Crop advice to farmers urges caution
Friday 5 June, 2015
DairyNZ is reminding farmers to continue being careful while transitioning cows on to crops such as swedes and fodder
beet following early reports from veterinarians of a small number of cow deaths this season.
DairyNZ's regional leader for Southland/South Otago, Richard Kyte, says around half a million cows in the region are now
feeding on crops and this is an important period for managing the transition onto these feeds.
"We've had reports from veterinarians of deaths of cows feeding on both swedes and fodder beet crops. Many farmers will
only be half way through transitioning their cows onto crops at this stage in the season. It's vital they keep that
careful transitioning approach going."
DairyNZ is continuing to work with farmers and veterinarians this season to identify early signs of ill-health in
animals. "We want to record incidences of ill-effects throughout this season and so we are urging farmers to contact
their veterinarians if they have one or more cow deaths or concerns about ill-health."
He says fodder beet is a crop that farmers are using more this season. This also requires careful management as a feed
for cows.
DairyNZ has issued detailed advice to farmers on feeding both swedes and fodder beet in the past week. See links below.
Caution urged over fodder beet intake<http://www.dairynz.co.nz/news/latest-news/caution-urged-over-fodder-beet-intake/>
DairyNZ scientists are urging farmers to take care when feeding fodder beet to their dairy herds this winter. The
caution comes as vets report increased issues with cows becoming ill or even dying as a result of problems experienced
on fodder beet crops
Swede survey shows multiple factors to manage<http://www.dairynz.co.nz/farm/adverse-events/southland-swedes/>
Industry body DairyNZ is advising farmers to focus on managing a number of factors involved in feeding swedes this
season, including the proportion of swede that makes up the diet of their cows.
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