ADM Deforestation-free PKE
27/09/2023
ADM NZ Newsletter October 2023
01/11/2023
ADM Newsletter - September 2023
General Manager NZ's comment:
Early spring has been a bit of a mixed bag around the country with some regions having a good start to the milking season whilst others facing tough weather, feed shortages and lower production. Grass growth seems to have picked up in the North Island over the last few weeks.
We continue to see an increase in the number of farmers feeding concentrate blends to ensure balanced nutrition and the best possible milk production to start the season. To make the choice around what blend to feed a little easier we have done our best to develop a balanced cost-effective blend, see more on the Milkers Blend.
As we go into October the focus is on mating, we hear most herds have been cycling well. To ensure a good conception rate, it is important to maintain a raising plan of nutrition in the herd and look to maintain consistency in the feed ration. If your blend has been working well don’t change anything before mating is largely completed. As farmers are looking to save cost where they can we have seen an increased level of interest in our “Value Max Calf blend “. Calves seem to love it and it is excellent value compared to most calf feeds. It is only available in 1 mt bags from limited locations saving both money and packaging, talk to the team about where this is available.
We hope most of you manage to have a little break following calving and before mating gets underway. I am hoping for a little sunshine and a few trout this weekend as the trout fishing season gets underway.
Regards
Peter Mourits - General Manager - NZ
Global Feed Markets
Global demand for PKE has remained firm over the last few months leaving the crushers in a comfortable position and supporting the firmer offer prices we have been seeing. Pricing in NZ has not been helped by our weaker NZ$. The firmer prices have meant most mills in Europe have been reluctant to cover their winter requirements, so there is still potential for further order flow here, but general PKE demand in Europe may be impacted by other commodities becoming more cost competitive. As always it is hard to predict global feed commodity markets. Indications are we will not see the weakening required to return prices to the levels we saw earlier in the year. Oder flow in NZ is expected to drop off as we see pasture growth rates improve. Only time will tell what the summer months bring , in terms of dry weather and any potential recovery in milk prices. Both have the potential to impact PKE demand and pricing.
Body condition loss in early lactation affects mating success – Natalie Chrystal, Nutritionist, Complete Feed Solutions
he dramatic drop in Fonterra’s forecast playout for the 2023/2024 season will have many farmers, and their bank managers, questioning whether the use of supplementary feed will pay for itself this year, and there is no doubt there will be substantial adjustments to budgets over the next few weeks.
When making decisions about where to cut costs, it is important to consider not only the cost of any input or strategy but also the overall return which that might bring to the business. Where farmers have a good handle on pasture management and are feeding a well-balanced diet (with or without supplements), reducing feed inputs will typically result in less milk in the vat. Ultimately this means that fixed costs are spread over fewer milk solids, reducing profitability per kg of milk solids and in many cases overall farm profitability.
Another undesirable consequence of reducing feed inputs, particularly in early lactation, is a likely reduction in in calf rates. Although this may not affect milk production in the current season, the consequences will be felt in subsequent years.
Irish researchers (Buckley, 2003 adapted from Regan, 2021)[1] assessed the effect of cow body condition at calving and weight loss between calving and first service in spring calved cows fed predominantly pasture based diets (Figure 1). These authors reported a decrease in 6-week in calf rates with increasing body weight loss between calving and first service. They also showed that cows with lower body condition at calving are less likely to get in back in calf.
Once mating has started cows should be either maintaining or gaining bodyweight to support the establishment of a healthy embryo, and it is important to maintain a stable or improving supply of nutrients, particularly energy, to the cow through the mating period.
Macro (such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sodium) and trace minerals (such as zinc, copper, selenium, cobalt and iodine) play an important role in many physiological processes including reproduction. Including these in a compound feed or blend is an easy and cost-effective way to ensure that cows get all the essential nutrients they need for milk production, health, and immunity.
Adjusting your feed budget in the face of a low pay out is always a challenge. However, while supplementary feed is costly, used wisely it can help improve the overall profitability of your business.
[1] References available on request.
Buckley, F., O’Sullivan, K., Mee, J. F., Evans, R. D. and Dillon, P., 2003. Relationship among milk yield, body condition, cow weight, and reproduction in spring-calved Holstein-Friesians. J Dairy Sci., 86 (7), pp. 2308 – 2319.
Regan, M., 2021. Pre-breeding management of the dairy cow. Veterinary Ireland Journal, 11 (5), pp. 298 – 301.
Product of the month
ADM Milkers blend is the product of the month. ADM has put together cost effective options for our farmers that still provide top results. This blend is formulated from quality ingredients to give you results on farm. We have had a lot of Farmers in the Waikato switch to this blend and are seeing good results. For more information click here
