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Dairy Reminders For April

Long term pasture growth rates for April are 15 - 25kg DM/ha/day on dryland farms across Gippsland following the autumn rainfall.

By news@gippsland - 20th April 2006 - Back to News

The irrigated pastures of the MID are also expected to be 15 - 25kg DM/ha/day during April.

Ryegrass leaf appearance rates are estimated to be 12 - 14 days depending on soil moisture and growth conditions, therefore pasture rotations should be around 35 - 40 days to allow ryegrass to reach the 3 leaf stage.

Following good autumn rainfall, it is important to allow pastures to grow to the 3 leaf stage before grazing. This generates greater leaf area for photosynthesis and increases pasture growth rate. If pastures begin to develop rust then graze earlier to encourage new fresh growth.

If possible maintain the current cows’ diet by feeding off the remaining summer crop and supplementary feeding the herd until the new pastures have reached the 3 leaf stage. This may mean providing the herd with a small portion of their diet in pasture and the remainder as fodder crop silage, hay, pellets or grain until a 35 - 40 day pasture rotation can be achieved.

Nitrogen fertilisers have risen in price this year, but will still be economic on actively growing ryegrass pastures which have adequate soil moisture and good phosphorus levels of 14 Olsen P or greater.

Establishing and managing new pastures

Mid April, following the recent rain, is ideal for the sowing of new pastures. Try to get pasture seed in the soil before the end of the month.

If you have had concerns with ryegrass staggers then select one of the new ryegrass varieties with the AR1 endophyte which has less effect on cattle.

Grazing with young stock can be undertaken once the new pasture will not pull out of the ground when pulled up by hand, for example the leaves tear off rather than the roots pull out of the ground.

Ideally the ryegrass seedlings should have three emerged leaves prior to the first grazing and ensure the stock do not over graze.

Get prepared to spray capeweed and other broad leaf weeds in new pastures once the weeds are about 3 - 5 cm in diameter. Remember you must read the herbicide label and follow the instructions for the stage of growth to avoid damage to desirable plants.

Irrigation

Ensure drains are clean for the winter, as wet paddocks due to poor drainage slow pasture growth rates and encourages undesirable species.

Most herbicides work better when applied to actively growing weeds; therefore spray weeds in drains while still growing before the onset of winter.

Heifers

Attach NLIS tags to your heifers at a young age so you can begin recording the animals’ history and ensure lifetime traceability.

If you are planning to sell heifers for export, contact your agent to discuss the new export requirements.

Your local herd improvement co-op is a useful contact if you need heifer pedigrees confirmed or advice of how to best record and store heifer information.

Environment

The introduction of a one-stop phone line for all 1080 bait-related requests and inquiries was launched at the start of the year. By dialling 1300 10 1080 between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm Monday to Friday, landholders can request information about 1080 and make an appointment for the purchase of 1080 baits.

Plan ahead for your next fox control program and encourage you farming neighbours or Landcare group to undertake a group fox baiting program.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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