Hi,
Welcome to the ninth edition of the Wingman NOTAM!
I hope this finds you well and having made it through dry-off and the start of Winter relatively ok. Most parts of the country were blessed with favourable conditions to dry cows off, although the fine, frosty weather and lack of Autumn flush hasn’t done a great deal for pasture covers. It’s hard to know what to wish for in the next 2 months – moisture for growth, or dryness for utilisation?
Rural support through the winter months
On a similar note, I’d like to acknowledge that the mental gymnastics associated with Winter management can be all-consuming, sometimes even soul-destroying when you see animals making a mess of the break you put them on only 2 hours ago! If you feel under pressure and things are getting on top of you, then please pick up the phone and ring someone. It doesn’t matter who; just reach out and make the call. In the words of Rural Support Trust – “You are rural support. We are rural support.”
Wingman’s latest article: A look into the Crossbreed Cow
We’ve just published another article (The Crossbreed Cow – New Zealand’s Cow?) which looks at the origins of the XB cow, and asks farmers to think about WHY they’re milking XB animals. Is it their LWT that fits your farm/farm system? Is it their BW? Is it because of superior heterosis/hybrid vigour? Or is it something completely different? The purists probably throw their hands up in the air at the mere mention of XB animals, but it’s hard to ignore their attraction and suitability for a large chunk of Kiwi farmers.
Planning for mating? Get in touch now
If you’re coming back for a second year of Wingman, or joining us for the first time, then please be proactive and get in touch with us; the sooner we start the process the sooner we can get your bull team together. At the end of September, some bulls stop being collected for frozen semen as they transition over to fresh collections for the start of AB. Our ability to work miracles is fairly limited the closer to 30th September we get, and we’d rather avoid the possibility of having to select a ‘C-team’ of bulls for you!
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with either Abby or myself if there’s something you’d like our help with, or if you’d like to book in a WOF or Future Herd Audit.
Mark: 027 270 2403 or mark@yourwingman.co.nz
Abby: 027 946 4626 or abby@yourwingman.co.nz
All the best for calving,
Mark and Louise Benns, and Abby Ross