Planning, Feeding, and Genetics: Key to Yearling Heifer Mating Success
Planning, feeding, a robust animal health programme and the right genetics are the critical factors in a successful heifer mating programme.
Recent widespread autumn rain will have triggered the germination of subterranean clover seeds, and the resulting seedlings should be allowed to reach the 3–4 trifoliate leaf stage before grazing, says Beef+Lamb NZ.
With the correct management, these seedlings will provide ewes and lambs with high quality feed in late winter and early spring.
According to B+LNZ’s factsheet “Using Subterranean Clover”, farmers wanting to increase the population of subterranean (sub) clover in their swards should spell paddocks after germination has occurred to allow the seedlings to reach the 3–4 trifoliate leaf stage.
Ideally, the paddocks should then be grazed by cattle to reduce shading of the clover seedlings. This is particularly important in wet, ‘growthy’ autumns.
Over winter, the paddocks can be grazed as required, but B+LNZ recommend farmers keep the clover-rich pastures above 1200kg DM/ha. If possible, lambing paddocks should be spelled completely to allow pasture covers to build for lambing.
Sub clover is an annual legume which is valued for its ability to produce more drymatter than perennial legumes in early spring, making the most efficient use of available soil moisture. This means it is ideal for driving ewe lactation and pre-weaning growth rates.
Sub clover grows at least a month earlier than lucerne, white and Caucasian clovers. It favours sunny dryland sites, so it is particularly valuable in East Coast dryland hill country, where, with the appropriate management, it is able to persist in environments where white clover dies off.
Well managed dryland pastures can have 50% clover on offer in September and October.
Grasses in legumerich pasture benefit from the nitrogen(N) fixed the legumes as they take up the extra N and become more palatable to stock.
Subterranean clover has the ability to produce high-quality feed in late winter and early spring. As it thrives on drier sites (sunny hill faces, stony soils), with the correct management, subterranean clover can be a valuable component of east coast, dryland, sheep systems.
As an annual legume, sub clover produces more drymatter in early spring than perennial legumes such as white clover. This is because annuals germinate and grow at a lower optimum air temperature (10-15 °C) than perennial legumes (20–25 °C). Sub clover starts rapid growth at least a month earlier than lucerne, white and Caucasian clovers. Wellmanaged dryland pastures can get 50% clover on offer in September and October.
Grazing animals, when given the choice, prefer a diet that is 70% clover and 30% grass. Providing quality herbage from August to November helps lactating ewes milk well, ensuring rapid lamb growth rates. This allows lambs to be finished earlier, before summer dry conditions limit pasture production.
Following recent storms in the region, the 69th edition of the Tour of Southland cycling event has been postponed.
A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.
An increasing number of students are doing agricultural and horticultural degrees at Massey University by distance learning.
ANZ New Zealand is encouraging farmers and businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather that hit Southland and South Otago last week to seek support if they need it.
When Professor Pierre Venter takes up his new role as vice chancellor at Massey University next February it will just be a matter of taking a few steps across the road to get to his new office at the Palmerston North Campus.

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