HLLS Dairy Updates February No 3: Grain quality & meaning for milk and beef production. Dr Neil Moss

Exceptionally wet summer and grain harvest conditions across northern NSW have presented several challenges for coast dairies to consider: Lowered pasture and grain quality, lowered nitrogen reserves but great conditions for sowing winter pastures. Nitrogen fertiliser and other input prices remain high, but terms of trade are favourable it is important to relook at the figures and decide wisely. Wet harvest conditions have led to a high proportion of weather damaged grain. This reduces grain weight and quality and will impact the cows response to grain. Neil outlines the why and what to look for in grain supplies. An important consideration for some time as supplies come to the dairy. Thanks to presenters Dr Neil Moss - Scibus Neil Moss, [email protected] Mr Josh Hack – Ag Farming Systems, [email protected] Peter Smith – Sapphire Irrigation, [email protected] Kyle Roper – Farmer Warehouse, [email protected] And collaboration of Dairy NSW with Johnathon Price. [email protected] Organised by Peter Beale, Hunter Local Land Services on 15th February 2022