Research Essential in Search for Quality Fodder
6 Jun 2008
By Susan McNair, Currie Communications
 Dairy farmers’ desperate search for good quality fodder is likely to continue into the coming seasons and they will continue to pay a hefty price.
Leading consultant to the dairy sector, Peter Philipzen, Rural Management Advisors, Gooloogong, NSW, says the lift in prices in recent times has severely
impacted on bottom line of individual dairy farmers. He says fodder costs have gone from $150/mt to around $250/mt.
“And given they make up 50% of an average dairy cow’s diet, this is definitely having an impact.”
The price hike has coincided with increases in the price of other commodities – namely water. Coupled with that climate change, land use competition, strong
grain prices and reduced water allocations are squeezing hay supply, and production and transportation costs are also on the increase.
“It means farmers are constantly looking for a cheaper source of fodder. They are prepared to compromise on nutrition, and ultimately that impacts on milk
production.”
Failure to consider the nutritional value of fodder is something Mr Philipzen would
like to see addressed.
“It has a direct impact on production but until farmers start testing their fodder
the issue of quality will remain.”
He says farmers often complain about the variation in fodder, and an inability to
accurately monitor the quality of hay that is delivered on-farm.
“There are tools available that can help buyers in this situation and yet they have not been widely adopted. There is a good grading system, and testing systems,
and they need to be developed further. We also need to be looking at accurate,
real-time price reporting.
“The difficulty is that you need funding for that sort of development and extension, and the industry needs to make this a priority.”
Industry leaders will meet in Melbourne on June 11 to discuss future funding strategies for fodder R&D. Mr Philipzen says it would be wise for those leading the industry to take a long term view, and be prepared to participate in the debate.
Lachlan, Genevieve and Adam Marshall, milk 500 cows on a farm 20 km west of Finlay, NSW. From a farmer perspective, Lachlan agrees that quality forage is
imperative to maintaining and improving production.
“There is nothing worse than having a load of sub-standard hay delivered but it can be avoided. It’s important to have a good relationship with a grower you can
trust, or simply get in the car and go and see the forage you are buying for yourself,” Mr Marshall says. The Marshalls grow the majority of the pasture and corn silage, but the dry season has forced them to buy in 30% of their fodder requirements. Feeds such
as lucerne silage, and cereal straw have all been contracted through a local grower.
“With no channel water we have been fortunate to have access to a bore, so we try to grow as much on farm forage as as possible. But we have to buy in as well
to ensure we can maintain our level of production .We value our good relationship with local growers and tie feed up early in the season to ensure quality and
consistency.”
Mr Marshall says there is no benefit in leaving it to the last minute to secure a fodder supply.
“We can’t wait on the weather. We can’t gamble on the fact that we’ll grow more this season. Basically, if we manage to put away a reserve, we see that as money in the bank.”
Mr Philipzen agrees and says because farmers are typically optimistic about spring rains and feed growth, they are holding off making fodder decisions.
“But the fact is on-farm fodder reserves are very low. And those that sell to farmers don’t have any fodder in reserve either, so if it is dry again this spring,
we’re in big trouble.
“We need to start seeing the bigger picture around fodder supply and demand, and not just living season to season.”
Top
|
