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Ag NewsDairy Reminders For March By Department of Primary Industries - 19th March 2009 - Back to News Pastures and Forages
- Ryegrass leaf appearance rate - 12-20 days per leaf (depending on soil moisture on dryland farms). 10-12 days per leaf for irrigated pasture.
- Estimated grazing rotation length - 30 to 36 days between each grazing for irrigation area. 40 – 60 days for dryland.
- Area of farm to graze today – one thirtieth to one thirty-sixth of grazing area in 24 hours for irrigation area. One-fortieth to one-sixtieth for dryland areas.
- Recommended pre-grazing decisions - graze ryegrass at, or near, three leaf stage (Note: graze to dominant species).
- Recommended post grazing decision - graze down to 4-6 cm residual pasture after grazing. This will ensure a stronger ryegrass plant in the autumn, less soil erosion and less space for weed germination.
- Seasonal management tasks - spray broadleaf weeds three to six weeks after the autumn break. Sow new pastures if needed.
- Estimated soil temperature - 16 - 18 degrees Celsius.
- Estimated daily evaporation - 6 to 8 mm per day without rainfall (hot days).
- Average daily pasture growth rate - 5 to 18 kg DM/Ha/day (South and West Gippsland, but highly variable depending on moisture). Those with irrigated rye grass pastures can expect an estimated 30 – 35 kg DM/Ha/day.
Soil testing for autumn fertiliser applications
- To make the most out of your autumn fertiliser applications or to identify where savings can be made, it is recommended that you soil test to get a better understanding of your soil fertility and fertiliser requirements.
Establishing pastures or crops
- March is an ideal time for the sowing of new pastures into well prepared seed beds. Sow seeds on the surface and roll to retain seed bed moisture.
- Rolling after sowing ensures pasture seeds have firm contact with soil particles, thus speeding up water uptake, germination and reducing seed mortality.
Cows
- 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 of the potential for nitrate or cyanide poisoning associated with the consumption of sorghum type 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 at this time of the year. Supplement young calves and yearlings with good quality hay to dilute the amount of endophyte they are consuming on a daily basis.
- If ryegrass staggers affects your stock, then avoid unnecessary stress and herding. Allow stock to move at their own pace to a flat paddock away from dams, gullies and obstacles to prevent accidents.
- Be on the lookout for facial eczema - a type of sunburn (photosensitisation) affecting exposed areas of pale skin of sheep and cattle. If facial eczema is suspected, a veterinary practitioner should be called. Affected animals should be sheltered from direct sunlight if possible.
- With the current milk price, is it cost effective to carry empty cows until the end of the season? Can empty heifers be carried even on run-off blocks that may be better used for calves and pregnant stock? Individual farmers need to look at the short and medium term economics of carrying empty cows and heifers.
- Check with your vet about possible secondary effects of the fires or heat stress on pregnant cows.
Calves and young stock
- Check your calves and heifers twice a week for signs of pink eye. Early treatment and the use of eye patches will increase the likelihood of a full recovery of the eye.
Water Issues
- Clean out drains which run water into dams. Try to construct a flat bottomed drain which is less conducive to erosion and will aid in reducing sediment flowing into the drain.
Forward Planning for April
- Tasks for April include track maintenance and cleaning out the dairy effluent ponds.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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