| 5 nzdairy It’s a buffer so when we’re feeding those concentrates it helps to balance things out, and with acidosis.” The amount of maize grown, about 1000 to 1100 tonnes a season, represents 25% of both the area of the farm and of the cows’ diet. “We’re in a pretty good area for maize growing, getting up to that 25 tonne a hectare mark in a good year. Maize loves effluent, it’s a pretty amazing crop really.” Outside of planting and harvesting, it is otherwise a low-labour crop, James says. In addition to being a great means of utilising effluent, the maize is a safe feed and, stored in bunkers adjacent to the farm’s feed pad, the large amount available provides good food security. Breeding for the entire herd is by artificial insemination, with calving this year running from July 19 to late September. The farm employs three full-time staff and a part-time calf rearer. The cows are milked through a 50 bale rotary shed which has Protrack automatic drafting, plus they have had Halter collars and its virtual fencing system since June 2023. Accuracy with pasture management and with saving time have been two significant benefits. “Particularly in the spring when we’ve got half a dozen different herds of cows, they all get an accurate amount of grass and it only takes a couple of minutes to sort it all out.” James bases the allocation of feed on square metres per cow. “When we start calving we allocate 80 square metres per cow per day. When the cover starts to lift we increase to 100 square metres and remain at this level all season, adjusting the supplement ration as the grass growth fluctuates. “It’s quite a simple system when you look at it like that, although we feed a lot of different things.” “When we start calving we allocate 80 square metres per cow per day.” • from page 3 Proudly supporting Acer Properties Ltd • All farm veterinary services • Equine dental care only on clinic location • Lifestyle block services • Full after-hours service for clients, always speak to the vet directly! office@putvet.co.nz 07 883 7530 www.putvet.co.nz putaruruveterinaryservices SHANE’S MOBILE MAINTENANCE LTD Workshop site: 20 Patetere Street, Tirau Proud to support Acer Properties Ltd Specialising in: Cowsheds: Rotary, Straight Rail, Herringbone, new, alterations or repairs, maintenance & servicing Truck Bodies: New Decks, Repairs to Decks, alterations or Repairs on wear & tear Repairs & Maintenance to all farm machinery and equipment Shane & his team can be contacted at: 20 Patetere Street, TIRAU Phone 07 883 1560 Mobile 0274 935 350 Email shane@mobilemaintenance.co.nz DAIRY PEOPLE » Acer Properties Ltd The 190 hectare farm is an equity partnership between Angela Rose and her son James and his wife Rosie.
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