El Niño forecast: New Zealand farmers are advised to plan fertilizer and feed

Tom Orchiston, environmental projects manager at Beef + Lamb New Zealand, notes that farmers are eager to take advantage of early spring soil moisture for crop establishment, but risks must be considered. A winter grazing plan helps in managing forage crops. Before sowing, it is important to assess soil type, slope, proximity to waterways, covers, and feed reserves, as well as to apply minimum tillage methods to reduce precipitation losses.

For winter livestock grazing, it is recommended to enter into contracts with clear expectations regarding animal health and environmental standards. The past winter grazing season should be reviewed to improve future practices. At a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand workshop, Allister Moorhead from Agricom advised applying short-term measures, including strategic nitrogen to stimulate early pasture growth during periods of rising soil temperature, as well as summer forage crops.

According to Allister Moorhead, creating spring feed surpluses aids in lactation, weaning growth rates of young livestock, and allows for timely sowing of summer crops. Additional tools under El Niño conditions include destocking and using older pastures as feed pads. Using summer crops for finishing lambs instead of feeding ewes prior to mating can reduce reproductive performance the following year.

Brent Mountfort, Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president, reported that farmers are aware of the drought, are culling surplus livestock, and are checking water supplies. Given the cost of fertilizers, their application is more selective. In the Matata hills, the soil constantly requires sulfur and potassium. Don Stobie, Waikato Federated Farmers arable chairman, noted that during this period it is important to plan sowings and book contractors. The most popular summer crops among Waikato dairy farmers remain maize, turnips, chicory, and kale, while the past winter was favorable for the region.