The importance of the amount of feed on the farm at calving to seasonal milk production

T.I. Phillips

New Zealand Dairy Board, Matamata

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1983, 43: 91-92

Twelve dairy farmers were taught a system of pasture scoring in May 1981. From then until the start of calving they assessed the amount of feed on their farms at fortnightly intervals.

Milkfat production per hectare during the subsequent season was closely related to the amount of feed on the farm at the start of calving. Feed at calving was closely related to the amount of feed on the farm in May.

The data suggest that milkfat production from most dairy farms is limited by having insufficient feed on the farm at calving.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

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Last Updated 03-05-1997