Characteristics of seasonal dairy farms achieving high per cow production in the lower North Island of New Zealand

H.K. Crawford, D.I. Gray, W.J. Parker, N. Edwards

Department of Agricultural and Horticultural Systems Management, Massey University, New Zealand

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1995, 55: 72-75

The ability of New Zealand cows to achieve high milksolids production has been well documented, but less than 1% of New Zealand dairy herds consistently achieve more than 350 kgs milksolids (MS) per cow per season. A survey was undertaken to characterise seasonal dairy farms in the lower North Island that had achieved an average production of at least 348 kg MS per cow over three seasons (n=31 farms from 1162 suppliers). Thirty of these farmers were interviewed.

The farmers averaged 51 +/- 11 years of age and had 31 +/- 10 years of dairy farming experience. The average herd size of 164 (range 52-515) cows was milked on 66.5 hectares (2.48 cows/ha). Milksolids production of 386 +/- 28 kg per cow was achieved from an average lactation length of 274 +/- 10 days. Peak MS production ranged from 1.16 to 2.09 kg/day. Production equated to 881 kg MS/ha and 56,800 kg MS/farm. Friesian and Friesian x Jersey cross cows predominated (87% of herds). Hay, silage, nitrogen, and grazing young stock off the milking area were used to increase the feed available to the milking herd. In pasture equivalent terms this equated to 315 kg DM/cow as hay, 342 kg DM/cow as silage and 198 kg DM/cow from nitrogen-boosted pasture. Concentrates and summer crops were each used by nine farmers to provide additional feed to their herds. There was a significant correlation between total feed inputs and days in milk )r+0.49, P<0.01). Per cow production was associated with soil fertility (r=0.48, P<0.01), and peak milk production (r=0.68, P<0.001). A wide range of management systems were used to achieve high per cow production, but a common aim was to feed cows as well as possible.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; per cow production; dairy systems; farm management

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Last Updated 25-01-1997