Season
The BRIG farmers’ experiences have been varied because they are spread out geographically, but Rebecca says that for some the winter has been harder than historically, with low pasture covers, less rainfall and heavy snow.
Pasture growth rates were excellent when rain came. With warmer and drier soil conditions after the drought, pasture growth rates held up further into May than normally. Some areas did not get significant autumn rains, then dealt with heavy snow in June.
Pasture covers heading into spring are mixed – dependant on location and how each farmer managed the challenges of a dry summer. A wide range exists within the BRIG group: At the end of June covers ranged from 1200kg/DM/ha to 1600kg/DM/ha. Rebecca says that 1200kg/DM/ha is “pretty uncomfortable for the end of June”, but feed crops will take pressure off the pasture levels in the short term.
While there has been some heavy rain which can reduce feed utilisation, it was what could be expected in July and emphasises the importance of grazing management for achieving high utilisation.
“Utilisation often comes down to how feed is presented to stock.”
Rebecca points out that BRIG farmers who were proactive earlier in the year, destocking early, applying nitrogen, or grazing stock off farm, are now feeling reasonably comfortable that they can achieve their targeted stock performance.
“These farmers tend to have been more proactive in ensuring the farm’s average pasture cover heading into winter was as high as they could get it. Those who were not proactive or had no options are now faced with the only plan left – the crossed fingers approach, hoping the winter is kind.”
Feed demand on most farms will be lower due to lower stock numbers and lighter stock but that while this will reduce total demand, the reduction is often over-estimated. Rebecca says that whether late winter is kind or not, stock will have less of a buffer so monitoring liveweight and managing lighter stock accordingly is important.
Pregnancy scanning
Sheep scanning has provided a good reflection of how farmers coped with the trying autumn. With some results still to come, the BRIG farmers’ scanning range has been 122% to 174%.
Rebecca says that the farmer who scanned 174% for his mixed-age and two-tooth ewes is up 1% on last year and is delighted to have come through such a challenging season with this result.
At the other end of the spectrum, another farm has scanned 122%, 30% down on last year. She believes this range indicates how monitoring and proactive decision-making can minimise the impact of a drought.
The farmer scanning 174% has also been able to maintain stock numbers. One of the BRIG goals is to highlight such success stories with actual data.
“It is really exciting to be part of capturing some of these great results as well as getting alongside those who have had poorer results and helping them focus on the key drivers of their business to minimise the flow on effects of a poor scanning.”
Rebecca’s tips to get through to spring
- Those with crops and conserved supplement will need to be mindful of lower crop yields and may need to ration crops in order to carry stock far enough through the winter. The best way to assess crop yield is to measure it.
- With crops, being able to have a longer, narrower face to offer stock reduces trampling. A sacrifice paddock for wintering cattle may be an option. This could be a paddock with a crop in it or a paddock targeted for next year’s cropping programme. Moving stock on faster when paddocks are wet can reduce damage.
- Monitoring stock liveweights and looking after the lighter end animals is crucial because animal welfare is paramount. Helping the lighter stock through the winter will add value to the business.
- Doing a feed budget to understand feed supply is a beneficial exercise. Declining liveweights will affect animal performance and therefore business performance. In ewes, this has an impact on lamb survival and milk production and therefore lamb growth rates.
- Lighter cows may take longer to cycle, particularly first calvers, so the costs of a drought in 2012-13 could potentially have a negative impact on farm profit well into 2015 and beyond.
- There are not many options to changing the present environment. The next opportunities are selling ewes scanned in-lamb, selling ewes with lambs at foot, and applying nitrogen. These options require planning to become effective, timely decisions.
- Farmers will need to plan their way towards a profitable summer in 2014 after the 2013 drought. A plan provides focus and momentum. Most farmers are aware of this but it takes a bit of enthusiasm to spend some time gathering a clear picture of the situation and identifying the path to profit.
Beef Returns Improvement Group (BRIG)
Where: Rangitikei region
Who: Rebecca and Dave Warburton, Farmax, Beef + Lamb NZ, governing committee of six farmers.
When: 2012 – 2015
What: 10 farmers modelling, measuring and benchmarking farm performance, and sharing the outcomes and results with the community. BRIG’s 10 farmers receive full physical and financial analysis every year, and are able to benchmark business performance measures including:
- Annual pasture production and intake,
- Product production,
- Additional feed added to system,
- Cost to produce a kilogram (drymatter and product) and income generated (drymatter and product).
More Information: www.brig.co.nz
