Feed shortages happen every summer. Ian Williams, Pioneer forage specialist explains some options to fill the feed gap.

Many regions are experiencing an early spring. The collective sigh of relief is almost audible as we exit a winter and spring very different from last season.  

In little over a decade palm kernel extract (PKE) grew from being a little known by-product, to one of the most commonly used supplements on NZ dairy farms.

Maize silage harvesting is now underway in most regions.

Most farmers are focused on extracting as much milk as possible from home-grown feed.

Since the introduction of Pioneer's New Zealand silage trial programme in 1991, silage yields have increased by an average of 310 kgDM/ha/year.

The challenging milk payout will have many farmers scrutinising budgets for ways to reduce spending.

The latest Pioneer brand ‘Maize for Silage 2015-16’ catalogue gives average estimated growing costs for maize silage planted in high fertility or low fertility paddocks (Table 1).

One of the biggest recent advances in maize agronomy has been the growing of maize crops under film using the SAMCO System. 

Last month saw the release of the 2013-14 DairyNZ Economic Survey, which contains a wealth of data on the average physical and financial performance of 301 randomly selected owner-operator herds during the 2013-14 season.