Fernside dairy farmer Julie Bradshaw with Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) general manager of New Zealand markets Malcolm Ellis and one of her cows whose offspring was considered for LIC’s Sire Proving Scheme (SPS) breeding programme.

Fernside dairy farmer Julie Bradshaw says being involved in Livestock Improvement Corporation’s (LIC’s) Sire Proving Scheme (SPS) for over 20 years has shown her how quality animal data is key to improving the efficiency of her farming operation.

Julie is participating in a farming innovation project which examines how the next generation of farmers are using innovation to improve their farming practices. Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

Alongside the SPS participation, Julie decided to DNA parentage test her entire herd when the technology became available in 2007 and says the test (which uses DNA to match an animal to its parents) has removed the stress from calving season while helping to identify which animals have the best genetic profile for breeding.

“We were asked to join LIC’s Sire Proving Scheme and it’s one of the best decisions we ever made. Making the commitment to DNA test has been of huge benefit as it shows exactly what you have in your herd.

“When it comes time for calving, you’re not running around trying to match all the calves to their dam because you already have your data.”

This season, Julie is focusing on fine-tuning her herd while aiming to achieve the same amount of milk production.

“We went through the herd and looked at the top producing cows. We’ve made sure that these have been properly mated using AI (artificial insemination) to get the most genetic gains through targeting replacements from the higher rated cows.

“Using herd test data and genetic merit analysis we can determine which animals are the most efficient and focus our efforts on these cows. There is no doubt that we will have to reduce our cow numbers and science can help us make the best decisions for the future of our farm.”

LIC general manager of New Zealand markets Malcolm Ellis says that following on from the significant period of cow growth and the eventual cow peak in 2015, the focus is now on the productive efficiency of the individual cow.

“There can be a significant range in productivity within a herd. The difference between good and average cows in any herd is often quite extreme. It isn’t unusual to have a herd that is doing 400 to 450 kilograms of milk solids per cow and having a range in productivity of 160 to 200 kilograms between the top and bottom quartile groups.

“It does provide a significant opportunity to target the top performing cows while not breeding from the poorer quality cows in order to accelerate the rate of genetic gain.”

Malcolm says it’s important for the dairy sector to own the fact that farmers will be milking less cows in the future.

“I don’t think that we should fight this. I see it as an opportunity to embrace and celebrate our best cows and to have more of them.”

The calibre of Julie’s herd was recognised this season, with one of her bull calves being considered for LIC’s Sire Proving Scheme. Although it didn’t make the final cut (only 250 bull calves from across New Zealand are selected each year), Julie was proud to have an animal in the running.

“It has been quite exciting as it’s the first time for us to have one of our animals considered in 25 years of dairy farming.”

Julie says data from genetics helps her make informed decisions which are essential for a successful farming business, especially in the current climate.

“The more information you can gather, the better the decision-making process will be. We can use technology to improve our efficiency and reduce our impact on the environment.

“As a farmer you’ve got to be efficient. This is the way that the world wants us to be and if you are going to future-proof your business you need the data to prove that you are minimising your impact on the planet.”

Cust farmer Roscoe Taggart hopes to prove the benefits of using sensor-based nitrogen application on his farm as part of his drive to use more precision agriculture technology in his operation.

Last year, Cust farmer Roscoe Taggart was one of two New Zealand farmers selected to trial a Yara N sensor on his family’s 730 hectare arable and sheep farm. He saved a significant amount of nitrogen fertiliser and plans to quantify the environmental and economic benefits of using the sensors during the current season.

Roscoe is participating in a project  which examines how the next generation of farmers are using innovation to improve their farming practices. Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

With a less than ideal harvest season last year due to inclement weather, Roscoe is hoping a more normal weather pattern this year will provide him with the data to show that the N sensor is having a positive impact on his farming operation.

“Due to the heavy rain last year, we couldn’t truth our findings, but we did use significantly less fertiliser and we got comparable yields to other farmers.

“Hopefully, this season will be the determining one in terms of getting solid data. With the cost of diesel and fertiliser skyrocketing and interest rates going up too, everywhere that you can save while being more efficient on your farm is a bonus.”

The N-sensor is fitted to the roof of Roscoe’s tractor and allows him to measure the precise amount of nitrogen required for each area of crops in a paddock. As the fertiliser spreader moves through the paddock it varies the fertiliser application rate according to the data that the N-sensor receives.

The amount of nitrogen is determined by measuring the crop’s light reflectance. Measurements are taken every second at specific wave bands which reflect the crop’s biomass and chlorophyll content. The system then calculates the crop’s nitrogen uptake which enables the correct amount of fertiliser to be applied directly to the plant.

Roscoe says that while the technology used by the N-sensor is complex, the actual operation couldn’t be any easier.

“It is extremely easy to use. You just hop in the tractor and the sensor does all the work for you. It is all algorithm-based and we don’t need to have any further input from our end.

“That’s the key to anything like this really. It must be simple or else it will be put in the too hard basket.”

Roscoe views precision agriculture as a way of contributing to the legacy of his family’s farm which has been handed down over three generations.

“I got into precision agriculture as a way of making my mark on the farm. Grandad bought the farm; Dad irrigated the farm and for me it was precision agriculture that caught my attention.

“Technology is allowing us to try new ways of farming that previous generations haven’t had the opportunity to do. The way technology is moving if we give it five years, I think it will be a whole different picture in terms of how we are using it to solve all sorts of farming challenges.”

Cust dairy grazers Gary and Penny Robinson will collect data from their North Canterbury trial block and from a new subsurface irrigation system they installed in Central Otago to prove the benefits of underground irrigation.

Cust dairy grazers Gary and Penny Robinson are anticipating a season of “data collection” after installing a subsurface drip irrigation system on an 18-hectare block of land which is part of a 260-hectare farm in Maniototo, Central Otago. They aim to collect data from both this block and their trial site in Cust to analyse the benefits of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI).

Gary and Penny are participating in a project which examines how the next generation of farmers are using innovation to improve their farming practices. Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

After a wet summer last year scuppered plans to collect data from their trial block, the couple were delighted when their partner Carrfields approached them for an installation opportunity in Maniototo. Gary says the site is an ideal location for installing subsurface drip irrigation.

“Part of it is a corner of a pivot on existing grass and the rest is worked up land. It contains two different soil types so it will be interesting to compare how the SDI performs on those soil types and then we can also compare that to our trial block in Cust. It goes dry down there in Central Otago, so we are hoping to fetch some good data.”

During the installation process several neighbouring farmers visited the Maniototo site to learn more about subsurface drip irrigation. They expressed interest in trialling the system if the data gathered from the system proves the benefits.

With less water potentially available for irrigation in the future and stricter regulations regarding nitrogen run off into streams and rivers being introduced, Penny says the economic and environmental benefits of subsurface drip irrigation are clear.

“SDI provides water directly to the root zone, so you use less water more efficiently when compared to a traditional irrigation system. There is zero leaching of nitrates as you don’t apply a lot of water because you are not saturating the soil from the top down but slowly and steadily from the roots of the plant.”

Measuring the quality of the yield of the crop or pasture produced using subsurface drip irrigation is also an important aspect of data gathering. Penny describes how they will work with project partners Carrfields and Ballance at their trial block to measure pasture yield and quality.

“We will mow patches of pasture on our trial block where the SDI is installed and weigh it to get an indication of how many kilos of dry matter per kilo we have per hectare and then compare this to the same pasture in an area where SDI is not installed.

“Obviously, we want increased yield but not increased yield of poor pasture. We are looking for increased yield of high ME (metabolisable energy) pasture.”

Gary and Penny were finalists in the recent Irrigation New Zealand Innovation in Irrigation Award. While they didn’t win the award, being able to network with people and organisations with a keen interest in new types of technology was important for creating new connections.

Farm environmental consultant Rebecca Hyde nominated Gary and Penny for the award as she could see the benefits of providing farmers with efficient irrigation from her work with North Canterbury farmers.

“I know Gary and Penny personally, so I have seen their journey with subsurface drip irrigation progress right from the beginning. I have seen the need for farmers to use less water more efficiently as some landowners are now seeing a decrease in the amount of water they can use on farm.

“In the corners of pivots, traditional sprinklers and K-line irrigation will struggle whereas SDI is perfect for these areas.

“I can also see the benefits of using SDI in urban settings like parks and golf clubs where we now have to be more aware of the amount of water we are using and try to get it in the right place at the right time.”

Penny and Gary will host a field day at their trial block in February for local farmers and industry partners to learn more about subsurface drip irrigation.

“It will be a good opportunity to see the system in action and we should have some data to present by then. We are looking forward to being able to showcase what we believe will be the future of irrigation in New Zealand.”

A passion for genetics has paid off for Fernside farmer Julie Bradshaw after four of her cows
were selected for Livestock Improvement Corporation’s (LIC’s) breeding programme.

A strong focus on genetics and DNA has paid dividends for Fernside dairy farmer Julie Bradshaw with
four of her cows being selected for Livestock Improvement Corporation’s (LIC’s) breeding
programme.
Julie is participating in a farming innovation project, which examines how the next generation of
farmers are using innovative approaches to improve their farming practices. Waimakariri Landcare
Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary
Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund
along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.
The four cows have been selected for the breeding profile based on their DNA profiles. In the next
mating season these cows will be mated to bulls specifically selected by LIC for genetic traits which
will complement cows’ traits. The aim is to improve the overall genetic profile of the herd.
“LIC have looked at their mothers and analysed their production during the selection process. Once
they have calved if it is a bull calf then they will genetically test it to determine if it meets the criteria
for LIC’s breeding programme.
“DNA testing the calves shows which genes it has inherited from its parents and then they can
analyse how well it will perform in the future.”
Over the last 20 years since Julie first became interested in genetics, technology has become far
more precise than when she did the first DNA tests on her herd, and this is providing economic
benefits to her farming operation.
“The rate of change with science and technology is amazing. DNA testing is a vital part of our farming
operation now and I am glad we started when we did because it has enabled us to have the best
herd we can which is based on science and facts.
“With possible reductions in animal numbers in the future you want to be as accurate as possible. If
you are relying on your own calving records, they are generally only about 65 to 70 per cent accurate
compared to DNA testing. Calving data is never perfect because you are under a lot of stress when
you are calving.
“If you use your own records, you are keeping animals that you think are going to be great, when
you haven’t got the animal you think you have in terms of its value to the herd. DNA testing sorts
out your mistakes and you avoid spending time and money on a calf that is not going to produce
anything once it joins the milking herd.”
Julie’s Production Worth (PW) and Breeding Worth (BW) herd sit in the top five per cent of
Canterbury herds and just under the top five per cent of all herds nationally which she says proves
that her investment in genetics has enabled her to refine her herd to ensure that she has the best
cows.

“Working with LIC over the last 20 years has really paid off for us. We have all our DNA data for the
herd, and it really is the best it has ever been. You know that you are on the right track, and we are
passionate about the future of genetics for farming in New Zealand.”

Cust farmer Roscoe Taggart is using a handheld nitrogen tester in conjunction with nitrogen sensors to apply the right amount of fertiliser which results in cost savings and environmental benefits.

Investing in a handheld nitrogen tester and using variable rate nitrogen fertiliser has enabled Cust farmer Roscoe Taggart to significantly reduce the amount of fertiliser he applies to his family’s 730-hectare arable and sheep operation which has resulted in cost savings and environmental benefits.

Roscoe is participating in a farming innovation project, which examines how the next generation of farmers are using innovative approaches to improve their farming practices. Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

Roscoe says the cost savings of applying variable rate nitrogen fertiliser compared to a traditional blanket approach are “astronomical”. He grid-sampled his paddocks and then determined the exact amount fertiliser required for each block via nitrogen sensors attached to the roof of his tractor.

“We have spread triple super for our phosphate and potash for our potassium as our base fertiliser. Where in the past we would have gone with a blanket approach we have been able to save a huge amount on fert this season by using variable rate.

“I think it’s incredibly worthwhile to invest in variable rate technology and it feels wrong now to put a blanket application across a paddock when I know how much variability there is within a single paddock.”

Roscoe has gone a step further to hone his precision techniques when applying fertiliser by purchasing a handheld nitrogen tester which he can use to fine tune applications throughout the growing season. Within ten minutes of the test, the nitrogen level of the plant is provided, and Roscoe and his team can then put this figure into the N sensor which then provides a starting point for the variable rate spreading of nitrogen.

“I have just purchased a Yara N-Tester which we will use to test rye grass, cereals, and brassicas to make sure we have the correct levels of nitrates. It is simple to use and allows us to find out what the N levels are and to see if we need to apply a little bit more or a bit less fertiliser.

“Hopefully, in combination with the N sensors on the tractor we will be able to be even more precise in how we do things. When it comes to managing the cost of inputs, I really believe that precision technology will help us to stay viable when looking ahead with rising costs and increasing environmental regulation.

“Anything that enables us to do more with less is better for our bottom line and for the environment.”

Crop sampling with the hand-held nitrogen tester will start in late August or early September and Roscoe says this will help to determine which elements are required by the plants, while avoiding a blanket application approach.

“We will get a good idea of where the crops are sitting early in the season and if there is anything missing, we can address that early on.”

This season Roscoe will continue with the same crops; however, he is considering trialling a regen paddock and comparing this to a conventional farming paddock to work out if there is a financial benefit to this type of farming.

“I want to have the two paddocks side by side and do a gross margin on both, so I have real data to show how they compare. I am a huge fan of on-farm comparisons and giving things a go because until you try something you never truly know if it works.”