increase font size
Photo: B+LNZ.
Animal welfare is a central focus of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) new winter grazing campaign.
When done correctly, winter grazing is an effective way to keep animals fed and healthy over winter in a pastoral-based farming system when grass growth is low or non-existent.
Farmers are being encouraged by B+LNZ to take a proactive approach to preserving their soil and water resources over winter while ensuring animal welfare standards are maintained.
B+LNZ general manager North Island Matt Ward says simple practices such as grazing from the top of a slope, keeping the break long and narrow, back-fencing and using bale rings and portable water troughs can all make a significant difference to preventing pugging and nutrient run-off.
Building on the last year’s recommendations from the Ministry for Primary Industries-led Winter Grazing Task Force report, he says this year’s campaign has a particular focus on animal welfare.
“It is important stock are provided with loafing areas when they are on winter feed crops. This might mean a run-off block or stand-off pad or even a headland with straw provided as bedding.”
Farmers are urged to have contingency plans in case of prolonged bad weather or extreme weather events, so stock are not trampling sodden soils or feed crops.
The campaign is part of ongoing work by B+LNZ and other organisations to inform and encourage farmers to follow best-practice management of their forage crops before, during and after grazing.
Matt says this a high priority for B+LNZ as forage crops are a valuable component of many farm systems, particularly in colder parts of the country where grass doesn’t grow over winter.
“While the vast majority of farmers are striving to do their best to protect their soils and water resources, as well as ensuring their stock are well cared for, there are often opportunities to refine management of forage crops as new science, information and tools become available.”
He says the willingness by farmers to embrace new techniques and practices has been reflected in strong interest in workshops and seminars outlining best practice management.
B+LNZ’s winter grazing campaign is supported by regional councils, DairyNZ and Ballance Agri-Nutrients.
More information and advice for winter grazing is available here: https://beeflambnz.com/wintergrazing
A video on why farmers winter graze forage crops is also available here: https://vimeo.com/347408860
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
A hub farm in each of Beef + Lamb NZ’s seven regions and more focus groups are being rolled out for the red meat sector this year.
OPINION: Few things are more stressful for dairy farmers than running out of feed when cows need it most.
Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson says the present weather conditions remain challenging for farmers.
The red meat sector is poised for a strong rebound this season, with export receipts forecast to top $10 billion and farm profitability to almost double.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.
