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Getting Organised

By Department of Primary Industries - 18th March 2005 - Back to News

Feel like you could be better organised with your fertiliser and effluent management? The DPI nutrient extension team can help. Currently the team has the capacity to do one-on-one visits to help develop individualised nutrient, effluent and soil management plans.

Growing grass is very important on Gippsland dairy farms, an important part of which is the soil nutrients. Getting soil nutrients right can have financial rewards by increasing production and by building an asset that can be utilised in the future. However, improving soil nutrients by applying fertiliser can be very expensive and can have a negative impact on the environment. This is where the nutrient extension team can help. They can help you develop a nutrient management and effluent management plan that will organise your whole farm nutrient management. This in turn can streamline the costs and help reduce off farm environmental impacts.

A nutrient management plan includes a map of your farm broken into management areas. For example paddocks that are always cut for hay or silage would be one area. A section of the farm that has a different soil type to the rest of the farm would be another management area. The nutrient management plan includes calculations of fertiliser requirements for each of the identified management areas and a recording system for fertiliser application and soil test results. In many cases money can be saved by identifying areas that need less fertiliser than other areas.

If you are interested in organising your fertiliser requirements and doing it in a way that will assist with production, improve the capital value of your land and protect the environment contact the nutrient extension team at DPI Ellinbank and Maffra.

The Gippsland Nutrient Extension Team is delivering a number of projects funded by the Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Actions Plan and Natural Heritage Trust through the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority – Regional Catchment Investment Plan across West & South Gippsland.

For further information contact Annette Coster, Barrie Bradshaw, or Will Toll at DPI Ellinbank on 5624 2222, or Ashleigh Michael at DPI Maffra on 5147 0800.

DAIRY REMINDERS FOR MARCH 2005

Pastures

Good rainfall in most areas of Gippsland during February has set the season up for a decent autumn. Yes there will be some hot weather to come, but the sub surface moisture and the established pastures will respond to any rainfall from mid March onwards. Even 25 mm this season would constitute an autumn break.

Pasture plants will be more advanced, with ryegrass having two or more leaves to enable increased photosynthesis, therefore higher than average growth rates can be expected. Long term pasture growth rates for March are estimated to be 15-18kg DM/ha/day on dryland farms across Gippsland but this season should exceed 25-30kg DM/ha /day on fertile well managed dairy pastures. The irrigated pastures of the Macalister Irrigation District are expected to be 30-35kg DM/ha/day during March.

Ryegrass leaf appearance rates for mid-March are estimated to be 10-12 days.

Grazing rotation lengths for ryegrass pastures should range between 30-36 days.

Early autumn growth from actively growing pasture species will have utilised available nitrogen in the soil therefore good growth response will occur with applications of 50kg of nitrogen per hectare.

Ryegrass rust affected pastures need to be grazed to allow fresh growth to return.

Cows
The recent summer rainfall, warm overnight temperatures and high humidity in autumn may create the right conditions for facial eczema. Herd managers need to be watchful for any signs of sunburn in their cattle that could be linked to facial eczema. Avoid grazing pastures that have high levels of pasture litter (hay or recently topped paddocks) or grazing lower than 5cm as this increases the risk of picking up the toxic spores.

If these conditions occur, herd managers need to monitor facial eczema ‘spore counts’ on their farms and familiarise themselves with facial eczema control procedures. Contact DPI Animal Health staff for more details.

If the herd will be consuming higher levels of turnip and other fodder crops this year, ensure access to a fibre source such as silage or good quality hay. Be aware for the potential for nitrate or cyanide poisoning associated with the consumption of fodder crops. Seek advice on minimising the risk of poisoning and watch stock closely on introduction to the crop.

Ryegrass staggers will be more prevalent with increased ryegrass available this year. Supplement young calves and yearlings with good quality hay to dilute the amount of endophyte they are consuming on a daily basis. If stock is affected, avoid unnecessary stress and herding. Allow stock to move at their own pace to a flat paddock away from dams, gullies and obstacles as most fatalities happen by staggering stock falling into a hazard.

Heifers
Pregnancy test and sell empty heifers.
Monitor growth rates and compare with heifer live weights for this time of year.
Watch out for signs of ‘pink eye’ and treat quickly.

Establishing new pastures
March is an ideal time for the sowing of new pastures into well-prepared seedbeds. Rolling after sowing ensures pasture seeds have firm contact with soil particles thus speeding up water uptake, germination and reducing seed mortality.
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. Read and follow the label instructions and safety advice on herbicide containers.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com