Dairy Business Centre
April 2020 Newsletter 

In this months Newsletter: 

Phosphorous Deficiency in Cows

As we are all aware phosphorous is macro mineral that has been the subject for discussion of a while now. Phosphorous (P) is a mineral most frequently associated with infertility in dairy cows.
Under normal conditions, the results of P deficiency are:
  • Poor Appetite
  • Poor production
  • Pica (craving/eating of abnormal materials)
  • Reproductive disturbances/infertility
Because 80% of P is stored in the bones, blood testing is not an accurate representation of P levels. If blood test results conclude to adequate P levels, then assume the animal is deficient. P needs to be supplemented to cows at the correct ratio to calcium for maximum absorption. Products such as DCP alone are not formulated at the correct ratio and will provide little to no P for cows to absorb. P needs to be replaced back into the cow daily to restore P that has been lost through lactation, reproduction and energy utilisation.

Product of the Month!

DBC LOOSE LICK!
An efficient and effective method for heifers and cows to receive their daily mineral requirements.

With no added flavouring, DBC Loose Lick’s provide ad-lib availability of minerals to cows that are “Craving” minerals, allowing the animal the ability to self-medicate. DBC Loose Licks are waterproof, minimising wastage.

Formulated at the correct ratios of Calcium: Phosphorous, DBC Loose Licks are designed for maximum absorption and utilisation in your herd.

Ideal for winter mineral supplementation or during the lactation season, the DBC Loose Lick range includes LITE options without trace minerals, high phosphorous (Fodder Beet Loose Lick) and Dairy Loose lick to accommodate for all diets and mineral requirements.

Click here to learn more

What’s being seen in the field?

Autumn is here, colder mornings with dew lasting longer on the ground. For those with irrigation or consistent rainfall, pasture growth rates are beginning to slow. Be prepared for a long winter with the first frosts already starting in parts of the country. Ensure you have adequate feed on hand to allow your herd to remain productive until the end of season and young stock to grow.

Things to check:

  • Make sure winter feed budgets are done to ensure there is enough feed on hand to get through the winter months.
  • Analyse what is being fed on farm now to ensure it is balancing with what the animal requires to perform. Conduct feed testing analysis to assess quality. This will determine factors in the diet that need to be changed.
  • NOW is the time to add appropriate minerals to the system. This includes Macro minerals such as Phosphorous and Calcium – ensure these are at the correct ratios for maximum absorption!
  • Young stock need minerals to grow. R1’s are at critical growth stage of development and R2’s are pregnant and still growing. The best form of mineral supplementation for heifers at grazing are Loose Lick options. This always ensures consistent mineral consumption when compared to mineral injectables and lick blocks.

Market Update

Wheat                                                                                                             Cropping farmers are just finishing an exceptionally good harvest for wheat crops. Yields for autumn sown crops were consistently yielding 10% more than average, leading us to assume this has been the best wheat harvest seen in the last ten years. We have seen prices start to soften from the $420-$430/T mark that they reached in the December 2019 – January 2020. It is anticipated that the price will hold around the $400/T mark until the other side of winter.
Traditionally, small volumes of grain get traded through the winter months. Growers tend to wait and see how cold and wet spring is to understand the likely demand. With current supply, it is not predicted to see any lift in price, unless there is a shortage of other supplements in the market.
It may be sensible to contract up to 50% of what you may need if you want to offset some risk.
Barley   
Harvest is also just being completed now. Yields have not been as high as wheat, however, are still above average. There was a small carry-over from last season’s crop which has added to this year’s supply. It was anticipated that the barley price was to fall as low as $360/T, but, arable farmers are reluctant at this stage to sell that low.  At present, barley being contracted around the $380/T mark. Just like wheat, we do not see much activity happening through the next 4 months.

PKE        
PKE prices have risen sharply since the start of March. Driven mostly by short supplies coming out of Malaysia, but also as the dollar has slipped against the USD. However, the major issue now is the coronavirus and how that will affect production lines and load outs. This is uncharted territory so we do not know how the Malaysian government will react if the virus takes hold in that country. (currently sitting at 2,470 cases). Fruit is now available to be crushed but it is uncertain if there will be employees available to crush it.
Internationally freight prices should soften, due to the crude oil prices being low.

Even though prices for PKE are sitting around a $365/T for next year, it might pay to get some cover if PKE is a big part of your management on farm.

Soya Meal 
Soya meal has found some support in the last few weeks as China start to buy boat loads out of the Americas. As the exchange rate has softened the local NZ price has been pushed up. Currently South America is going through its harvest and yields are poorer than what was anticipated. This will put pressure on pricing in the short term if China continues to buy. Currently there is good stocks of Soya meal in the world, however, one poor yielding harvest from North and South America can change that in a hurry.

Other Proteins 
There has been a good harvest of canola seed. This suggests meal supplies will remain strong keeping prices steady. There was also a very good harvest of peas. There should be no shortage this coming year.

Want to retain the quality of your maize and save money while doing it?

Use Silo Guard at less than 1cent/KGDM, Silo Guard promotes faster, healthier fermentation of silage.

Dairy Business Centre is an essential supplier for our primary producers and we are open and operating during this time!

If you have any questions, concerns or just needing someone to talk please give us a call. If you have any questions regarding COVID19 please phone Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or click the link below to the government’s dedicated website.

COVID19.govt.nz