Good pasture growth just in time for calving

Marlborough dairy farmers are smiling as warm soil temperatures boost pasture growth as calving gets under way.

Havelock dairy farmer Tony Sorensen said the mild weather was good news for farmers.

"It's good for grass growth ... we could be in for an early spring."

Mr Sorensen had been recording soil temperatures of between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius, he said.

Soil temperatures of more than 12C were needed for top growth, but he was pleased with the temperatures for this time of year.

Feed was "a little tight" at the moment, but his 670 mainly jersey cows were in reasonable condition.

About 40 had already calved and were now milking, although calving did not officially start until Sunday.

Tripe family farm co-owner Simon Tripe said wet weather over the past couple of weeks had cost a couple of calves and negatively affected pasture growth.

However, he was also pleased by the soil temperatures on the family's Koromiko farm, with 13C measured on one afternoon this week.

The farm's 420 cows had produced 46 calves by Wednesday afternoon.

Pelorus dairy farmer Bruce Richmond said his pasture feed was also looking good.

"It's been reasonably mild, so we're getting a wee bit of growth."

Calving was going at breakneck pace, with about 80 calves already in from a 500-strong herd, despite calving only officially beginning on Wednesday, Mr Richmond said.

- The Marlborough Express

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