Milking cows grazing summer pastures on a dairy farm in New Zealand

Summer is just beginning and there are plenty of pasture management decisions that need to be made. Our cows graze the pastures all year round and at this time of the year we have to focus on the quality and quantity of feed while looking ahead to the dry months where rainfall is our most limiting factor. Rotational grazing is actually very simple but requires constant attention every day.

[@jamieobrien9737]

Just came across your channel yesterday and been watching your vids loving your content and love your style of farming, thanks for sharing from a fellow nz dairy farmer (contract milker) 🤙

[@FarmGate78]

Thank you! All the best for the season!

[@alf7589]

Do you use a system to set benchmark rotation days for each month?

[@FarmGate78]

Yes pretty much. It is nothing fancy just knowledge of the area and work backwards from there. Winter works best at 107 day round through until August 1st and then aim for 23 days by 25th September. 21 with 2 days reserve (so 23) through until roughly 1st December (depending on moisture) Then build throughout December to 30 by 1st of January.

[@JustineWorsey]

Great vidio cows r milking well what is your average solids/cow

[@FarmGate78]

Thank you! The production range per cow is between 530-580kg.