Dairy Business Centre
September 2021 Newsletter

In this months Newsletter:

Important Commodity Market Update
Cost of Empty Cows
Product of the Month – MILK – Maker
Had Cows with Milk Fever?
Maximize Calf Feed
What’s Being Seen in the Field
Hard Hoof MAX-T-Mins
Contact Us

Important Commodity Market Update

We are currently experiencing what is known as “Agflation” for commodities around the world and commodities coming into New Zealand (NZ).

Commodity pricing is heavily influenced by the international shipping prices which we have seen climb steeply over the past 12 months. To provide context, 12 months ago, a 20 foot container from China to NZ would cost approx. $2,000 USD ($2,857 NZD). Today those freight rates have increased 275%, to a cost $7,500 USD ($10,714 NZD). Unfortunately for the commodity market the pricing of freight is carried on to the importer and to the customer, ie the farmers purchasing product.

Alongside this increase in freight, it is becoming extremely difficult to maintain consistent supply of product such as Magnesium and Sodium Bicarbonate, as freight companies have limited space due to less ships moving. Space on ships is also promised to the higher paying companies so stock may be push back by weeks. This is again, driving prices upwards.

In addition to freight influence, we are seeing Stockfeed shortages around the globe. With the latest hurricane in the U.S wiping out some crops, but more importantly logistic infrastructures, on the Mississippi river. This has put pressure on feeds such as DDG coming into NZ, making the availability of product on the SPOT market near impossible to obtain at present.

PKE
The PKE price is remaining high at origin due to continued staff shortages to process the fruit. PKE freight prices are 3x higher than what they were 12 months ago, so this suggests that there will be no ease in the NZ domestic pricing in the near future. There is also a possibility PKE may become difficult to source on the SPOT market if high load out volumes continue due to grass growth being slow off the mark.

Proteins
Soya Meal spot price has, as predicted, continued to fall back over recent weeks. With the U.S receiving much needed rains positively impacting Soya bean plant growth. We expect this market to remain volatile for the next month, but with a downward trend.

DDG price is set to rise due to lack of availability in NZ currently. Contract tonnages are safe and confirmed at present.

Canola that is currently available is NZ grown Canola Meal (rapeseed meal). Because of NZ supplies Canola pricing has remained consistent. Aussie Canola is hard to get presently and at a competitive rate due to the freight issue.

Peas are an alternative rumen degradable protein source that can fill the protein gap in pasture.

Grains
It is well known by now that last season’s harvest of cereals across the South Island were only average, when taken into account all areas throughout the Island. And due to increases in international freight prices, other species ie poultry and swine are buying local supply grains as they are cheaper than imported grain and present. So these two factors are putting pressure on local grain stocks and there is a real concern from DBC that we will run out of local grain before the new harvest gets started.
Unless contracted, there is little to no Barely available on the SPOT market. What may be available will have questionable quality.
For the new harvest this summer, it is anticipated that all grain harvested will start off at higher prices off the back of good local demand and higher growing costs of the crop.

Other Commodities
Soya Hulls are becoming difficult to source with no SPOT sales being offered at present.
Tapioca is limited with no importation of the product into the South Island this season so far.

For more information on the market or to contract commodities please get in touch with your DBC rep about feed options we can provide to help you through these times.

The DBC arrow traffic light system is a good indication on the direction the market price is moving and when the time is right to buy.

Empty Cows – How much are they really costing you?

It is fair to say that getting cows in calf earlier, and tightening the calving spread is a desired goal for many farmers. In Canterbury, after speaking with many vet practices, it was estimated the average empty rate is a staggering 17%. With industry recommendations aiming for < 10%.

How much is an empty cow costing your business?

For the average sized Canterbury dairy herd of 700 cows, the overall herd reproductive performance “gap” is costing $32,200 per year!

Want to know how much empty cows are costing your herd?
Click the link below to find the InCalf Gap Calculator

InCalf Gap Calculator

How can you improve your empty rate?

The success of the dairy cow is determined by her initial transition from a dry cow to a lactating cow. This critical period will determine her overall performance for the season. It is necessary to have good transition management practices leading into early lactation ensuring cows are healthy.

Below are some of our top tips to aid in improving the overall in calf rate.

Metricheck your herd

Metrichecking is necessary to ensure the cows are healthy. Cows suffering from uterine infections are less likely to get in calf than clean cows. Therefore, it is recommended to metricheck and treat “dirty” cows as soon as possible allowing them to clean up their infection and the chance to get back in calf.

Record your “on heat” cows pre-mating

Recording “on heat” cows pre-mating will allow you to learn about your herds cycling intervals as well as non-cycling cows, particularly if you are new to managing the herd. This will also allow management to train staff before mating has begun, which reduces staff practice mistakes.

Do pre-mating blood tests

Pre-mating blood tests determine the herds mineral status coming into mating and also allows you time to rectify any mineral issues. Trace minerals such as Selenium and Iodine are very important for reproduction, however, it is necessary to check for macro minerals such as Calcium and Phosphorous. Phosphorous is the back bone mineral in many reproductive hormones. If P is lacking from the cows system, these hormones will not function to their full potential.

Get your nutrition right

Nutrition and mineral management is key in ensuring healthy cows. For the first 6 months of the season dairy cows are expected to calve, hit peak within 21 days, begin cycling, get in calf again all without getting sick. This is a lot of pressure on the dairy cow and they need to be fed appropriate nutrition and minerals to meet their requirements. Minerals play a large role in overall cow health and particularly in reproductive performance. Do your blood tests, re-evaluate your mineral plan going forward and evaluate your feed management eg; as pasture changes compliment the change with appropriate supplementation.

Product of the Month

Balance the spring flush with…

MILK-Maker High Energy Feed Pellet

MILK-Maker is a high energy feed pellet containing grain and a full range of macro and trace minerals designed to optimise milk production and meet your profit targets.

With grain prices rising and the difficulty in finding quality grain this season, don’t let your cows and production fall behind, feed MILK-Maker! MILK-Maker is an “all-in-one” high energy pellet and also contains a full range of macro and trace minerals to support the cow through lactation, mating and pregnancy, improving animal health.

MILK-Maker is a range of grain based, energy dense (high ME) feed designed to maximize production through lactation. MILK-Maker has been specifically formulated to be used in conjunction with high quality pasture and other on farm supplementation in order to increase appetite and enhance milk production.

Get in touch with your DBC rep to learn more about MILK-Maker!

Benefits of using MILK – Maker …

Easy all in one pellet including minerals
Lifted energy levels
Boosted animal productivity
Cows are happier and healthier
Allows staff more productive time spent on other tasks

Had Cows with Milk Fever this calving? You need to use Get Set Cow Lead Feed!

Get-Set-Cow is a Lead Feed supplementation pellet specifically formulated to help prepare pre-calving dairy cows for lactation. Containing anionic salts, Calcium, Magnesium, grain, protein, trace minerals and Rumensin for improved energy utilisation. All this in one pellet, which removes the need to dust minerals, removes the slow transitioning period of cows consuming grain and sets cows and staff up for an easier transition and smoother calving.

“Since we have been using this feed we have had under 1 percent milk fever average last 5 seasons. 0 percent this season…” – Keith, Canterbury Dairy Farmer

Get Set Cow Lead Feed

Maximize Calf Pellets

Maximize Calf Pellets are high quality, concentrated feed pellet made right here in Canterbury. MAXIMIZE is specifically designed to maximise skeletal growth and lean muscle mass development whist providing the calf with necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. MAXIMIZE assists in strengthening the calf’s immunity and general health of your calf herd.

When compared to the protein and amino acid composition of other calf feeds; DBC MAXIMIZE tested at 94% bio-availability, compared to DDG based calf feeds at 22%.

Clients using MAXIMIZE calf pellets commented they to have used less calf feed and achieved target weights an average of two weeks earlier than expected!

Designed to only contain nutrients the calf can utilise for growth

Calves are the foundation of the future herd and if they are not given the best start they will not perform to their full potential when they enter the milking herd.

Click Here for more Info on Maximize Calf Pellets

Haven’t organsied your calf feed yet?

Get in touch with the DBC team to learn more!

What’s Being Seen in the Field

Down Cows – What percentage of your herd suffered from being down this spring? If you are having more than 2% down cows then transition diets and management may need some tweaking. Contact DBC reps for assistance in preventing down cows.

Ketosis Cows -This season we are seeing higher numbers of Ketotic cows during the first few days into lactation. Ketosis is the increased production of ketones in the cows body, when the cow is forced to mobilise body fat reserves. This is when energy intake is less than output causing an negative energy balance. Mother nature does play a hand in this with the constant changes in weather making it difficult to manage ME in the diet. If Ketotic cows are becoming more common, re-evaluate the diet, determine where the ME is lacking and adjust accordingly.

Calves – Ensure every calf is receiving gold colostrum within the first 2-4 hrs of life to kick start their immunity and set them up to grow fast and healthy. Milk is the best form of nutrient a calf can receive in the early stages of growth. Calves also need high quality calf feed and roughage to maximize their growth potential and rumen development.

Mating – Mating is just around the corner. Set cows up for a successful mating with having the herd in a positive energy balance, clean from uterine infections and minerals to suit their requirements. Check for Selenium, Copper and Iodine too.

Young stock – Replacement heifers are at critical growth stage of development in preparation for mating. Heifers need to be hitting target weights and have appropriate mineral supplementation preparing them for mating. 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. Click the button for Loose Lick information:

Loose Lick Minerals

Feed Availability – Feed is tight at present, with many starting their second round sooner than anticipated. With the volume of rain received this winter/spring, and the 190N cap coming into play, N reserves in the soil may be limited. This will potentially hinder the early, fast, quality growth rates we have traditionally seen early on in previous seasons.

Calving is a busy and stressful time of year. Remember to take care of yourself and your staff during this time.

Hard-Hoof Max-T-Mins

Max-T-Mins water soluble minerals now come with the option to improve hoof health.

There are many causes of lameness that may differ from farm to farm such as walking distance, track and paddock condition, if cows are being push or rushed when walking, time spent standing on concrete or other hard surfaces.

Cows need good strong feet to be able to walk the distance from the shed to paddock everyday. If a cows feet are sore, then it is almost certain productivity is compromised costing time and money.

Hard-Hoof Max-T-Mins are water soluble trace minerals designed to improve hoof health by strengthening the hoof horn using a range of complex B vitamins which together with Zinc and Copper are essential for enabling the growth of stronger hoof horn.

Get in touch with your DBC rep to learn more about how Hard-Hoof Max-T-Mins can help your herd.