Forage
Silage Inoculants – Investment or Expense?
There is a tendency to undervalue silages, both in terms of feed value and the true costs of growing and ensiling them. Consequently, many farmers do not pay enough attention to making and using them for maximum benefit. The cost of land has to be included when calculating growing costs. If debt free, then opportunity [...]
Feeding Fodder Beet
Fodder beet is becoming a major wintering crop for dairy cows, particularly in southern regions of the country. This seems to have been driven by the potentially high yields achievable (20-30 t DM/ha) and its high energy content (bulbs 12 -13 MJ/kg DM; leaves 10-11 MJ/kg DM). However, some farmers have had issues when grazing [...]
Facial Eczema risk peaks between March and April despite cooler nights
Data collected by Assure Quality since 2005 highlights a marked elevation in spore counts during March and April, even though air temperatures start to decline. Although cooler nights have traditionally signalled the end of zinc dosing for many farmers, what these graphs (below) show us is that there is still a significant risk of disease [...]
Nutritional strategies to help maintain production and body condition in late lactation
Although we’re aware of the importance good management over the next three to four months has on next season’s production, working out the optimal time to dry off can be far more challenging. This month’s article discusses some practical considerations to consider when deciding on when to dry off. Assessing condition scores (CS) of your [...]
