Outlook with Bill Webb Bill Webb Feed Solutions

Well, we’ve had a bit of rain now, which has been good for grass growth. I’ve been talking to a Welcome Bay farmer who reckons we’ve had 800ml for the 12-month period. Normally we’d average 1600ml, so that’s 50 per cent less rainfall. Hence why things have been so dry for the last five months.

And definitely we’re suffering in Welcome Bay, just like much of the North Island is. Now, my weather guru suggests the current neutral phase we are in could extend into next summer. However, other weather gurus suggest it may change to a La Nina pattern in spring – but still the indications aren’t all there yet.

But if it’s another neutral phase, we could see the same conditions in terms of grass growth and feed availability next summer. So now is the perfect time – while farmers aren’t milking their cows – to plan ahead for their feed requirements for the coming 12 months.

This year our phone has been ringing red hot with people needing feed quickly and we’ve been running around trying to source it – and with not having enough, having to work out how we distribute it fairly.

So be warned – it’s not just scaremongering. It’s what I’m hearing from our weather forecasters going forward. This could be long-term. Our rainfall average is forecasted to be below-normal and sea temperatures are slightly up around NZ. So we have slightly warmer-than-normal temperatures.

We may have patches of wet weather over the next few months. But if the weather pattern stays in a neutral phase that will change out over summer again. And an early dry could extend through December, January, February, and beyond again.

So while farmers aren’t doing much they should be planning ahead – using this season as a benchmark.

Currently there’s still a lot of PK coming in to fill those gaps for everyone who hasn’t got their feed situation in order but it can be limited to ‘contracted supply only’ when there’s a shortage so there might not be an ‘on the spot’ market available if you need it. It’s not good to have a lot of imported feeds coming in when we’re trying to reduce our environmental footprint, grow locally and buy local and look after locals.

With wet weather watch out for pugging of paddocks. Be mindful when feeding out in paddocks, and to cows behind electric fences. Ensure they have a good-sized area and in the wet make sure they have water.

Take them off paddocks to races or stand-off areas if it’s going to be wet. This will prevent pasture damage, weeds, and having to re-sow in spring-time. When feeding winter crops ensure cows have enough room to stand off out of the mud. Keep them away from wet areas and waterways when feeding to avoid run-off. Councils will be keeping an eye on this as well as animal welfare I’m sure.

Mid-June, the Global Dairy Trade Auction price index rose 1.9 per cent compared to the previous sale on June 2. Whole milk powder prices, which have the greatest bearing on Fonterra’s farmgate milk price, were up 2.2 per cent to US$2829/tonne. And skim milk powder, the second biggest ‘reference’ product for Fonterra, was up 3.1 per cent to an average US$2609 /tonne.

Economists were talking the payout back a bit but are now saying dairy markets have performed better than expected during recent months and prices should now avoid dropping to the levels anticipated earlier this year, which is great news for the dairy industry and NZ.

Some of our high-end cuts of lamb have had prices drop back, with UK restaurants that demand those specialty cuts being closed or operating via reduced hours. The beef market is looking okay, but it’s hard to know going forward how demand will be with countries at all different stages in their Covid-19 responses.

Normally at this time of year we’d also be talking about how Fieldays went. With that not happening farmers still need to be mindful that they need to take time off-farm while they can. Otherwise they’ll be working year-round and that’s not good for health or wellbeing. So try to take break somewhere, spend some money in NZ somewhere.

It’s also timely to take a look at their businesses. Normally now is the time farmers would go and buy machinery, utes, milking equipment, software and all those sorts of things at Fieldays. Don’t stop doing that – because our dairying service and supply industry needs our support.

For example, a lot of these types of businesses need to order equipment early and if you get to spring and think you need a new mower asap, they won’t have it because it take months to get this gear into the country.

Also take a good look at what software and/or apps are available for all aspects of your operation. There is some really savvy stuff that can improve efficiencies, and get jobs done better. And with all these young Kiwis kicking around back in NZ there might be some really good talent out there designing software programmes to suit all types of applications.

You may already have technology in place but upgrades and new provisions and ways of using it are always coming out. And having the latest software could help give you real precision in the way you farm and help you accurately know your land’s parameters or challenges. And you could help keep this talent employed and keep them in NZ.

We still have a bit of feed available but it’s very limited. We’re looking at baling some milking quality grass silage as soon as the weather permits, so give us a call for any feed requirements.