Thursday, 22 February 2024 12:55

Nutrition beats the heat, lifts milk yield

Written by  Staff Reporters
Paul Drew, SealesWinslow Paul Drew, SealesWinslow

As scorching summer temperatures persist, what dairy farmers feed their cows can help beat the heat and protect milk production.

Last year was already one of New Zealand’s hottest years on record. NIWA’s latest outlook says the El Niño weather pattern, which has brought temperatures in their high thirties and marine heat waves across New Zealand, will continue until at least March.

SealesWinslow nutrition and quality manager Paul Drew says dairy farmers traditionally deal with a decline in pasture quality during the summer and understand the importance of keeping their herds cool, both for animal health and milk production. However, this season is proving extra tough with temperatures 1-2 degrees higher than usual.

“New Zealand dairy farmers are pretty used to the summer dry and managing heat stress in their herds, but this El Niño weather pattern is proving an added challenge,” says Paul.

“Most farmers take steps to minimise the effects of the heat by milking later in the afternoon, giving cows good access to water and shade, limiting the distance they walk to the dairy shed and using sprinklers in their yards. But getting cows’ nutrition right can also help.”

Pasture takes a natural decline in summer and its fibre levels increase meaning cows have to chew it more and they eat less. Weight gain and production can take a hit. Paul says there are some simple cost-effective things farmers can do to help their herds beat the heat and maintain production.

Putting cows on faster grazing rounds, topping paddocks, and using fertiliser can address the effects of pasture change. Highenergy supplements and molasses can also help compensate for reduced dry matter intake during periods of hot weather.

“Levucell, a live yeast that improves the rumen environment of cows, can also alleviate heat stress, improving feed use and maintaining milk production,” says Paul.

Cows use two strategies to offset the effect of heat, explains Paul. They increase the amount of panting and drooling, which helps to disperse heat from their bodies, and they reduce activities that generate heat, notably feeding and rumination.

“Along with the usual heat management strategies, providing cows with energy-dense feed that is easily digestible, a rumen modifier to fire up the rumen, and offering free access to salt will all help maintain a herd’s feed intake, keeping them cooler and keeping milk in the vat,” says Paul.

Predicting your herd’s response to feed to help you make the best choice can be tough.

SealesWinslow has recently launched a free decision-making tool called Ruminix³. It helps calculate the return on investment for different feed combinations, based on a farm’s unique system, so farmers can choose the best feed options for their budget and their herds.

Using the tool, SealesWinslow says it has demonstrated farmers could generate up to 30% more income simply by using the right supplementary feed.

As the hot weather continues to bite, Paul says farmers need all the help they can get to make the right decisions.

“Hot and humid weather can make life uncomfortable for dairy cows but managing their diet efficiently can certainly minimise any health issues and keep milk in the vat for longer,” says Paul.

More like this

Protecting native birds from avian influenza

With the global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) making headlines around the world, the Department of Conservation (DoC) is taking steps to secure the safety of several endangered bird species that call New Zealand home.

Bluetongue on the march

While unrecorded in New Zealand, Bluetongue, an acute viral disease in ruminants, is endemic in tropical and sub-tropical climates.

Cultivating successful cow families

Michael and Cherie Berkers’ Holstein Friesian herd exemplifies how breeders can consistently develop successful cow families by seizing opportunities for improvement year after year.

Featured

State farmer opens pathway to ownership for more Kiwis

In a landmark move, the state-owned farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) is making four of its 44 dairy farms available for people wishing to take up various contracts including herd-owning, share milking, variable order share milking and contract milking.

Coming to a beach near you!

The popular Surfing for Farmers programme, which gives farmers a well-earned break from life on the farm, starts its eighth season from November 5.

MilkHub sold

Milk vat manufacturer DTS is selling its dairy automation business to MilktechNZ.

National

DairyNZ levy to increase?

Retiring chair Jim van der Poel has used his final AGM to announce the intention to increase the DairyNZ farmer…

Former Fonterra CEO dies

Former Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings passed away in the Netherlands over the weekend.

Graduate brings passion for farming

Rhys Dawson will join Perrin Ag in 2025 as the firm’s newest graduate recruit, bringing a passion for inter-generational agribusiness…

Machinery & Products

Data connection made easier

New Holland and Case IH are introducing new advancements in their precision technology stack to make farming easier and more…

A formidable duo for tillage

The new Lemken Solitair MR series mounted drills, available in three or four metre working widths, features a 1500-litre tank, which…

When compaction is a good thing

Good silage starts by cutting the crop at the correct growth stage, followed by reducing moisture content, chopping to a consistent…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Feed from farmers

OPINION: The country's dairy farmers will now also have a hand in providing free lunch for schools.

Brighter future

OPINION: The abrupt departure of Synlait chief executive Grant Watson could be a sign that Chinese company Bright Dairy, the…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter