Farming Diary for November

Pastures

• Pasture management is the top priority for November and it can be panic time.
• Two things can happen. Either pastures go crazy and start to show seed heads in a matter of days, or the expected 'flush' doesn't happen and you're not sure why.
• Don't panic over excess growth and review your options with costs in mind. Too many folk rush off and phone an agent to buy more mouths to eat the excess. It's 'grass market' time when stock prices are crazy, because other folk are doing the same thing. It's smarter to have stock to sell right now, and not be in the buying business.
• The best option is to make early silage, as it's the best way to preserve the nutrients in the original pasture and which has cost you money to produce. You need to get around 80% of its nutrients made and stored properly.  This means cutting and adequate wilting and not trying to save on wrapping.
• But don't expect a contractor to come around straight away if you have not prebooked them - they're busy folk and have to plan their work programmes. And they can't control the weather.
• Don't try to make short lush pasture into silage, as there's not enough fibre in it for a good fermentation. Silage is ready to be cut when you can see about 10-15% of the plants in the paddock showing early seed heads.  These can appear and change very quickly as temperatures rise.
• Think a lot about what size bales you will need, as this dictates how to feed them out in winter. Costs go up every year and you need to think in cents/kg Dry Matter (DM) in the bale. DM can be more expensive in small bales than large ones, but handling may be a major priority and so may resale if you want to cash them later.
• Too many wrapped silage bales won't keep for more than a season. This is very wasteful, so make sure the contractors uses enough wrap, even if it costs a bit more.
• Don't stack bales more than two high and fence them off from stock immediately.  Watch out for rats and magpies making holes.
• Forget about hay until the New Year, or unless there is settled weather in December.
• For a quick fix consider borrowing stock (for free or for payment) if pastures are completely out of control. A few big animals with large appetites will mow off the surplus quickly; so younger stock can control the more nutritious re-growth.
• Make these grazier stock work, and don't move them on until they have cleaned up all the excess growth, especially Cocksfoot clumps. Heifers running with a bull or some big steers would also do the job well.  On lush pasture a bale of old hay will help their digestion and you'll get your shed cleaned out at the same time.  Don't keep hay for more than two seasons.
• The key aim is to you is to get your pasture under control for December and January, so you are properly set up for the drier part of summer.  Nowadays always be prepared for another dry summer.
• If pastures get totally exhausted now, they'll struggle to be productive later and you'll probably have to revive them with nitrogen at a cost. The aim is to stop pasture plants going to seed, and the easiest way to do this is to rotate what stock you have around the farm quickly, simply eating off the excess growth and preventing seed heads developing.
• Leave the topper in the shed and save the diesel - use the stock to do the job.
• If the spring flush does not arrive, then clearly you have too high a stocking rate, or soil fertility levels are too low. Get rid of all unproductive stock and have a soil test done.

Sheep

• Lambs should be growing at 300g/day and you should be sourcing early export premiums for the best of them.
• Prime lambs are in short supply so shop around for quotes, and don't just take them to the local sale unless you know what prices are likely to be.  Use the Internet.
• Offer growing lambs plenty of feed and clean water. They will be competing with their mothers for grass, and the ewes' milk supply will be past its peak.
• Wean the best of them if they are approaching 20kg live weight, and give them the best of feed making the ewes clean up behind them.
• Dag dirty ewes as the lambs will be getting dirty too and the Aussie green blowfly will be about.  Spray the lambs around the crutch to prevent fly, especially if they are scouring and it's hot and humid.
• Check with your vet if you think lambs need a worm drench, as it's important that the correct product is used to prevent drench resistance.  Ewes should not need a drench.
• It's time to plan shearing.  Shearer's can refuse to shear daggy sheep on health grounds, so you will have to do this beforehand.
• The market wants wool no longer than 100mm, so there's no point in leaving it longer. Sheep must not be dipped for at least 60 days prior to shearing.  Keep the body wool separate from all the other parts - bellies, pieces and raddled wool.
• Don't tolerate any ewes with persistent foot rot and put them on the cull list. Remember you should not offer lame sheep in a public saleyard.
• It's time to start thinking about the rams you'll need for next year.  Stud breeders are now taking orders and rams sales are underway.  Buying rams is the main way to get genetic improvement into the flock, and not just to get ewes pregnant - so give it serious consideration.

Cattle

• Cows suckling calves should be fully fed as their calves are now eating a lot of grass.
• Check cows' teats for damage caused by calves' teeth.
• Keep an eye on any swollen quarters not being suckled as it could be mastitis. Suckled calves should be growing well in excess of 1kg/day.
• Dairy weaner sales are in full swing and these calves should be growing around 1kg/day on pasture. On good pasture in good weather, they should do this without meal.
• Meal is costly and if you are not getting good growth rates without it, contact a veterinarian as there must be a health problem.
• If calves are scouring, talk to your vet before buying drench as the problem may not be worms. Also check what vaccinations calves will need - e.g. blackleg.
• Any bulls needed on the farm should be ready for work this month.  Make sure they are on the farm 'hazard list' and never turn your back on them.
• Also make sure they are working properly and that cows are not returning to oestrus. If cows are not holding to service, then consult your veterinarian for prompt action.  Every cycle missed delays calving next year by three weeks.
• If you are using AI, then have an early check on Submission Rate and how may cows are returning to oestrus.
• Accurate heat detection is the key to success - so get help if you are not confident at this.

Management

• Update all records and especially the farm diary.
• Pay bills promptly.
• Talk to your bank manager early if you can see cash flow problems coming up.
• Increase your farm security as livestock are increasing in value this year and rustling is on the increase.