Outlook with Bill Webb Bill Webb Feed Solutions

The land looked very brown before we got some very welcome rain recently.

But, it still didn’t get as dry as last year. In the first half of February 2020 we had 8mm compared to 16mm this year and there is plenty more rain predicted to be on the way, with a tropical front coming down.

In saying that, some farmers say their land is dryer this year compared to the same period last year, which may be due to the scattered showers that keep happening – some places get 5-10mm while nearby properties get 40-50mm.

Harvest and pasture planning

We started harvesting maize on the week of the 15th, so that’s early for the third year in a row. The increasingly hot weather we’ve been having the last few years brings it on sooner by about 10 days.

We're getting 34 degree days – we never used to get temperatures that high, and used to think 28 degrees was sweltering hot.

Farmers’ pasture renovation plan should be on hand by now, and if not, it’s time to be looking at what paddocks to renovate, and which ones to put aside for cropping next year.

Target those paddocks that haven’t performed during the season. For the ones that get too wet in winter, it’s good to do the drainage on them now while it’s still dry.

If farmers have paddocks that are dry and sparse, they need to be selecting good permanent pastures like rye and clover that are resistant against bugs and dry conditions.

Slugs can be an issue when drilling grass, as they come up through the rows and chew away at the new grass. Putting a damp sack down overnight and seeing how many slugs are underneath it in the morning gives you a good indication of the population.

Kind to contractors

People will be feeding out their crop and turnip paddocks at the moment. The sooner you can get them drilled back into new grass the better. There’s no point in waiting – get in before the contractors get too busy.

If you’re getting maize delivered, be sure to identify your hazards with your contractors before they arrive.

Don't put stacks near power lines and ensure the ground is level – there always seems to be a trailer or truck tipped over somewhere due to the uneven ground.

Dead-level is best, otherwise it creates hesitancy for the trucking operators – it’s bad enough thinking about your gear getting damaged, let alone injuring someone.

Put the stack well away from drains to ensure no runoff gets into waterways.

Secure stack

Putting your stack on high ground that is free draining is ideal, so it doesn’t get wet in winter when feeding out.

Keeping the stack well covered is also important, by using good quality, heavy plastic, sealing it off at the bottom, and making sure your tyres are touching.

You can now get double layered plastic with an oxygen barrier to help reduce the spoilage on the top of the stack.

Fencing off the stack is important for keeping the stock off it, and shade cloth over the tyres will help keep the ducks and pukekos away.

Set up rat bait stations because as soon as they smell the feed they’ll want to have a go at it. The tyres are the perfect home for the little critters – it’s warm and insulated, and they have feed on their doorstep. Oh to be a rat on a maize stack!

Now’s the time to start introducing feed to the cows and slowly increase it.

Autumn is ideal for feeding out on the pastures, as the dry ground reduces waste. In winter and spring you tend to lose a lot and then your cost of feed goes up due to wastage, and nobody wants that.

So if you haven’t got a feed pad, feed out soon to get condition on the cows, extend the round out, and keep production going. With a $7+ payout on the way, there is no better time.

We still have some maize silage available but time is running out as it is in limited supply. We also have good milking quality grass silage in rounds and squares if you are short of feed.

We are taking orders for straw direct out of the paddock but that will come to an end shortly, and we will only have what’s in the shed available, so don’t delay.