14 | nzdairy ‘The wastage didn’t make sense to us’ Richard Loader South Taranaki 50:50 sharemilkers Andrin and Rahel Cotti have experienced great changes on their 87-hectare effective dairy farm through the use of a Tow and Fert 1200. Originally from Switzerland, the Cottis both grew up on farms before moving to New Zealand for the opportunities available to work in the dairy industry and build their business. They are milking 250 cows and it is their second season on this farm. “We were dusting minerals onto the pasture, which meant applying three times more than the cows actually needed, and still getting significant numbers of down cows,” says Andrin. “That kind of wastage simply didn’t make sense to us.” This was the initial issue that moved them to have a look at what other tools were out there. “We learned about the Tow and Fert and all the different benefits it could bring into our operation. Applying calcium and magnesium is now a very enjoyable job and the results are really satisfying. We use half as much calcium since we are spraying it on to the pasture. There are a few drops of the minerals on every leaf of grass and the cows can’t avoid it or wouldn’t even notice it. The number of down cows dropped significantly, to 4.5% with only one serious case of an older cow.” Andrin says the Tow and Fert has multiple agricultural applications including being a multifunctional tool for fertiliser, weed control, soil amendments and biological stimulants. The Cottis also apply zinc for faecal eczema prevention directly to pastures. “By putting all the minerals for the cows on the pasture you don’t have the problem of cows potentially drinking less as they don’t like the taste of the water or having to put other things in the water so they keep drinking.” The 1200 can spread up to 18 metres wide, covering one hectare in just three minutes. With a 1200-litre capacity, it can dissolve half a tonne of urea in cold water or suspend 1.2 tonnes of fine particle products. Andrin chose the 1200 model as he says he was a bit worried a trailer would be difficult to get through gateways but the 1200 goes on a three point linkage on the tractor making it a very compact set up. One of the other big benefits is to not be dependent on rain for the nitrogen application. Andrin says the backup from Tow and Fert has been a big part of their success using the product. “It’s all very well having the machine but the knowledge and back up of how to use it is key.” Andrin says because the Tow and Fert can be used as a spreader, sprayer and over-sower for small seeds so can be used for many jobs relating to fertiliser and nutrient inputs it potentially could be an alternative to common farming equipment such as a bulk spreader, boom sprayer and over-sower. “The focus of the Tow and Fert is often primarily on the nitrogen application but the animal health The Cottis also apply zinc for faecal eczema prevention directly to pastures. DAIRY PEOPLE » Cotti Dairy benefits are equally important we have found. Since we acquired the Tow and Fert, we are still learning and just scratching the surface of what we can do. For example our maintenance fertiliser can be applied with it as well. We could also mix small seeds in with it as well as any soil or plant stimulants and do it all in one go and on our own, little and often. It makes cleaning water troughs fun and fast as well as pumping and transporting any liquids on farm. After this first year of using the Tow and Fert we have found that it gets at most two months of a break from work due to its use throughout the year. It’s a great piece of equipment, well built to last.” “Since we acquired the Tow and Fert, we are still learning and just scratching the surface of what we can do.”
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