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Beef + Lamb New Zealand Hawkes Bay Monitor Farm Anawai

Community Group Meeting Agenda Monday 17th February 2013, 1pm | Anawai, Elsthorpe Woolshed, 2069 Kahuranaki Road

Key Topics

Economic optimum fertility and farm returns

Lucerne - Lactation performance results

Deer - A practical approach to weaning deer

Agenda Items

o Anawai's journey so far and what has been learnt from 2013

o Managers report of the year to date, outlook & current plan

o 2012/2013 - Production and financial overview

o Assessing economic optimum fertility levels and the returns from lifting to these levels- Ingrid Smith,

Ravensdown

o Infrastructure development and budget for 2014

o Setting up for winter and spring

o Lucerne - lactation performance results recorded for the SFF Dryland systems project.

o Deer - Practical approach to weaning deer

o Thistle management

o Plantain - Develop a monitoring plan

Please bring bikes - B+LNZ encourages the use of helmets.

BBQ provided by Progressive Meats Ltd will follow.

Programme Sponsors

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Anawai – Hawkes Bay Monitor Farm Program

Community group meeting 17/02/2014

Hawkes Bay Monitor Farm Personnel Involved

Monitor Farm Owner: Craig and Penny Hickson

Monitor Farm Managers: Colin and Denise Davis

Stock managers: Matt Cook, John Hallgarth

Fencer General: Rodger Waihua

Chairman: Michael Hindmarsh

Management Group: Hugh Pearse, Ian Walker, Richard Hilson, Rob Buddo,

Chris Chesterman, Charles Pattison, Chris Guillemot, John

Pearse

Beef & Lamb: Mark Harris

Programme Coordinators: Ben Harker – AgFirst

Phil Tither – AgFirst

Community group

Programme Sponsors

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In this meetings handout

Anawai Overview ..................................................................................................................................................3

Current situation ..................................................................................................................................................6

Current Cover Outlook - Current plan ..............................................................................................................6

Potential Pasture Growth .................................................................................................................................6

Soil moisture deficit ..........................................................................................................................................7

Stock reconciliation ..........................................................................................................................................8

Monitoring Checklist ............................................................................................................................................9

Fertility ............................................................................................................................................................... 11

Lucerne Spring Performance Monitoring 2013 ................................................................................................. 12

For previous handouts and further details visit

www.Anawaimonitorfarm.wordpress.com

Anawai Overview

Vision

An innovative, interesting, rewarding and sustainable farming enterprise involving sheep,

cattle and deer

Mission Statement

Continuously improve in all aspects of our farming enterprise

1390 Effective Hectares 220 Hectares Purchased 2012

Maraetotora platform Hill/Face Country Elsthorpe platform

450 Hectares 500 Hectares 440 Hectares

Easy to moderate hill

High rainfall (annual rainfall

2032mm)

Steep hill

Moderate rainfall

Easy to moderate hill

Low summer rainfall (annual

rainfall 1016mm)

Free draining soils –

Maraetotora light silt loam

PH 6.4

Olsen P 16

Heavy soils prone to slipping –

Kidnappers silt loam

PH 5.6 (5.4-5.8)

Olsen P 18 (15-21)

Heavy soils – Atua light silt loam

(clay and heavy loam over light

silt loam)

PH 6.1 (5.9-6.2)

Olsen P 27 (24-29)

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Livestock policies

Target is 50:25:25 Sheep : Cattle : Deer

Sheep Beef

Commercial breeding ewes Breeding replacements and finishing all other

progeny (lucerne and Clive grange blocks are

used for lamb finishing)

Hoggets mated

Ram out with MA ewes 25th of March, one year

ewes 20th February, and hoggets 1st of May

560 Out of season lambing ewes embarking on a

5 Star lambing programme (lambing five times in

three years)

Angus breeding cows Breeding replacements and finishing all other

progeny.

Bull out with MA cows 24th of December, with

Heifers 15th of November

Weaner bulls carried through one winter Targeting 40% finished at 18-20months

Deer

Red Breeding Hinds Breeding replacements and finishing all other progeny.

Typically wintered on a self fed silage pad

Stag out with MA Hinds 10th of March, with yearling Hinds 25th January (mating dates 17th March and 1st

April)

Forages and cropping 2014

Target is 108ha of established lucerne (8 systems), 96ha of established plantain (4 systems), 33ha of

winter crop, and 24ha of Italian rye per year

91 ha Lucerne established

18 ha Lucerne to sow spring 2014

26 ha Plantain established

46 ha of run out Italian rye to be sown with plantain or Italian

18 ha of Italian to sow this season

Farm performance

10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 Target

163 153 155 270

Paddock numbers (excluding Clive Grange) 189 198 208 270

Average paddock size (excluding Clive Grange) 6.1 5.9 4ha/12ha

Potential Pasture Production tDM/ha 7.6 8.1 5.7 8.5

Pasture losses 18% 30% 19% 18-22%

Feed conversion efficiency (kg DM eaten / kg product) 37.9 35.1 35.3 30

Liveweight wintered kg/ha 567 597 518 770

Sheep:cattle:deer 62:20:18 64:15:21 2 50:25:25

Production

Kg Product/ha

Lambs sold

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Average Pasture growth rates

Average Pasture covers

10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 Target

893.00$ 984.00$ 463.00$ 1,000$

Expenditure/ha Budget -

Revised Budget -

Actual 574.00$ 599.00$ 550$

EFS/ha Budget -

Revised Budget -

Actual 289.00$ 386.00$ 450$

Expenditure % of GFI 65% 61% 55%

Fertiliser Tonnes

Wages % of GFI 12% 11% 12%

Fertiliser/ha

Wages/su (incl Mangt)

Fencing/su

Financial Production

Gross Income/ha

Profit B4 Tax/ha

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Current situation

Current Cover Outlook - Current plan

Potential Pasture Growth

Assumed February growth is 26% above plan.

(kg)

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Pasture Cover(kgDM/ha)

Target Cover

Actual Cover

Forecast Cover

Min.(Feasible)

Min.(Not Feasible)

Month Start J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J

Forecast/Actual 1,213 1,265 1,396 1,581 1,775 2,018 2,690 2,607 2,548 2,285 2,053 1,864 1,645 1,422 1,426 1,511 1,760 2,106 2,424 2,436 2,277 2,199 2,063 1,882 1,592

Minimum 1,152 1,192 1,218 1,477 1,606 1,609 1,492 1,438 1,492 1,600 1,547 1,311 1,260 1,285 1,322 1,485 1,569 1,563 1,416 1,394 1,441 1,486 1,370 1,145 973

J A S O N D J F M A M J

Cover

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

kgD

M/h

a

J A S O N D J F M A M J

Potential Pasture Growth

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

kgD

M/h

a/d

Target Actual Forecast Budget Actual Forecast

Jul 13 Aug 13 Sep 13 Oct 13 Nov 13 Dec 13 Jan 14 Feb 14 Mar 14 Apr 14 May 14 Jun 14

Cover Actual 1,265 1,396 1,581 1,775 2,018 2,690 2,607 2,548 2,285 2,053 1,959 1,693

kgDM/ha Target 1,400 1,400 1,500 1,800 2,000 2,100 2,100 2,100 2,000 1,900 1,800 1,500

Potential Pasture Growth Actual 10.2 16.2 22.5 26.9 35.0 53.5 24.5 24.0 23.0 21.0 16.9 9.0

kgDM/ha/d Plan 8.0 16.8 22.5 31.0 41.0 38.0 26.1 19.0 23.0 21.0 17.0 9.0

Demand Actual 11.8 13.8 16.6 20.0 22.3 21.3 20.0 18.5 20.3 19.8 16.3 13.3

kgDM/ha/d Plan 11.7 13.4 16.1 18.3 19.9 18.2 17.2 16.5 17.4 18.5 16.7 14.2

Effective Area Actual 1,340 Gross Margin Actual $1013225 Conversion Efficiency Actual 27.92

ha Plan 1,340 $ Plan $856700 kgDM Eaten/kg Product Plan 28.43

Pasture Loss Actual 22.3 Gross Margin Actual 756.03 Gross Income Actual 4.69

% Plan 24.6 $/ha Plan 639.23 $/kg Product Plan 4.35

Product Actual 223.7 Gross Margin Actual 12.1 Gross Margin Actual 9.1

kg/ha Plan 204.9 c/kg DM Plan 11.0 c/kg Potential DM Plan 8.0

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Soil moisture deficit

Elsthorpe

Maraetotora

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Stock reconciliation

31 Jul 31 Aug 30 Sep 31 Oct 30 Nov 31 Dec 31 Jan 28 Feb 31 Mar 30 Apr 31 May 30 Jun

Ewe Lamb 122 122 113 113 113 2088 2088 2230 2221 2287 1796 1790

Ewe Hogget 967 966 964 949 939 936 936 931 926 921 906

Ewe 5374 5329 5282 5094 5030 4245 4241 4227 4199 4167 4355 5231

Ram 71 71 71 69 68 67 67 66 65 64 63 62

Mixed Lamb 115 115 114 926 441 1575 1717 1754 1118 683 380 275

Mixed Hogget 104 81 81 61

Total Sheep 6753 6684 6625 7212 6591 8911 9049 9208 8529 8122 7500 7358

Heifer Calf 126 126

1-Year Heifer 130 130 130 129 129 129 129 129 129 129 11

2-Year Heifer

Cow 306 305 305 305 305 305 304 304 303 303 300 299

Bull Calf 313 313 312 311 332 331 330

1-Year Bull 228 268 268 268 268 268 268 80 80

2-Year Bull 37 37 42 42 42 42 42 36 36 36

Bull 8 5 5 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Steer Calf 126 126

1-Year Steer 37 37 37 36 36 36 36 36 36 36

2-Year Steer

Steer 51 72 51 51 51 39 34 34

Total Beef 569 586 570 799 839 1140 1134 1127 1091 1112 982 969

Hind Fawn 359 358 357 356

1-Year Hind 362 357 355 355 343 341 341 341 270 270 269 12

2-Year Hind 186 148 148 148 148 148 148 148

Hind 799 757 757 711 709 706 704 702 847 845 842 886

Stag Fawn 358 357 357 357

1-Year Stag 389 384 384 299 210 141 130 27 27 27

2-Year Stag 5 2 2 2 2 2

Stag 30 28 28 27 27 27 27 27 27 26 25 25

Total Deer 1771 1676 1674 1542 1439 1365 1350 1245 1888 1883 1850 1636

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Monitoring Checklist

New / Preliminary / Actual

Physical monitoring targets

10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 Target

Liveweights/condition

38 39.5 42.9 - 45

2th Mating Weight 52.5 53 49.8 62.9 65 4/02/2014

2th Mating C/S - - 2.8 3.75 4 4/02/2014

59.5 60.4 56.1 64 68 23/01/2014

Ewe Mating C/S - - 2.2 3.5 3.8 23/01/2014

- - 65.3 58

- 57 53 65.8 65

Ewe Weaning C/S - - 2 2.5 3.5

Pre wean lamb liveweight gain 224 238 247 305 260

Pre wean lamb liveweight gain on forage - - 337 294 300

Post wean lamb liveweight gain - - - 180

Post wean lamb liveweight gain on forage - - 129 220

Post wean lamb liveweight gain Clive Grange 144 183 130 150

Reproduction

1-Apr 1-Apr 29-Mar 25-Mar 1-Apr

36% 58% 30% 66%

121% 121% 136% 126% 170%

171% 161% 166% 133% 180%

157% 145% 166% 132% 180%

129% 122% 138% 103% 145%

- 36% -

109% 120% 124% 97% 140%

18.0% 16.0% 16.9% 21.0% 20.0%

15.5% 1.3% 9.6% 5.0% 2.5%

10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 Target

Liveweights/condition

MA Hind mating weight 110 111 103 115

MA Hind mating CS - - 2 4

R2 Hind mating weight - 83 78 84.9 90 30/01/2014

R2 Hind mating CS - - 2.8 3.7 4

R1 stag weight May 55 61 57 - 65

Average R1 stag growth (Spring Clive Grange) 183 198 190 260 300

Average pre wean growth 363 331 347 380

115 day weaning weight 51.6 47.9 49.7 55

Reproduction

Scanning % MA 84% 93% 72% 97%

Scanning % R2 53% 72% 57% 80%

Fawning% MA - 67% 78% 85%

Ram introduction date MA ewes

Hgt Lambing % at Wean

Ewe Lambing % at Wean

Lamb Losses to docking %

Lamb Losses to weaning %

Comercial Sheep Production

Ewe Lamb Mating Weight

Ewe Mating Weight

Two Tooth Weaning Weight

Ewe Weaning Weight

Deer Production

Scanning % Hgts

Scanning % 2ths

Scanning % MA Ewes

Scanning % All Ewes

Ewe Lambing % at Docking

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10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 Target

Average Bull Liveweight gain kg/day - - 0.44 0.80

Winter rotation length - - 42 42 84

Pregraze - 1st rotation length change late winter - - 1270 2300 2600

10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 Target

Liveweights/condition

MA Cow CS at mating - - 2.8 4 3.8

R2 Heifer mating weight - 364 371 380

R2 Heifer mating CS - - 3.8 4

Pre wean liveweight gain 1.05 0.96 1.01 1.05

Steer liveweight gain 0.6 0.87 0.7

- - 0.28 0.5

Reproduction

88 90 79 90%

90 81 90 90%

Calving % - Cow

Calving % - Heifer

Finishing heifer liveweight gain

Trading Bull Production

Breeding Cattle Production

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Fertility

Anawai soil fertility and economics summary

Range of soil types exist on the farm

Range of soil fertility exists across the farm and within each block

o Opportunity to further identify soil fertility using whole farm testing?

o Value in knowing fertility within each block

Current Soil fertility

Sample Test Physical pH Olsen P

Potassium Magnesium Sulphate S Calcium Sodium

Name Date Block

µg/mL Quick Test

Quick Test µg/g Quick Test

Quick Test

Front 11/10/2013 Maraetotara 6.36 13 8 23 12 13 4

Kingston Haybarn 11/10/2013 Elsthorpe Flats 5.67 11 5 21 9 8 10

KG Lake 11/10/2013 Elsthorpe Flats 6.17 37 11 55 9 24 10

Scrub Gully 11/10/2013 Elsthorpe Hills 5.62 13 12 58 6 13 8

Rosewood Cattle Yards

11/10/2013 Rosewood Flat 5.63 15 7 26 5 8 6

Tawa Basin 11/10/2013 Plantain 2 6.09 10 6 11 37 7 7

Windwhistle 11/10/2013 Maraetotara 5.99 42 7 17 9 8 5

Rosewood New Grass

11/10/2013 Rosewood Flat 5.81 11 5 34 13 12 10

Bypass 11/10/2013 Elsthorpe Hills 5.48 15 8 28 7 6 5

Te Apiti 11/10/2013 Maraetotara 6.11 25 7 19 12 10 6

Crossing 11/10/2013 Elsthorpe Hills 5.87 16 12 56 10 13 7

Limiting nutrients are P and S

Use of AgResearch Overseer and Econometric model indicate that capital applications of P are

economically justifiable on those areas that are below economic optimum.

S is a major limiting factor but deficiencies can be overcome with moderate inputs of sulphur

annually

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Lucerne Spring Performance Monitoring 2013

two mobs of multiple bearing ewes on both grass and lucerne have been monitored this

year to compare performances of lucerne and grass and to collect performance data for

future analysis. The results to date are outlined below:

Lucerne was stocked with ewes and lambs when covers reached 20cm on the 17th

of September.

Stocking rate was 53% higher on lucerne than grass (14.4 ewes/ha vs. 9.4 ewes/ha),

however 5 sire bulls were added to the grass area on the 15 Nov, and 16 R1 hinds

were also added from 15 Nov – 25 Nov to control quality.

Ewes on lucerne put on less in body weight and C.S. than the ewes on grass this

year. (+0.1kg vs +4.9 kg / +0.77 cs vs +1.1 cs respectively) Shearing also occurred

between weighing.

33% more production in the lucerne. Over the period from 17/09 to 12/12/13 lucerne

total kg of product grown was 506 kg/ha on Lucerne versus 381 kg/ha on grass

(grass had to be extrapolated back to 17/09 as they didn’t get weighed until 27/09).

Lamb growth rates through this period were good in both grass (282g/d) and

lucerne (245g/d) lambs. The grass lambs were well above the Anawai overall 3yr

average of 236g/d (246g/d whole farm average in 2012), whereas the Lucerne

lambs were slightly up over the 3yr average, and on par with 2012.

Lucerne Lambs received a 10 in 1 at docking (9/10/13)

KGProduct/Ha from 17/09 - 12/12

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Grass Lucerne

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Lucerne Grass control

Area 12.3 ha 5.6 ha

Date introduced

(20cm average height)

17-Sep

Stocking rate ewes/ha 14.4 9.4

Total ewes 178 53

Total lambs docked 295 88

Lambing percent 166% 166%

Ewe weight

17/09/2013 and 27/09/13 62.7 kg 62.9kg

12/12/2013 62.8kg 67.8kg

Difference 0.1 kg 4.9 kg

Ewe condition score

17/09/2013 and 27/09/13 3.2 3

12/12/2013 3.97 4.1

Difference '+0.77 '+1.1

Lamb weight

17/09/2013 and 27/09/13 9.6 kg 12.3kg

12/12/2013 30.7 kg 33.72 kg

Difference 21.1kg 21.42kg

Liveweight gain 245 g/d 282 g/d

Milk lambs were picked from male lambs +33kg

o Grass mob = 24/37 lambs available averaged 38kg = 65% milk lambs

o Lucerne mob = 53/159 lambs available averaged 36.7kg = 33.3% milk lambs

o 336 lambs were picked off all of the Lucerne = 56% milk lambs (included a lot

of singles in the non-monitor lucerne)

There were some issues, these included:

o Scold in the lambs

o Ewe losses - Clostridia disease? (Should the ewes have a 10 in 1)

o Bloat?

o Nitrate poisoning?

o High lamb losses

o Ruptured udders

o Thistles

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NEXT MEETING:

Public Field day 15th April 2014

Programme Sponsors

Thank you to Progressive Meats Ltd and Lean Meats Ltd for putting on the BBQ and catering

Health and Safety – The Owners have taken all reasonable care in making you visit to the property as

safe as possible. They clearly point out that you enter the property at your own risk. The Owners will

accept no responsibility for any incident or injury to any person or property that takes place while

you are visiting the property.

NOTE: B+LNZ requires all employees to wear helmets on quad bikes, we recommend that farmers

wear helmets too. Your decision to not wear a helmet is entirely your responsibility

Previous meeting handouts can be downloaded from the Anawai monitor farm website.

www.Anawaimonitorfarm.wordpress.com