Farmers feel pinch after rain

It is wet, wet, wet on dairy farms in Manawatu and Rangitikei and farms are feeling the pinch. Dairynz regional leader James Muwunganirwa said gateways were muddy and many farms had full water tables going into late autumn and winter, when more rain was likely.

Muwunganirwa said farmers were drying herds off this month, and many were milking once a day in preparation after milking twice a day through the main season.

He said most farmers were looking ahead to next season and were setting up for calving in early spring.

‘‘Farmers need to focus on cow condition and setting up pasture covers for calving cows.’’

Muwunganirwa said farmers who could send cows to another farm for winter would do that to get them off wet dairy platforms and allow them to grow pasture levels, before they returned to the farm.

He said dairy farmers battling wet conditions were encouraged to not only protect their pasture growth for spring but also take care of their own welfare.

Muwunganirwa said both people and pasture need to be cared for during calving, which was a challenging time on farms.

Along with managing pastures, farmers were encouraged to discuss their situation with neighbours, farm advisors or their Dairynz consulting officer, and look after their team.

‘‘These wet conditions during such a busy time of year makes things tough for everyone. Our farms are wet and we have a lot to do – but keeping the team’s morale up is important. Try getting everyone together for a meal or another activity to reward all the hard work.’’