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Farmer case study: Ian and Karen Litchfield ‘Kariana’, Mayrung (southern Riverina)

Farmer case study: Ian and Karen Litchfield ‘Kariana’, Mayrung (southern Riverina). X. Our farm. Our farm business: 400 hectares (37% dry / 63% irrigated) 470 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows Milk twice per day Avg. production: 10,000 litres/cow Have limited paddock shade Use irrigation

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Farmer case study: Ian and Karen Litchfield ‘Kariana’, Mayrung (southern Riverina)

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  1. Farmer case study:Ian and Karen Litchfield‘Kariana’, Mayrung (southern Riverina) X Our farm

  2. Our farm business: 400 hectares (37% dry / 63% irrigated) 470 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows Milk twice per day Avg. production: 10,000 litres/cow Have limited paddock shade Use irrigation Ongoing drought and hotter temperatures have prompted us to change to a more flexible feeding system, which is less reliant on pasture and gives us more control over heat stress

  3. Temp. Humidity Index (THI) Heat stress risk level: Heat load: Impact: Big losses in milk Severe heat stress +/- dead cows Severe (THI 82+) High (THI 78) Milk production declines Moderate (THI 75) Cows begin to experience heat stress In-calf rates drop

  4. Temp. Humidity Index: Deniliquin 2009-10 Our cows are highly susceptible to heat stress (large Holstein-Friesians, high milk production) We estimated that heat stress was costing us > 200 litres lost milk production/cow/year plus additional losses a.w cow fertility and health (= approx. $75,000 / year)

  5. Aust. dairy farmers use a diverse range of feeding systems

  6. These are classified into 5 main feeding systems. We now use system 4 (Hybrid) 5 Feeding Systems 1. Low bail (Grazed pasture + other forages + up to 1.0 tn grain / conc. in bail) 2. Mod.- High bail (Grazed pasture + other forages + > 1.0 tn grain / conc. in bail) 3. PMR (Grazed pasture for most or all of year + PMR on feed pad +/- grain / conc. in bail) 4. Hybrid (Grazed pasture over cooler months + PMR on feed pad +/- grain / conc. in bail over hot months) 5. TMR (Zero grazing. Cows housed and fed TMR)

  7. We are part of a shift in recent years in Nth Vic. & Sth. Riv. from feeding systems 1 & 2 towards 3 & 4 Our cows are fed pasture plus supplements from April to Oct., and a mixed ration from Nov. to March Region by Feeding system (Dairy Australia Nat. Dairy Farmer Survey, 2010)

  8. Feedpad 1 Shade shed - Single pitch roof, North-South - Provides 4m² shade/cow Water troughs Raised earthen loafing area Feed troughs Central drive alley between two feedpads

  9. Feedpad 2 Cows utilising shade as sun moves across

  10. Compacted clay surface 5% slope to enhance drainage Manure is scraped from heavily trafficked areas weekly

  11. Roof is designed to withstand high winds Rainfall on roof is directed into recycle system Concrete footings protect steel from contact with manure

  12. We also help cows manage their heat load at the milking shed: • Wet down concrete before cows enter yard • Sprinkle cows while waiting in yard • Fans in shed to promote air flow

  13. Temp. Humidity Index: Deniliquin 2009-10 We estimate that our $120,000 investment in cooling infrastructure provides us with greater control over milk production during extended hot weather, and saves us approx. $33,000 to $40,000 / year

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