B+LNZ Forecasts Lower Prices, But Still a Strong Season
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
B+LNZ’s environment project lead, Tom Orchiston, says with El Niño weather conditions forecast, farmers will be keen to make the most of early spring soil moisture to get crops established, but it is important that they plan carefully to mitigate any risks associated with the practice.
“A winter grazing plan is a valuable tool to help underpin management decisions around the establishment, growing and feeding of winter forage crops,” says Orchiston.
Factors that should be taken into consideration before planting crops include soil type, slope, location of waterways and critical source areas, access to shelter and stand-off areas, and placement of water troughs and supplementary feed.
Cultivation practices should also be considered that mitigate sediment loss, with low-tillage options being suitable in many situations.
He says it has been encouraging to see such significant improvements in the management of intensively grazed winter forage crops in recent years and knowing how important these crops are for many farmers, means care needs to be taken to protect soil, water and nutrient resources while ensuring animals remain well-fed and cared for over winter.
“There are a lot of factors to consider, but done well, forage crops are a valuable part of farming systems, particularly in the south, as they provide high-quality feed at a time of year when grass-growth is at a stand-still.”
Orchiston encourages farmers who send or receive stock from other farms for winter grazing, to have appropriate contracts in place that cover expectations and responsibilities around animal health, environmental considerations and plans for adverse weather events.
He also suggests farmers look back on the past winter grazing season to review their practices.
“Think about what went well and any management tweaks that could be implemented for next winter. To get the best results, it is good to start planning early for your next winter grazing season.”
He says there is a wealth of information for farmers on winter forage crops from establishment to post-grazing management on B+LNZ’s website. There is also plenty of information available on DairyNZ’s website and on regional council websites.
