Fert use tumbles as prices spike
Fertiliser use in New Zealand over the 18 months is about 25% down from what it consistently was for the previous decade or more, says Ravensdown chief operating officer Mike Whitty.
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
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
Listed Canterbury milk processor Synlait’s shares have been placed in a trading halt.
OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.
A step-by-step guide helping farmers through the process of creating a Freshwater Farm Plan (FWFP) has been launched by FarmIQ.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…
OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…