Dairy farmers struggling with the low milk payout may be reluctant to pay for grazing and tempted to try to grow heifers out themselves.
Given the importance of quality heifers for future production, Taylor said some might be better off reducing numbers to reduce grazing costs, rather than cancelling their off-farm grazing plans.
He said the difference in the calving rate that can be achieved from quality grazing and growing heifers out well can potentially cover grazing costs.
Until they started grazing through the New Zealand Grazing Company four years ago, the Taylors never signed a formal agreement with their dairy farming clients.
They never had a handshake deal go sour. Clients would occasionally make noises about finding cheaper grazing elsewhere, but seldom acted on that.
The grazing company now acts as an intermediary between the couple and their dairy clients. Taylor said the company has introduced good systems and protocols around animal health.
“The grazing company keep me on my toes – they weigh once a month and I don’t have to do any accounts.”
He said communication and relationships are vital for making grazing arrangements work. Experience has also taught Taylor that every animal is different. When new animals arrive on the farm, no one knows how they will grow or react to the new feed on offer.
With regular payments, now based on the grazing company’s modelled drymatter payment system, he said heifer grazing is similar to being on wages.
“I would like to see dairy heifers become a type of farming just as sheep farming, or beef or dairy is a type of farming that can sustain you.”
