Feed plan will improve stock and production

Market report for 19th and 20th April 2017 Wednesday Fat Sale 365 head. Thursday Bull and Cow Sale, 23 bulls, 562 cows

This week’s fat sale followed up last week’s yarding of 35 head with a more realistic number of 365 head. Prices were slightly easier than the larger sale of two weeks ago. Condition is starting to slip and is noticeable amongst the pens. Bullock numbers were back and sold to less competition. Heifers, steers and veal all sold to easier demand this week, easing prices across the board.

This week’s yard average was 10 cents easier at 309.3 cents.

5 bullocks topped at 309.6, back 21 and averaged 288.6, back 15.

16 heifers topped at 322.2, back 23 and averaged 246.4, back 19. 44 steers topped at 314.2, back 16 and averaged 259.3. 300 veal topped at 385, back 2 and averaged 326.5, back 18.

The bull and cow sale on Thursday saw 594 head yarded and although demand for bulls was consistent cows eased with demand. 23 bulls made to 322.2, up 15 cents and averaged 2 cents better at 253.3. There were 562 cows offered and the top was back 9 cents to 300, whilst the average was 22 cents easier at 192.8 and the yard average eased 22 cents to 196.3.

1 LimX M Maskell, P/wong East 5 Lim M Dodson, Trafalgar Sth 1 LimX R&H Olsen, P/wong East 1 CharX Mrs K Fusinato, Warragul 5 CharX D&E Kelton, Drouin

1 Ang 1 Ang 6 Ang Heifers 1 Ang M&J Fusinato, Neerim Sth 480 307.2 Export Cows and Heifers 1 S/Hef B&A Pratt, Ellinbank 405 300.0 1 Ang Second Crater P/L, N/Nth 555 293.2 3 Ang S&M McAlphin, Hill End 535 270.0 1 Ang W Caldwell, Yinnar 680 267.6 3 Ang Blackwood Grazing, Traf 662 262.6 1 Ang N&D Renshaw, Lillico 570 260.2 Dairy Cows 3 Frn MPH Farming, L/touche 2 Frn G&H Fisher, Warragul 3 Frn Bonnie View, Drouin 1 Frn Stanvale Farm, N/Jnct 1 FrnX N&D Cranston, NNG 1 Fleck R&C Monk, Poowong Bulls 1 Bld 1 Lim 1 Ang 1 Frn 1 Frn 1 Frn

A&H Rhodes, Darnum G&C Rathjen, Cloverlea Rural Air Services, Wgl Farugia/Blaney, Tinamba N&D Renshaw, Lillico W Cladwell, Yinnar Oanwayje, Longwarry I&A Berry, Shady Creek A&L Bodman, Poowong

375 382.0 395 378.0 390 371.2 379 370.0 325 364.0

490 314.2 535 311.2 498 308.2 645 242.0 573 238.6 703 230.0 675 225.0 600 221.6 630 220.0

895 322.2 2883 965 312.2 3012 810 277.6 2248 950 272.2 2585 905 266.6 2412 705 236.6 1668 1. SEJ, 2.

Landmark, 3. Scotts, 4. Gibbon, 5. Elders.

1432 1493 1447 1369 1183

1539 1664 1534

1474

1215 1627 1444 1819 1737 1483

1560 1365 1616 1518 1329 1386

Farmers should focus their efforts on having a plan to feed all the stock on farm, with fodder that’s feed tested which is likely to get you better grown and conditioned stock and more profitable milk production.

This is very important for young stock that seem to be commonly underfed during autumn and winter.

Check your volumes of hay and silage against the planned feeding, if you need to change the plan as volumes are low you will know in advance.

Establishing a wedge of pasture after the autumn break.

Balance your grazing rotation with seasonal conditions and your calving pattern.

If you dry off all or most cows and destock the farm for a period in winter, you may be able adopt a more aggressive grazing strategy now. If you milk cows through winter make sure to plan for the feed demand from pasture in winter.

Plan your grazing rotation without areas of renovated or over sown pasture as these areas may take some time to become available if rainfall comes late in autumn.

Have a plan for wet soil conditions should they occur, stand-off paddocks and suitable feed sources may be required this winter.

Use nitrogen fertiliser to boost pasture growth if required.

If cold conditions occur and you are eating pasture faster than its growing consider the use of Gibberellic acid to increase pasture growth rates. Establishing and managing new pastures Check new pastures for pests such as red legged earth mite and lucerne flea, if found they will need to be controlled as soon as possible to reduce damage to the seedlings.

Do the ‘pluck test’ to check new sown pastures are ready for grazing, the plants need to be well anchored in the ground so they will not pull out, sometimes just waiting until a wet soil has dried out is enough for the plants to stay in the ground during grazing.

When grazing newly sown pasture for the first time, if possible use a large mob of animals that are light weight (young stock) for short periods of time to lightly graze new pastures to a 4-6cm residual.

Follow the first grazing with broad leaf weed spray if it’s required to allow the pasture tiller and thrive.

Consider the use of nitrogen to strengthen the plants and grow more dry matter after the first grazing. Stock Drying off offers the opportunity to prevent mastitis using dry cow treatments, cows that have had mastitis may need to be treated differently to cows that have a low BMCC and have had no mastitis.

Ensure dry cows have enough feed, dry cows require between 70 and 90mj/cow/day and 13 to 14 per cent crude protein when dry.

Check the quality of the feed they are being offered if pasture is limiting, local Gippsland hay is often very low quality and should be feed tested if it is offered as the only feed source to dry or transition cows.

Cows within 21 days of calving (transition cows) should be fed carefully to prevent milk fever and other difficulties, talk to your advisor about this or see the Dairy Australia we site www.dairyaustralia.com.au and search for check list for transition cow management. If autumn calving: Prepare for autumn cow joining, make sure you have the necessary bull power.

Aim for six bulls per 100 cows, if not using AI and three bulls per 100 cows with AI. Rest the herd bulls regularly, InCalf recommend alternating bull teams at least weekly.

Consider checking bull fertility, checking for pestivirus (especially if a new bull enters the property) and vaccinating to prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as vibriosis. Young stock Investing in feeding young stock well, provides a return to your business in more than one way.

Get back in calf more easily as first calvers in the herd. Produce more milk than undergrown heifers. Contribute to a more predictable calving pattern as they are calved down at 24 months old rather than 30 months old.

Prepare your calf rearing facilities, consider disease and ease of operating as priorities.