Risk of drought is the only cloud on the summer horizon

THE BULLS are out, the kids are off school, the weathers is fab — it’s high summer and time for a wellearned rest.

While there are still jobs to be done, such as second cut silage, weed management, scanning the herd to assess the in-calf rate at the end of August, catching up on paper-work and so on, the hard yards of spring won’t be seen again until next February. These seasonal peaks and troughs in workload are a product of the spring calving system design. While the peak workload from February until mid-June may pose challenges, the troughs do provide the opportunity to recharge the batteries.

There are not many careers that offer you such opportunities to take time off or spend quality time with family and friends during the summer when the kids are off school or during Christmas.

The reduced summer workload also provides thinking time - time to review the system, to assess what works well and what doesn’t.

It’s certainly important to identify what areas on the farm have put both man and beast under pressure, and then review the options for change. Doing the same thing year in, year out will inevitably result in similar outcomes.

System problems will also reduce health and safety on farm, and may even impact on a farmer and family well-being.

During my time working in New Zealand, the big philosophy for spring calving systems was ‘Keep It Simple Stupid’ (KISS) and the mantras were “work smarter not harder” and “thinking outside the box”.

With 47pc of all the cows milked in Ireland now being in herds of greater than 100 cows, it’s no surprise that labour shortages and other issues around expansion have emerged.

The Moorepark ’17 dairy open day booklet summarised the characteristics of a labour efficient farm as follows: ÷Run a simple system that can be easily communicated to and operated by others; ÷Have a minimum number of enterprises and stock classes on farm; ÷Breed a suitable cow type; ÷Run the farm with an appropriate calving date and stocking rate to reduce the need for supplementary feed; ÷Good grazing infrastructure that facilitates the easy movement of animals, by one person; ÷Have adequate facilities, and a well organised farmyard infrastructure especially for calving and calf rearing.

Meanwhile, the only cloud on the horizon of this beautiful summer weather is the threat of a drought. At this stage it wouldn’t take much more dry weather to cause substantial reductions in grass growth that could see farms fall into feed deficits.

Growth rates

In recent weeks growth rates have been yo-yoing around on many farms which I suspect is a result of slight moisture stress. Here are some tips to manage drought conditions if they arise: ÷Continue to monitor the farms pasture cover weekly as the length of a dry period will determine the magnitude of the decisions required; ÷As soon as grass growth rates noticeably decline, lengthen the grazing rotation to 30 days. Do not go faster. Paddocks will need more time for recovery and growth in dry conditions; ÷If grass is still green and growing continue to apply fertiliser; ÷If grass is starting to brown and become crunchy do not apply fertiliser. Wait until 25mm of rain has been received and hold a rotation of 26-30 days until grass covers have improved. Note that this application of fertiliser will aid initial grass growth, which may then be followed by a flush due to available nitrogen in the soil

Pasture quality declines in dry conditions and will impact intake and milk production.

Supplements can be used to support the cow, however, to achieve a good response pasture should not be wasted and good grazing residuals must be achieved. Poor residuals reduce quality fur- ther and will rot away once rain is received, reducing recovery.

In drought conditions there is no room for unproductive cows so dry off and remove any high SCC, lame, selective culls or empty cows that won’t be required for 2018

Hot conditions reduce intake and milk production especially with Holstein Friesians which are more sensitive than crossbreds or Jerseys.

To reduce this impact, provide plenty of water. A cows drinks 2 to 6 time per day and consume more than 100 litres per day.

In really hot conditions use paddocks with shade, reduce walking distances, milk later in the afternoon when cooler and provide silage at night to reduce impact of heat produced by rumen fermentation.