Future Farm Systems Trial Update 18 April 2024
This project compares the productivity, profitability and impact on people and the environment on three farms, being:
- Current Farm – Kikuyu & ryegrass based pastures with up to 190 kg N/ha/annum, 3.1 cows/ha
- Alternative Pastures Farm – Fescue & cocksfoot based pastures, up to 190 kg N/ha, 3.1 cows/ha
- Low Emissions Farm – Kikuyu & ryegrass based pastures, designed to reduce methane emissions by 25% and nitrous oxide by 50%, no nitrogen applied, 2.3 cows/ha
This project is funded by DairyNZ, MPI (Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures) and Hine Rangi Trust.
| Update 18th April 2024 | Current Farm | Alternative Pastures Farm | Low Emissions Farm |
| Avg Pasture Cover (excl silage pdks, kg DM/ha) | 2071 | 2171 | 2092 |
| Pasture Growth (kg DM/ha/d, last 2 weeks) * | 38 | 40 | 36 |
| Rotation Length (days) | 37 | 32 | 40 |
| Cows in Milk/Peak Cows | 68/81 | 72/82 | 56/61 |
| Production/cow/day (kg MS) | 0.91 | 0.87 | 0.96 |
| Production/ha/day (kg MS) | 2.26 | 2.25 | 1.96 |
| Production/cow season to date (kg MS/cow) | 354 | 379 | 340 |
| Production/ha season to date (kg MS/ha) | 1,070 | 1,143 | 757 |
| SCC (‘000) | 76 | 76 | 106 |
| Supplement Offered (kg DM/cow/day) | PKE 2.7
Baleage 0 |
.PKE 2.7
Baleage 0 |
PKE 2.7 |
| Purchased Supplement Fed to date
(kg DM/cow) |
PKE 759 | PKE 689 | PKE 353
Baleage 70 |
| Homegrown Silage Fed to date (kg DM/cow) | 160 | 213 | 567 |
| Homegrown Silage on hand (kg DM/cow) | 55 | 56 | 110 |
| Average Body Condition Score (Milkers) | 3.90 | 3.90 | 3.87 |
| Manager Worry Score (1 = Low, 10 = High) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Nitrogen to date – 2023/24 Season (kg N/ha) | 188 | 181 | 0 |
| Rainfall (last two weeks) | 66 mm | ||
*Pasture growth rates are calculated using uncalibrated platemeter readings
CURRENT MANAGEMENT
- Good rain has boosted pasture growth, unfortunately a bit late for this season’s production but will allow us to set up well for next season
- All herds have lost weight during the last fortnight and are now on OAD milking to halt weight loss. We expect pasture intakes to rise now and will keep feeding the maximum PKE that FEI allows.
- We are expecting to dry cows off in early May and focus on building BCS during May and June
- Kikuyu mulching and undersowing is 60% done so far and Italian ryegrass is up and away
- Fescue paddocks are slowly establishing and all paddocks have been cricket and slug baited
- Blood tests will dictate mineral treatments in the next month, zinc continues for now as spores are high at present
- New feed pad construction is progressing well