Outlook with Bill Webb Bill Webb Feed Solutions

The weather has certainly been challenging us. Farmers are probably laughing all the way to the bank – but maybe not after the forecasted drop in their payout.

They’re certainly growing some grass as moisture levels and grass growth rates are above normal for this time of year so there’s a lot of feed around, which is a Christmas bonus for them, plus silage is being made when we can get it done between the rain.

Maize in low-lying areas is looking awfully sick and yellow, due to too much rain and sitting in water with no air. It’s not like rice that you can grow in water.

It’s been pretty challenging for us growers with some germination being down, now low areas being water-logged. We’ve put extra nitrogen on our low-lying crops to hopefully help them bounce back when it dries out. We’ve finished spreading and weed spraying, now we just need some fine weather to get more hay done. We’ve just had the only four straight days of fine weather we’ve had in a while. So we’re hanging out for sunshine to get some work done before Christmas.

Grass growth

With this grass growth farmers need to ensure they keep on top of their residuals, as they won’t want to go into summer with residuals lying around – especially if there is moisture about with the eczema spores. So they need to monitor eczema spore levels very closely. Don’t let them get too high.

You can help residuals by topping or putting young stock on now to clear paddocks. Farmers will also need to spray their summer crops – they’re growing frantically, weeds included.

Turnip crops may need a second follow-up spray and an insecticide as well, to take care of white butterfly. Also keep monitoring crops for weeds – because if wet ideal growing continues on their winter crops, a third spray may be required.

Looking back on 2018, it’s been challenging once again. The All Blacks’ loss to Ireland shows us we aren’t invincible and we have to continue to work hard at our game plan as our strategies don’t change – but our tactics may have to, to achieve our goals.

Losing can be a good thing sometimes as it makes us reflect on what we’re doing – the same applies to our businesses. There’s nothing like experiencing a setback to make us more focused and keep our eye back on the ball. This time of the year can be a good time to assess our own game plans and goals to ensure we’re on track.

Then there was the outbreak of Mycoplasma Bovis, which has got the whole industry and country on high alert as the cost to farmers and the country as a whole is huge.

But fortunately so far we haven’t got it in the Bay of Plenty, so let’s hope this continues. We all need to do our bit to keep it out! If it was to get in the BOP it would be a game-changer for all concerned from farmers to businesses associated within the rural industry. So let’s do our part to keep our farms free from unwanted diseases and pest and stay vigilant and focused on our future – for ourselves and our future generations.

On a brighter note this spring was a lot kinder to us weather-wise after such a wet winter. It was good to have a relatively dry September-October so all our maize is planted, sprayed and side-dressed, which is a lot earlier than usual.

With recent rain it is all looking good, other than some of our maize affected by low germination which has affected a few crops in the area.

The payout

Fortunately, it seems to be only our early-planted maize and not all of it, so hopefully our yields won’t be too badly affected.

With the higher-than-expected milk-take unfortunately putting pressure on the payout, let’s hope it remains above the $6 mark and that the Dairy Global Actions start improving this year.

I’ve heard of other countries dropping back production, so that might help with our higher yields. Hopefully our farmers get the returns from this extra milk they’re producing and come out alright at the end of the day.

We have some top quality grass silage and a bit of maize silage available but supply is limited. We’re taking orders now for hay and straw for this season – so order now to save money by purchasing direct from the paddock. Doing this is the most cost-effective way to get your feed requirements filled. Happy New Year, from the team at Bill Webb Feed Solutions.