Mid-Way through summer the dairy season is looking good in Central North Island, Wellington, Hawke's Bay and Manawatu. "˜We're going okay with regular dollops of rain and quite a bite of clover about,' says Farmwise leader Sue Hagenson, Hamilton. With good grass quality and cow condition dairyfarmers are counting their good fortune with summer rain. It's in sharp contrast to feed shortages in last season's drought says the Rural News. A year ago farmers were starting to feed out. Now they may not be feeding out until March. Ken Bartlett from Farmwise is based in Waikato and says those blessed with strong pasture growth and good cow condition are in a good position to offset lower dairy payouts. But cash is king, Bartlett says. Profit this season hinges on maximum margins, minimum costs."˜ Contain costs for maximum efficiency on the farm. The challenge is to convert pasture into milksolids at lowest cost.' Bartlett advises that to get an accurate picture, farmers should convert all costs to cents per kilo milksolids. "˜Lower payout predictions mean farmers are cautious. They are seriously looking at budgets for autumn fertiliser. Most have high soil test readings. If the farm needs sulphur it will get it and next year, sulphur and potash.'Given good moisture in February, some nitrogen fertiliser will provide the cheapest extra feed. While running the farm at lowest cost, don't put cow condition at pastures at risk for next season. "˜We need to keep next season in our sights. That will require cows in good condition for calving and mating ahead.'Farmers need also to ask themselves "˜what if' questions. "˜What if I cull now to milk my most productive cows longer? Why not go on to once-a-day milking? It may extend the season a bit longer. Waikato has an advantage this season over last with more supplement in the form of crops on the farm and maize silage in the district. But hold off on autumn supplement to maximise production from pasture first. Farmers will look carefully at buying in maize silage. In the absence of long-term supply contracts, prices will boil down to supply and demand.
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