Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
Dairy farmers should take particular care when planning to transport cows in their third trimester of pregnancy, says DairyNZ's Dr Nita Harding.
DairyNZ's development team leader for animal husbandry, Harding says at this time of year, many farmers are transporting cows with well advanced pregnancies.
"There are several things farmers should be aware of to make sure their pregnant cows arrive at their destination in the best possible condition."
The key issue is to always make sure any cows to be transported have a body condition score of three or higher before transport.
"In late pregnancy even cows that are in good condition are considerably more susceptible to the stress of transport and need to be treated with patience and care if they are being transported to another location," says Nita. "Journeys should be as short as possible."
She says that careful planning is required before pregnant cows are transported.
"Other than the duration of the journey, farmers should also consider their feed transition plan and ensure the cows receive an adequate supplement of magnesium before and after the journey."
Twelve to 20grams/day of magnesium supplement should also be provided to pregnant cows for at least three days before and three days following the journey.
All cows switching from one feed type to another require a feed transition plan to give their digestive system time to adjust to the new feed, maintain their condition, and minimise any nutritional problems. Remember to consider a transition plan for coming home from winter grazing, as well as a plan for going to winter grazing.
New feed should be introduced into the diet over seven to 10 days before the journey, by gradually increasing the amount of the new feed or supplement made available. If this cannot be done before transport, ensure there is pasture at the other end to transition cows from.
An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.
Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
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