Maintaining milk flows to pay the bills

Typically, during the warmer months low soil moisture levels and resulting issues with supply and quality of pasture can be a hurdle. Combined with the lack of advance payments from Fonterra, maintaining milk flows to cover costs, while building cow condition becomes a demanding yet rewarding exercise in animal management and nutrition.

Farm inputs can seem costly, but they’re an investment in your herd’s productivity. With a targeted and informed approach, the right management and inputs can support cashflows while setting up your herd for next year.

Stock Management Priorities

Sustain milk flows and protect SCC levels

Maintain cow condition to maximise days in milk - ensure optimal calving condition for next season.

Support growth rates of young stock with consistent feed quality and supply

A balanced diet is essential to keep cows milking well, prevent rising somatic cell counts, and maintain milk quality. Keeping cows in good condition allows for extended milking without over-relying on the dry period, which, if rushed, can lead to metabolic issues.

Days in milk are a major driver of profitability, so addressing cow condition early ensures they are prepared to milk late into the season.

This is also a critical time for next year’s heifers and younger stock, as they face similar nutritional and environmental challenges. By applying the same strategies below, growth rates can be maintained during this period, supporting their first-lactation production potential. A little extra care now can make a significant difference.

Feeding strategies to fill the gap

Manage feed supply - summer dry and heat affect grass quantity and quality

Use supplements and crops to complement pasture and address limitations – protein, fibre, energy, dry matter, minerals

Summer pasture is higher in neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and typically lacking in metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP). Depending on location and infrastructure, declining pasture quality can be managed with topping, irrigation and fertiliser. However, many farmers rely on summer safe cropping and feeding supplements - both home-grown and imported - to bridge the gap between cow requirements and what pasture provides.

When introducing feeds to a dairy cow diet it’s important to understand the nutritional composition of each, and make sure the cow is having its energy, protein and fibre needs met.

Higher NDF pasture is less palatable, harder for the cow to eat, and takes up more room in the rumen than lush feeds. This can limit dry matter intakes and, subsequently, ME and CP supply.

Milk production demands significant energy and protein, but excess energy is needed to lay down fat stores. To support production and build condition, focus on maintaining dry matter intake. Summer crops, silage, and concentrates can supply the energy and dry matter cows need when pasture falls short.

Summer crops like chicory and turnips are great for balancing protein shortfalls in pasture and keeping your milk curve on track. If you’re using concentrates, you can fine-tune the mix in the shed or feed pad to target specific nutritional gaps, helping your herd stay healthy and perform at their best.

Simon Butler

Managing Environmental Challenges

Mitigate heat stress, which can affect intakes and diet quality

Prevent Mycotoxin risks – humidity and heat can affect intakes and feed palatability and quality

Stay vigilant for Facial Eczema

As if changing pasture composition and challenging weather conditions weren’t enough, our animals have heat stress and toxin loading issues to deal with too.

Heat stress can have a big impact on cow performance, starting at surprisingly low temperatures and compounded by the heat generated from fibre fermentation in the rumen. Stressed cows tend to avoid fibrous feeds, opting for lush grass, crops, or meal if it’s available. Less fibre means less rumination and saliva, which raises the risk of Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA). If left unchecked, this can impair rumen function, reduce feed efficiency, and even lead to Acute Acidosis, which can be fatal.

Preventing heat stress is crucial. Bringing cows inside during the hottest part of the day, shifting milking times to avoid peak heat, and using shady paddocks can make a big difference. Feed additives like ionophores and yeasts can also help by lowering rumen heat production and supporting fibre intake.

Warm, humid weather and poorly managed feed create perfect conditions for mould and fungus, leading to mycotoxins in the diet. These toxins can reduce feed intake, impact milk quality, and cause issues like Facial Eczema. Good pasture management reduces spore exposure, while zinc supplementation and mycotoxin binders help protect the herd.

Both heat stress and mycotoxins put unnecessary strain on your cows, cutting into milk production and making it harder to build condition. Taking a proactive approach is key to keeping your herd healthy and productive.

Simon Butler is a Nutrition Extension Specialist for SealesWinslow

*This article first appeared in Getting the Basics Right 2025 edition.