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Dairy Reminders For Feburary 2005

By Department of Primary Industries - 17th February 2005 - Back to News

Pastures
Long term perennial ryegrass pasture growth rates for February in South and West Gippsland range from 8 - 12kg DM/ha/day.
Irrigated pastures of the MID would be estimated to be growing at a faster rate of 30 - 35kg DM/ha/day.
Ryegrass leaf appearance rates for mid February will be restricted by the hot dry conditions but is estimated to be between 12 - 15 days for each ryegrass leaf to emerge and extend to its full leaf length. Excessive daytime temperatures will suppress rye grass growth rates in addition to the obvious lack of moisture.
Rotation lengths should be in the range of 40 - 45 days depending on rainfall events. Rotations on irrigated pastures will be at the lower interval of 35 - 40 days.
Summer rainfall will increase the clover content of pastures due to the clover plants preference for warmer soil temperatures.

Cows
Did you have foot lameness in the herd last winter? Summer is a good time of the year to repair and maintain farm laneways. Employing the services of a road grading contractor to reform and grade the tracks then add more surface material before the final grade will be a good investment and be easier on the cows legs and feet.
Water misters, fans, bait, traps or repellents all help to reduce flies in the dairy.
Balance the energy, protein and fibre in the milking herd’s diet.

Irrigation
Fast flood irrigations use less water than long slow water flows, so clean out channels and drains to speed up the flow rate to the paddock.
If you have a high flood irrigation water use paddock, then consider changing it over to spray irrigation and save water in the long term.
Well managed and adequately irrigated pastures will respond to applications of nitrogen fertiliser.

Young stock
Rye grass staggers occur in late summer in stock grazing the new shoots of rye grass pastures. Avoid stressing the affected animals and supplement with hay or grain to reduce the amount of young rye grass eaten in the diet. Treat pink eye early for best results. Fence out the gullies on the turn out block and reduce the loss and injury to young stock grazing gully and erosion areas.

Environment
Control weeds in the shelter belts and tree plantations while they are small and reduce the workload for future years.

GIPPSLAND NEEDS TO TACKLE FOX PROBLEM

As part of the Victorian Fox on the Run campaign, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is encouraging all Gippsland landholders to participate now in its Autumn fox baiting program,

At this time of year young foxes are out with adult foxes looking for food, and can attack animals ranging from native wildlife through to lambs, calves and other agricultural livestock.

"A large-scale and coordinated fox control program can be the most cost effective means of reducing fox populations across Gippsland," said DPI’s Gippsland Fox Coordinator, Mr Ian Brown.

"If everyone does their bit by baiting in groups or having a qualified contractor carry out the work, we will gain more ground," he added.

The Fox on the Run program uses manufactured baits that contain the poison Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080).

These baits are only available through the DPI and all applicants must hold a chemical users permit.

Landholders can contact their local DPI Office and receive further advice on fox control from their local Catchment Management Officer.

HEYFIELD FIELD DAYS

The Maffra Department of Primary Industries site at the Heyfield Lions Club Field Days on 25 and 26 February will be offering a range of activities and information for farmers, landholders, and the general public.

Current information on the NLIS electronic tagging requirements will be available with live calves displaying correctly attached NLIS and Bobby Calf ear tags. Animal Health Officers will be on hand to answer any queries regarding the tagging system.

Landcare invites landholders to discuss "farm makeovers" by fencing waterways, planting trees, controlling erosion and removing weeds and rabbits. The Landcare display will bring to life some of the options that farmers have for managing waterways on their properties, including information on the financial incentives available to assist with tree planting and fencing.

The Macalister and East Gippsland Target 10 Committee will be running a pasture assessment competition with a range of pastures at various growth stages on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to enter the competition by ranking the samples based on which pasture is at its optimum for grazing, with a prize for the winner. The Maffra Dairy Extension Officers will be in attendance to discuss the 2005 programs and activities and to assist with any queries.

For farmers considering retirement or a change of lifestyle, Gippsland Rural Financial Counsellors will be on hand to discuss Succession, Retirement, Employment, Diversity and/or Selling the Farm. They will also have information on the upcoming Farmers Choosing Change Expo.

DPI Irrigation and Dairy extension officers are offering short information sessions on both days and will cover topics such as Is my water too salty to use? Feeding out silage, Insights into farm irrigation reuse systems and Maximising pasture quality – cations and cows.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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