Testimonials
No feed gaps, no stress
“It is a crucial part of our operation” he says. “There are many variables when it comes to growing crops, but as long as we have something decent in the ground, we’re confident in our feed supply”.
The McLennans milk 3,500 predominantly Jersey cows across five farms totalling 1,000 ha, consistently achieving an average of 450 kgMS/cow. Maize silage has been integrated into their system since 2008, following a land acquisition and strategic shift that enabled them to grow their own feed at scale.
This season, they planted approximately 110 ha ofVPMAXX® maize across the five properties.
“We use a lot of VP399 around Tokoroa, and more VP600 around Tirau” Ben says. “We’ve also planted VP321 for the first time this season”.
The McLennans have a firm grip on their farming operation, choosing to plant and harvest the maize crop themselves.
“We do test for metabolisable energy (ME) at harvest time, but more for our own interest” Ben says. “We are getting good ME from VP399: up to around 11.5 MJ ME/kg DM”.
Ben says they focus on the proper care of the substantial maize crop they grow.
“We are focused on minimising wastage, both on the farms with feedpads and those farms on which we feed in the paddock, and correct covering of the maize stacks”, he says.
On average, one tonne of dry matter per cow is fed on the feedpads of the three larger farms throughout the season, while on the two winter milking farms, a “huge amount” of maize silage is fed in the paddock.
“We also feed silage throughout spring, dialling it back in the month before Christmas to take advantage of the period when good pasture is growing prolifically” Ben says.
Ben says that, for him, the main purpose of maize silage is to serve as a feed buffer.
“We feed maize silage on a sliding scale” he says. “It is a cheaper source of feed, particularly when we are locked in with the likes of PKE and protein. If the cows are running short of feed, as they were during the drought last season, we can ramp up the maize silage”.
“Using maize silage is a system we’ve come to adopt; the cows are always in good nick”.
Ben says the support he receives from VPMAXX® Account Manager Alan McDougall is invaluable.
“Alan always answers his phone if we need him” he says. “We work well together”.