool when checking
out your farm dairy. It’s
written to cover both rotaries
and herringbones.
A walk through most dairies
>>>
Milksmart seminars is a very
what’s not
Snow
takes about half an hour. Follow the checklist, write down
the measurements and compare with the guidelines given,
to indicate where a change may benefit.
To order copy of the Milksmart workbook, email
[email protected], ph 0800 4 DairyNZ (08000 4 324 7969)
The GC
or download a copy from the Milksmart website
milksmart.co.nz
The milking smarter, not harder column is provided by farm
dairy specialist Mel Eden, who works with DairyNZ on the
Milksmart programme, which aims to improve milk harvesting
efficiency. To find out more, visit milksmart.co.nz
18
dairynz.co.nz
Early
calvers
REGIONAL UPDATE
SOUTH WAIKATO
Groups a forum
for sharing ideas
A DairyNZ discussion group formed in response to a drought in 2008 is still
going strong thanks to the commitment of a dairy farming couple who value
sharing ideas.
Tirau farmers Jack and Antoinette Steegh are two of more
than 180 convenors nationwide.
Convenors make contact with farmers in their area to keep
them updated on discussion group topics and timings. They also
work with consulting officers to ensure the groups are meeting
the needs of attendees.
Antoinette says they formed the Tirau discussion group
because they saw a need for communication between farmers
during a stressful time.
^ Convenors play a pivotal role in
“We started the group after the drought in 2008 which was
organising DairyNZ discussion groups.
the worst drought we’ve ever had in our farming history. We
found that all the farmers locally weren’t getting to share ideas
on how they were coping so we decided to get a discussion
group going again – and we contacted DairyNZ.”
Sharing ideas and keeping in touch with farmers at different
Each convenor has their own system of keeping discussion
groups running smoothly.
Jack and Antoinette stay connected with their farming
stages in their career is important to Antoinette and Jack who
community and ensure those who attend discussion groups are
own a 270 cow farm which they bought 24 years ago. Before
kept updated through regular emails summarising each event.
that they were sharemilkers.
Their hard work is appreciated.
“Young people are really important to our group. We have to
South Waikato consulting officer Amy Johnson says convenors
have the guys on wages coming through and the sharemilkers.
play a pivotal role in running successful discussion groups. “They
I try to make sure our groups include all those guys and it’s really
are extremely important in raising awareness because they have
neat to keep involved and hear their perspective on our industry,
the community relationships,” says Amy.
because we are not going to go anywhere without them.”
The Steeghs run an efficient system but are open to new ideas
and as a result of one discussion group two years ago, began to
use 16-hour milking for part of the season.
“The Steeghs, they are exceptional, because they are so motivated
and they get everyone else motivated to come to groups.”
For more information on discussion groups visit
dairynz.co.nz/events
“We would never have done 16 hour milking – we used to
think it was madness. But about two years ago, in November,
we all had a dry spell. We went to a discussion group where the
South Waikato Consulting Officers
Regional Leader
Wade Bell
027 285 9273
Te Awamutu
John Vosper
027 475 0918
farm policies to go on 16 hours around Christmas time and it
Otorohanga
Sarah Dirks
021 770 859
works really well for us.”
South Waikato
Amy Johnson
027 483 2205
host farmer had just gone on 16 hours and we thought why not
try give it a go, we’ve got nothing to lose. Now it is one of our
InsideDairy
19
REGIONAL UPDATE
NORTHLAND
NORTH WAIKATO
Calves that are reared well will perform better for the rest of
their lives, says Northland consulting officer James Muwunganirwa.
Discussion groups in July will focus on calf rearing, giving dairy
Spring pasture management will be one of the topics covered at
Pasture Plus groups this month.
North Waikato consulting officer Fiona Wade says Pasture
farmers the opportunity to hone their skills and improve their calf
Plus groups are a good way for farmers to build on their pasture
rearing systems. Topics will include feeding regime, infrastructure,
management skills.
“Pasture eaten is a key driver of profitability on dairy farms and
stockmanship and weaning.
By getting young stock to hit target liveweights you will be
Pasture Plus groups cover key aspects of pasture management
contributing to better reproductive performance in the long-term,
including feed budgets, feed wedges, rising plate meters and spring
says James.
rotation planners,” says Fiona.
“Reproductive performance management of a heifer starts on
“Now is a particularly important time to turn your attention to
the day a calf is born. Giving them the right attention early on
pasture, because grazing management during and after calving
will help secure healthy, well grown heifers.”
largely determines production up until Christmas.”
For more information on Pasture Plus groups go to
For more information on discussion groups go to
dairynz.co.nz/events.
dairynz.co.nz/events.
North Waikato Consulting Officers
Northland Consulting Officers
Regional Leader
Tafi Manjala
027 499 9021
Regional Leader
Duncan Smeaton
021 245 8055
Far North
Kylie Harnett
027 243 6503
South Auckland
Sarah Payne
027 486 4344
Phil Irvine
027 483 9820
Lower Northland
James Muwunganirwa
021 242 5719
Hamilton North
Whangarei West
Helen Moodie
021 816 365
Matamata
Duncan Smeaton
021 245 8055
Paeroa/Te Aroha
Shane Croft
027 293 4401
Hauraki Plains
Fiona Wade
021 242 2127
BAY OF PLENTY
TARANAKI
Coastal Taranaki consulting officer Alicia Newport says with the
Farmers will discuss the herd reproduction results of a Waihi
lower forecast milk payout this season, it is especially important for
farm as they follow its progress through the season, via four
farmers to complete and review their budgets.
strategic visits of the discussion group, starting in July.
“All farmers need to ensure they have a good budget in place
Bay of Plenty consulting officer Wilma Foster says by following
and they are looking closely at what they are spending, including,
the progress of another business, farmers are in a better place to
of course, any variable farm costs,” she says.
assess their own practices.
“Be disciplined and consistent in monitoring financial
“An ongoing review process is absolutely critical in helping
performance against budget. Adjustments made early provide the
identify successes and weaknesses in your fertility programme,”
greatest scope for managing price and production volatility.”
says Wilma.
DairyNZ has planning and budgeting tools available on its
“By working in partnership with vets, CRV and LIC we hope to
website at dairynz.co.nz/budgets and there is also valuable
give farmers some clear information around what they can do to
information to be gained by attending farm discussion groups,
improve herd reproductive performance.”
For more information go to dairynz.co.nz/events.
with sharing of experience and expertise.
Taranaki Consulting Officers
Acting Regional Leader /
North Taranaki
Katrina Knowles
021 831 944
Bay of Plenty/Coromandel Consulting Officers
South Taranaki
Tessa Tate
021 246 5663
Regional Leader
Sharon Morrell
027 492 2907
Coastal Taranaki
Alicia Newport
021 276 5832
Western Bay of Plenty
Wilma Foster
021 246 2147
Coastal Taranaki
Michelle Taylor
027 507 7663
Whakatane
Cameron Bierre
027 288 8238
027 704 5662
Central Plateau
Moana Puha
021 225 8345
Central Taranaki
20
dairynz.co.nz
Shirley Kissic
LOWER NORTH ISLAND
WEST COAST/TOP OF THE SOUTH
A workshop in Shannon on July 11 will focus on pasture
management from planned start of calving to balance date.
The event is aimed at farmers determined to increase profit through
better pasture management.
A review of the Marlborough Monitor Farm’s 2011/12 season will
be made at a field day in Havelock on July 18.
Top of the South consulting officer Stephen Arends says the
monitor farm provides valuable information to farmers in the region.
Lower North Island senior consulting officer Leo Hendrikse says the
“Farmers can look to the monitor farm to aid their own decision-
next few months is critical in getting the farm and cows set up for
making,” he says. “The field day will outline some of the decisions
great spring production.
made last season, with discussion around what worked well and
“Participants will learn how to set up and manage a spring rotation
planner which will contribute to well fed cows and well managed,
high quality pastures,” says Leo.
what didn’t.”
DairyNZ senior scientist Kevin MacDonald will talk about the
correlation between stocking rate and profitability at the field day.
The workshop runs from 10.30am-1.30pm. For more information
go to dairynz.co.nz/events.
Soil biology will also be discussed.
For more information visit dairynz.co.nz/events.
Lower North Island Consulting Officers
West Coast/Top of the South Consulting Officers
Acting Regional Leader
Craig McBeth
027 473 4338
Nelson/Marlborough
Stephen Arends
021 287 7057
Rangitikei
Kevin Argyle
027 499 9020
West Coast
Ross Bishop
021 277 2894
Wairarapa/Tararua
Leo Hendrikse
021 286 4346
Northern Manawatu
Kim Fraser
021 222 9023
Southern Manawatu/
Horowhenua
Abby Hull
021 244 3428
CANTERBURY/NORTH OTAGO
Nutrient use efficiency will be the focus of an event in Irwell on
July 17. The event will update farmers on the proposed setting of
a nutrient limit by ECan in the Selwyn catchment and what it could
mean for them.
SOUTHLAND/SOUTH OTAGO
Southland/South Otago discussion groups continue to evolve,
so that dairy farmers can talk through common issues.
In mid-July a high-input discussion group will be launched,
catering for farmers who import a high level of feed.
North Canterbury consulting officer Kim Reid says a number of
Southland consulting officer Chris Crossley says the discussion
projects have been carried out by the dairy industry to look at ways
groups will look at some of the management decisions required to
of improving nutrient use efficiency.
implement a high-input system.
“The information from these projects is becoming increasingly
“The challenges and the needs of those who are using high
important as regional councils consider imposing, much tighter
levels of imported feed will be discussed, including how to get the
controls on farming activities through their regional plans.
most out of their feed and their pastures to increase profitability,”
“This event in Irwell will update farmers on some of this work
and also what they can do to help themselves prepare for
says Chris.
For more information visit dairynz.co.nz/events.
any changes.”
Representatives from DairyNZ, Fonterra and the Selwyn-Waihora
Zone Committee will be available to answer questions. For more
information go to dairynz.co.nz/events.
Southland/South Otago Consulting Officers
Canterbury/North Otago Consulting Officers
Regional Leader (acting)
Craig McBeth
027 473 4338
Regional Leader
Virginia Serra
021 932 515
South Otago
James Lawn
021 615 051
South Canterbury/North Otago
Chrissy Williams
021 227 6476
Tuatapere/Dipton
Anna Kempthorne
027 220 6691
Mid Canterbury
Mark Williams
021 287 7059
Central/Western Southland
Chris Crossley
021 223 7195
North and Coastal Canterbury
Kim Reid
021 246 2775
Hokonui/Northern Southland
Richard Kyte
021 285 9843
Western Canterbury
Juliette Lee
021 323 834
Eastern/Southern Southland
Nathan Nelson
021 225 6931
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