44 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Reshure Farms Dairy farmersmakingmost of technology for success The couple run two dairy units – one a 96ha property with 300 dairy cows and the second operation is just three kilometres away. Rosa Watson Taking advantage of technological developments and using all tools at their disposal has helped Waikato dairy farmers Kaylene and Bill Aubrey get the most out of their successful dairy operations. The couple run two dairy units – one a 96ha property with 300 dairy cows on a low-system 4, and the second a system 5 operation three kilometres away, also running around 300 dairy cows on 86ha. This year they are focusing on nutritional inputs such as ME (matabolisable energy), Crude Protein, NDF (Neutral Detergent Fibre) and Starch inputs, versus how these are impacting outputs. “Maximising these inputs versus outputs relationship is where our focus is to keep the cows at optimum condition to maximise production,” the couple told NZ Dairy. They have created a spreadsheet system with a phone app looking dashboard that quantifies each food input, how these interact with each other resulting in ideal quantities while appropriately managing the costs to drive the bottom line. “(It’s) maximising what they’re eating out in the paddock, what they’re eating in the shed and what they’re eating on the pad. “We’re looking at that every day. Then we are saying how are the cows trending in terms of their outputs, and what can we change in terms of feed?” One technology that has been a game changer for the operation is the CowManager monitoring system. It uses ear tag technology to gather real-time information on health, nutrition as well as a wide range of accurate fertility data. It has a 98 per cent accuracy for predicting a cow’s heat, based on the information it collects from the cow such as its level of activity, rumination and eating. Bill and Kay have been using the system for 12 years, one of the first operations to take advantage of it. And it was one of the first things they did when they took on the second operation, Bill said. The system allows them to identify any cow that is out of the norm and respond quickly, which in turn keeps the cows at their optimum health and condition for calving and milking. For example, it will pick up if a cow is not cycling, or has mastitis or lameness so when required, a vet can be called in to intervene and quickly get her back on track. “It means we can get onto those health issues really quickly. That’s the beauty of CowManager,” Kay said. “You wouldn’t know unless you are looking at the report.” Bill agreed, adding: “We have a lot of information available to us, pre and post-calving.” It allowed them to target optimised mating, Kay said. “If we are looking at our system and looking at what it’s saying then we can make sure the cows are cycling properly. We can take those steps to make sure we are going to have a successful mating period and high six-week in calf period. “It pinpoints those cows that are in the best zone to have sexed semen ... the high producing, elite cows to put sexed semen in.” It meant they had their replacement calves arrive early in the season, and they could use beef semen on the lowest 30% of the herd. This meant instead of bobbies, they had high quality beef breeds to sell. “It changes the way you look at your system and how you can change it for the benefit of your cows,” Bill said. Along with the farm, Kay is an AI technician, and works as a breeding consultant for genetics company Samen, which she says gives her an outside perspective to their operation.“It gives you access to a whole lot of different types of farm systems, people’s views Phone 07 888 7264 or 027 240 8415 • jimmy@jimmynealelectrical.co.nz When it comes to all things electrical, we’ll see you right. • Whether it’s domestic, commercial or rural electrical • You have my commitment to consistency and continuity • Personal service and consultation Proudly Supporting Reshure Farms Incorporating since 2022 62 Firth St Matamata 3400 Phone 07 888 4405 Email office@milknwaterservices.co.nz Website www.milknwaterservices.co.nz Proudly Supporting our Community • Trenching • Bore lifting • Water Systems • Filtration • Tools • Engineering supplies • Milking machines • Trailer hire • Dairy essentials Repairs Servicing Diagnostics A/C Repairs Hydraulic hoses Parts & Batteries 07 888 5929 www.tractortech.co.nz admin@tractortech.co.nz Proudly supporting Reshure Farms and approaches.”Not many other farmers have this opportunity, she said.“Typically, farmers don’t tend to get off farm.”Meanwhile, Bill has accompanied a feed rep visiting various farms investigating how they approach food inputs. “That gives us whole raft of information to work from to decide what suits us.” The couple have become members of Holstein Friesian NZ and are “heading down the pedigree track”, Kay said.
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