High Energy Pasture

High Energy Pasture

Application of DoloZest with autumn fertiliser will boost overall production. Cage cuts from the monitored dairy farm at Edgecumbe showed total growth for the twelve months to the end of August ’07 to be 17,668 kg DM/ha.

That’s a 26% increase over the 14,000 kg DM/ha grown on the property the year previous to our involvement 4 years ago. The 14,000 kg DM/ha figure was achieved with the use of 100 kg N/ha.

The 17,668 kg DM/ha recorded for the last 12 months was grown with no fertiliser nitrogen!

What is certain is that the total quantity of feed grown is directly related to life within the soil. Increase the life within and more total production will follow naturally. Decrease soil life and total production declines. The continuous use of nitrogen fertiliser, in nearly all situations, will reduce soil life and limit production.

Cows require high energy and fibre in early lactation to balance the naturally high protein levels in rapidly growing grass. In a dairy situation this can be checked by the introduction of extra energy and fibre into the diet. Protein production lifts as the extra energy allows for more to be utilised rather than excreted.

So what’s the answer to higher energy and fibre demands in early lactation? Good quality hay is the most obvious, easiest to feed, and most effective because it has the long fibre necessary for optimum rumen function & cows will self regulate on hay eating only what is required for top production.

Just as pasture production is dependant on microbial activity in the soil the production of a ruminant is dependant on microbe activity in the rumen. Best rumen function is achieved with constancy of diet. Rapid changes in diet will limit production for a period as the rumen biology changes.

Energy levels of pasture on properties that have been using DoloZest and CalciZest has been monitored with a refractometer. There are now a number of properties with pasture brix levels consistently of 10+ and enjoying the following benefits:-

• Very contented animals that spend more time ruminating
• More rapid plant recovery from adverse climatic conditions
• Few animal health problems and lower weight loss after calving
• Improved mating performance
• Pastures white with clover flower
• Fewer weeds.

Applying DoloZest or CalciZest in late summer or early autumn ensures rapid decomposition of the dung and dead grasses that have accumulated on the soil surface during summer providing the maximum time to establish optimum pasture covers prior to winter.

For advice on product application rates for your property and information on how we can improve the productivity of your farm phone 0800 843 809.

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