Optimising dairy farm returns in summer-dry areas

Authors

  • K. Alexander
  • N. Mouton

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.1995.57.2167

Abstract

To increase milk productivity on an SO-hectare dairy farm, a series of improvements was introduced. With the use of fodder flow analysis and step-by-step identification of each part of the farming process a system was introduced on the property to improve overall output. A new farm management system was introduced for the property: The system hinges around the use of annual ryegrass summer forage crops to achieve a change to a new ryegrass species, removing old swards of fescue and kikuyu. Improved soil fertility and use of nitrogen, together with a crop programme, helped change the grass growth curve. Having employed these processes of change, timing of management decisions and long-term planning were critical to any change of farm management. Deciding hew to implement a change and actually achieving the change were critical to the success of lifting milk production while maintaining overall profitability. Keywords: dairy farms, decision making, farm management, fodder, nitrogen, profit, research

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Published

1995-01-01

Issue

Section

Articles