Practise is often ahead of science
When Isaac and Angelique Korpershoek first discussed switching to biological farming a decade ago, Isaac was “curious” and Angelique – a veterinarian – wanted the evidence-based science.
At the time they were struggling to get their protein percentage above 3% during early lactation and Isaac said, “We were just at that point where you can only adjust so much in your grain ration, and I was starting to think that we couldn’t continue putting nitrogen on at 400kg/ha a year.”
BMCC from 300,000 to 50,000 thanks to the soil
A leap of faith has transformed the way Steve Chilcott farms in the Meander Valley, Tasmania. Biological farming still comes with enough naysayers and doubters. But there is no denying a paddock full of four and five-leaf clovers, night and day fertility results, and a somatic Cell Count (SCC) that has tracked downwards from a harrowing 300,000 to a consistent 50,000 on 350 cows. The reason? Turns out, while it’s a complicated subject, it’s not hard for farmers to switch…
Managing Fodder Beet
I’m aware what fodder beet can do to cows if it’s handled wrong, and I’m countering that by transitioning cattle on and off it gradually, making sure our cows are full all the time, and supplementing them with the MAX PHOS LOOSE-LICK. The loose-lick is an important part of my management plan, and we’ve been using it for five years now.
Hard hooves save time
Anyone who has followed a lame cow up the track, knows it’s a lesson in fortitude for the cow, and patience for the person landed with the job.
Lofty life and production goals
Ferdie Vries is exactly where he wants to be – dairying on some of the best country New Zealand has to offer.
Lead feed works. End of story.
Bill O’Sullivan says getting cows safely through calving in Southland is their priority. Along with his wife, Keri Kahotea, and family they milk 800 cows in a 50-bail rotary on 271ha. They produce 370,000kg of milk solids a year. Dairy farming is a constant challenge, and no two days are the same.
Getting it right for calves from day one
Sara, along with her husband Stu, share milk 750 Jerseys in Mid Canterbury. Both Sara and Stu come from strong dairy farming backgrounds with Sara having the honour of being a Dairy NZ Environment Leader and has also achieved Synlait Lead with Pride Elite Standard on their farm.
Cow health underpins income
A decision to go sharemilking has meant bigger bills, but it has also meant bigger pay cheques and more autonomy for a young Southland couple.
Dodging downer cows
Southlander John Riordan knows just how exhausting, time-consuming and expensive that downer cows are at the start of the season. The former sheep and beef farmer converted to dairy in 2008 when the price of lamb “was going nowhere”.
Empty rates impacted by iodine
The hunt to resolve empty rates in their high-production Southland herd, led Darrell and Julie Wendelgelst on a journey that ended with the Dairy Business Centre’s (DBC) Charlotte Flay.
