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Keeping Milk Protein Levels

Milk protein content can be maintained by ensuring dairy cows consume a diet that meets their energy requirements

By Department of Primary Industries - 26th November 2003 - Back to News

Joe Jacobs, Dairy Research Leader for South West Victoria says that, often, over the next few weeks dairy farmers start to notice a drop in their protein test and consequently their constituent payments. The main reason for this is that cows are not receiving adequate energy in the diet offered to them. As pasture quality and quantity both start to decline, dry matter intake decreases and consequently so does energy intake. Associated with the drop in protein content of the milk there may also be some live weight loss, as the cow draws on the energy from her body reserves.

There are a number of ways to overcome this problem. Firstly, look at the diet offered and consider the quality and quantity being fed. The options to increase energy intake can include feeding more grain or start using some of the high quality silage made this year. Clearly, before feeding your silage it is important to have a feedtest undertaken to determine which of your silage is the higher quality. Alternately, early sown fodder crops may be an option. Fodder crops are high in energy and as they reach maturity they can also be used. Obviously it is still important to make sure that the diet contains adequate protein and fibre for the desired level of production.

COMMON SCAB OF POTATOES

VegCheque invites all potato growers to a Common Scab workshop at DPI Knoxfield, on 8 December at 621 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield.

The workshop is from 9.00am to 2.00pm with morning tea and lunch provided. Cost of the workshop is $20.

There will be a host of international and local experts including:

• Rosemary Loria (Cornell University, USA)
• Vaclav Krištůfek (Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic)
• N. Mizuno & H. Yoshida (Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan)
• Johan Kers (Cornell University, USA)
• Robert Tegg (TIAR)
• Tony Pitt (Ag-Challenge)
• Dolf deBoer & Nigel Crump (DPI, Vic)
• Mark Heap (Simplot)

This workshop gives potato growers the opportunity to hear and discuss the latest overseas research and ideas on control of this difficult problem.

The seminar is supported by funding from Horticulture Australia and the Potato Industry levy.

Please RSVP to Karen Green at DPI Knoxfield on 9210 9229 by Thursday 4 December.

CLEAN UP WASTE POTATOES

Clean up dumps or piles of waste potatoes now before they cause later problems for clean crops.

Dumps or cull potatoes left unattended around the farm or shed can harbour virus carrying aphids, potato grub and diseases such as late and early blight or even bacterial wilt.

Cull piles of potatoes can be destroyed by burying or covering with black plastic for a short period of time. If you use black plastic, remember to seal the edges to retain the heat in the pile.

WULGULMERANG SOIL SAMPLING FIELD DAYS

Landholders in the Wulgulmerang district recently attended two soil-sampling field days.

The first information day provided participants with the knowledge and tools on how to take a representative soil sample. It was explained that soil testing is an underutilized tool and that only 50% of farmers use them to determine the application of fertiliser for the following year.

Soil samples were then collected from 12 properties and sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis.

The second field day enabled the landholders to gain information on how to interpret their soil test results. The amount and type of fertiliser required to reach nutrient levels that are optimum for pasture growth was also explained.

The field days were well received by the Wulgulmerang farming community. One landholder commented that the soil test results gave a good perspective of where your soils are and more confidence when applying fertilisers.

Similar field days are being planned for the Tubbut district with the first day planned for Wednesday 3^rd December 2003. It will commence at 1.30pm on Peter Williams property, ‘Blackwood’, Tubbut Road, Bonang.

For more information contact Penny Gray, Landcare Coordinator at Bombala, on

02 6458 4003 or Carmel Henderson, DPI Calvert Street Bairnsdale on 5152 0628.

BEWARE THUNDERSTORMS WHEN SPREADING FERTILISER

The recent thunderstorms through Gippsland emphasise the need to take care when ordering and spreading phosphorus fertilisers over the spring and summer months. This is because an intense thunderstorm can cause a considerable amount of surface run-off, particularly from irrigated land, which may already be moist from a recent watering.

Surface run-off has the potential to carry large quantities of recently applied fertiliser into drains, dams and local waterways. It is possible for hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of fertiliser to be lost from a farm in a single thunderstorm.

Fertiliser granules need to sit on the soil surface for four to seven days to allow the phosphorus to be leached into the soil by and air moisture. Until this happens, there is potential for large losses with rainfall or irrigation run-off. Research has indicated that irrigation or rainfall is not required to wash fertilisers into the soil; it is more likely to wash it off the farm into waterways when run-off occurs.

Whilst accurately predicting thunderstorms is often difficult, keeping an eye on the four day forecast will certainly assist in making the decision to proceed with fertiliser spreading or not.

Fertiliser suppliers and spreaders are now very aware of their responsibilities to both their clients and the environment, and should also be able to advise farmers whether it is wise to proceed with an application or not.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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