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Dairy Reminders For March 2004 Long term pasture growth rates for March are estimated to be 15 to 18 kg DM/ha/day on dryland farms across Gippsland depending on the timing of the autumn rainfall events. By Department of Primary Industries - 10th March 2004 - Back to News The irrigated pastures of the Macalister Irrigation District are expected to be 30 to 35 kg DM/ha/day during March.
Ryegrass leaf appearance rates for mid-March in Gippsland are estimated to be 10 to 12 days depending on soil moisture and growth conditions. Grazing rotation lengths for ryegrass pastures should range between 30 to 36 days between grazing.
Well fertilised paddocks with actively growing pasture species will provide extra pasture growth during March/April following applications of 50 kg of nitrogen per hectare.
Aim to resow summer crop paddocks back to perennial pastures, for best results sow between mid March and mid April.
Ryegrass rust has been noted in some pastures, grazing these pastures is the best option to allow new fresh growth to develop.
The February rains have germinated capeweed, thistles and other broadleaf weeds, inspect paddocks that need treatment with a selective herbicide before these weeds become dominant in the pasture.
Cows
The condition score of the herd needs to be 4.5 or better in late lactation.
Warm overnight temperatures and high humidity will create the right conditions for facial eczema.
Heifers
Weigh your heifers to ensure that they are on track to reach their target joining weights.
If green feed is limited, supplement with a high energy and high protein grain or pellet mix to ensure a minimum of 0.6 kg / day live weight gain continues.
Dry dusty conditions at this time of year are favourable for pink eye in young stock, so seek advice from your local vet to keep up to date with the best information for pink eye control. Often a combination of patches and ointments are the best option.
Safety Message
New laws for working at heights apply from 31 March 2004.
If your employees do work where there is ‘any’ chance of a fall of more than 2 metres, then the ‘Falls Regulations’ apply to you!
For more information, contact WorkSafe, 1800 136 089 or visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.
It’s also worth checking out OHS Prevention of Falls regulations by visiting www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au.
A DIFFERENT WATER ISSUE
Do you know how much water your cows need to drink? Do you know if they are thirsty?
As well as using water for irrigation to grow feed, it is important to supply your cows with enough water.
Information recently received from New Zealand may help to answer the above questions.
Providing enough water to stock is essential for high milk production. A lack of water can cause milk production to drop and cows will also lose condition due to a loss of appetite.
The hourly flow rate of troughs must not be less than 70 litres/cow in 5 hours (14 litres/cow/hr). For example in a 200 cow herd, the flow rate will have to be:
200 cows drinking 14 litres/hour = 2800 litres/hour = 47 litres/minute
Are you providing enough water for your cows? To check the flow rates at your place carry out the following steps:
- Mark the current water level on the trough.
- Using a bucket, empty out a known amount of water while holding the ballcock up.
- Hold the ballcock right down and measure the time it takes for the water to reach its original mark
- Divide the amount of water emptied out (litres), by the time taken to refill (minutes) - that is your flow rate.
- If your flow rate is below the required amount for your herd, then your water system is in need of upgrading.
Access to water is also important. Troughs under fences allow only one third of the circumference on each side of the fence to be used. Boss cows can easily push heifers away in this situation. To increase your cows chances of accessing water, why not put some troughs along the race, or at the exit to the farm dairy.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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