WORDS PROVIDED BY DAIRYNZ, IMAGE BY ANNIE STUDHOLME
Here comes the sun—well it’s on its way at some point in the next month or so.
The longer days and creeping warmth signal that it’s time to look ahead and plan for the summer months on farm. For some across the country, the climbing temperatures follow some extreme wet weather during spring, the impacts of which will still be felt while making summertime decisions.
In all forms of weather, good care of people and animals is always the number one priority. Careful planning and proactive management will ensure their wellbeing throughout the next season. The heat can be wonderful for mind and body, and cricket on the beach, but of course it also heralds a different way of managing your farm compared to the cooler months.
Over the past decade DairyNZ has undertaken science and research focused on developing tools and advice to help farmers with those key seasonal challenges.
We have pulled together a range of Summer Smarts tools and resources to support you and your farm business over the next few months.
Reducing heat stress
Cows can start to feel heat stress at temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, which many of us humans would find quite comfortable, rather than excessively hot.
But with the heat affecting cows within such a common summer temperature range, every region in New Zealand gets hot enough to cause heat stress over summer. Heat stress occurs when cows can’t get rid of excess heat, leading to discomfort and reducing milk production.
You will notice your cows breathe faster, graze less, drink more, and move slower in warm weather.
You can work with your farm team to ensure they recognise the signs and take action to prevent heat stress, including:
• Providing shade
• Ensuring a good water supply for drinking and cooling
• Adjusting milking times and routine
• Managing what you feed your cows and when
Adjust nitrogen use in summer
The heat in summer isn’t just affecting your people and animals. A dry summer will also affect the work of nitrogen-based fertilisers.
As lower soil moisture and increasing temperatures limit grass growth, the response to nitrogen fertiliser is also reduced. Therefore, it’s important to evaluate your timing and application to get it right, helping increase efficiency and minimising nitrogen loss from your farm.
The key tip for summer nitrogen use is to remember it is a growth multiplier. Application rates and timing should coincide with paddock growth from alternative species or increased moisture levels due to soil type or paddock aspect.
Considering the best milking interval
When we say flexible milking, you may automatically think about once-a-day milking, but it refers to varied milking schedules beyond the usual once or twice a day.
Adjust milking frequency according to changing conditions. It can help extend the grazing rotation in mid-lactation, reduce stress on cows, decrease work hours and provide more flexibility for your farm team.
Previous research has shown that, depending on how flexible milking is used, it can have minimal impact on production, while providing the benefits mentioned.
Consider another milking schedule that helps achieve your milk production goals, while gaining other benefits for you, your team and your cows.
Young stock management
One of the biggest improvements in many herds comes from an increasing focus on young stock management from weaning to first calving, since well-grown heifers are known to be more successful milking cows.
Your young stock have the best genetics in your herd. Giving them the best start to their productive life will unlock their potential, having a positive effect on their future lactation and maximising your investment.
There are a range of aspects to consider but focus on meeting weight-for-age targets and create a plan to ensure they grow at the required rate to meet them. The future of your farm starts with your young stock – keeping a focus on weight gain, worm burden, and mineral requirements gives them the best chance of high performance in the future.
Learn more at www.dairynz.co.nz/summer-smarts
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