Data sharing initiative wins national award for saving farmers time
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
Lamb daily growth rates on sheep farms in New Zealand are in a huge range — from as low as 80g to 350g or more per lamb per day.
Getting to the top of this range requires attention to detail.
Ewe condition score and milking ability, pasture quality and quantity, weather, trace elements and genetics are just some of the variables farmers need to manage. If just one of these ingredients is missing, or is in short supply, lambs will struggle to reach target weights.
Trace elements, although only required in small amounts, are a key part of this big picture. Adequate dietary levels are essential for healthy lamb growth and production. Selenium and cobalt (used to make Vitamin B12) are of particular importance in NZ farming systems.
Providing the ewe’s selenium and B12 levels are adequate, her suckling lambs should receive enough of these minerals through to weaning. If the ewe mineral levels are not adequate, then extra supplementation may be necessary to ensure good lamb growth rates.
The trick is to know if you need extra supplementation and whether to give this to the ewe or the lamb. If targeting the ewe, then a pre-lamb mineral boost is ideal. If targeting the lamb, then docking/tailing is the first ideal opportunity.
Test before supplementing
Herbage samples in the spring, when the grass is actively growing, can give you an idea as to whether the pasture will supply adequate amounts of key minerals.
Herbage trace element information should be supported with liver or blood samples, to confirm actual levels for animals and the level for supplementation required.
All stock have different needs for each trace element. However, an animal health professional can help you decide where there may be shortfalls and interpret the results.
There are different options available for boosting animal trace elements, including mineral amended fertilisers, mineralised drenches, injections, pour-ons, etc.
Your regional animal health technical advisor can advise you on mineral requirements for stock this spring.
Ideal selenium and B12 levels for lambs
|
Herbage (mg/kg DM) |
Liver (nmol/kg) |
Serum Blood (nmol/L) |
Selenium |
>0.03 |
>440 |
>100 |
Cobalt |
>0.11 |
– |
– |
Vitamin B12 |
– >375 |
>500 |
|
• Julie Roberts is Ravensdown animal health area manager
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…