The visitors braved a cold wind while examining chicory and clover in a paddock. Most of them were wrapped up in jerseys and jackets, hats and long trousers with only a few hardy people wearing shorts in defiance of the cool December weather.
Stewart said it had been a hard season for people and stock.
«People are tired and frustrated. We just want some sunshine.»
DairyNZ field officer Julie Morris said there was little spare pasture, and while some silage and baleage had been made, it was mostly lower quality than farmers had hoped.
She said contractors could not cut paddocks at optimum times due to the rain and as a result, most of the grass was too old to yield high dry matter.
«People can feed it out, but it won’t do good things for milk production.»
Morris said this had been a challenging year for farmers.
«You need a plan for the future months. Do a feed budget. You have to farm out of the trough we are in.»
She said farmers could top paddocks, use urea fertiliser and check leaf growth to manage round length.
One farmer said there had been a lot of moisture, but not much growth as he struggled to keep cows well fed and producing a lot of milk.
Stewart said he was down about 16 per cent in milk production so far this season.
Morris said the area Stewart was in at Hiwinui had been hard hit because of the heavier soils and rain.
«Other areas in Manawatu and Rangitikei have had slightly less rain and some are on lighter soils. This area has had both rain and has heavy clay soils.»
Stewart said rain had caused pugging which was particularly visible in gateways.
«It is a good turnout. It is good for us to share our stories and what has been happening over the spring.
He said he was sure town and country people alike wanted to see more sunshine.
«But when you are farming particularly on heavier soil types and you see a few damaged paddocks, it really plays on your mind. It is just another thing you’re concerned with.»
Morris said farmers were always having to change their plans with changeable weather and this included fertiliser use, feed budgets and silage-making.
«It means from July until December, these guys have been changing their plans.»
Stewart said he was farming because of the changing conditions.
«That’s part of why I am a farmer. I like a bit of a challenge and a bit of variety. But this year has really pushed us and it hasn’t been that comfortable.
«It is what it is. You can’t change the weather. You just have to get milk in the vat and try not to ruin your paddocks.»
Stewart and Morris said farmers needed a holiday after the tough spring and early summer.
Stewart Dairylands has a total of 600 hectares on clay soils, separated by a main road into two farms. The farms are run with flexible systems, with all cows calved on the «home’ block and all feed grown on the farms.
Stewart said he farmed for the future, environmentally and adapting for technology and looking after people was a major principle for him.
Source: Stuff
Link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/87613716/Slow-milk-production-on-heavy-soils