44 | Switch to autumn calving simpler Waikato dairy farmer Richie Martinovich. The herd grazing at a feed lot. Richard Loader Achieving increasingly better results while keeping a lid on costs has been a key focus for Waikato farmer Richie Martinovich, who returned to the family farming business 16 years ago. Sitting just below the Bombay Hills in Mangatangi, the Martinovich’s 250 hectare dairy farm is predominantly at to rolling with a couple of steeper hills at the back that are still tractor accessible. When Richie returned to the farm it was milking 750 cows but over the last few years he has dropped that back to 650 and leaned more to a cross bred cow that is a bit lighter on the typically wet soils. Traditionally a split calving operation, Richie has recently made the call to switch to autumn calving, and mated all cows in June last year, with no spring calving and the cows milking through. “We grow a lot of grass over the winter and make as much supplement as we can through the spring. Split calving always meant a challenge nding labour, and we just decided that it would be a lot easier go all autumn calving. We will be nished May, and then start mating again. Over winter we pretty much just milk.” Over the last couple of years Richie has consulted with a soil scientist to better understand the needs of the land, resulting in reduced animal health costs, halving fertiliser costs and progressively increasing milk production. “We’re putting more grass species in, including clovers and plantains, going back to some of the older style grasses, and doing everything better,” explains Richie. “We’ve soil tested every paddock, so we know what they need and through that we’ve decided to liquify all our fertiliser using a cyclone spray tank mixer. That has resulted in quarter or half rates of urea being applied to the paddocks. So we’ve halved our fertiliser costs and grow a lot more grass. Instead of applying regular amounts of dry fert, we follow the cows around. At the moment we have plenty of grass growth, and we’re only applying 15 kilos per hectare of liquid nitrogen mixed in with the normal trace elements, phosphates, lime our and mollases — depending on the season.” Richie says a return to CRV Ambreed for genetics has also resulted in better semen and cows with better longevity. RURAL PEOPLE » Richie Martinovich “The cows were getting a little bit small, so at the moment we’re putting Friesian over everything just to bring the size up a bit. We normally do Friesian over Jersey and then Jersey over Friesian to get a good cross bred cow. You’re also getting paid more for protein than fat now, and the cross breed seems to offer the best of both worlds – ease of calving, they don’t eat as much and they’re not a big animal.” At 83 year’s young, Richie’s dad, Barry, is still an enthusiastic participant on the farm — taking command of the truck and digger, and overseeing operations on the run-off just down the road. “Dad keeps an eye on us and cracks the whip when he wants something done,’ says Richie. “He still does all the accounts – he is still sharp as a tack.” HAURAKI PLAINS MOTORS LTD For all new and used farm machinery 1 Pipiroa Road, NGATEA Ph: 07 867 7021 E: admin@hpmotors.co.nz www.haurakiplainsmotors.co.nz Miles Shelley 027 227 1121 Michael Duffin 027 440 4681 Email: office@kbs2018.co.nz Mobile: 0274 844 083 Phone: (09) 232 5804 0800 241 501 Email: office@wehale.co.nz Phone: (09) 232 5834 • Lime & Fertiliser Spreading • Orchard Spreading • Organic Spreading • Consignment Store - Bulk and Bags • North & South Lime • Spreadmark Certified • GAP Verified • Bark • Animal Bedding • Garden Media • Metal • Drainage Metal • Aggregate & Decorative Stone • Compost • Govt Certified Weigh Bridge • Stockfeed Cartage • 868 Coalfields Rd, Maramarua, RD1, Pokeno 2471 • Phone 09 232 5834 •
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=