THE next fortnight is crucial to Victoria's dairy farmers for feed, pasture management and planning summer crops as they try to maintain production.
Northern Victoria and Gippsland are suffering the effects of another dry season.
Gippsland farm consultant John Gallienne said pasture growth in south and west Gippsland was 60 per cent of the usual rate at this time of year.
"This means silage crop yields are down that much as well," Mr Gallienne said.
"I don't know anyone with a second cut of silage.
"Most also reduced their fertiliser use because of the cost, which has also affected growth.
"People need to be careful that if they are keeping paddocks closed for silage, they don't under feed their cows."
Mr Gallienne said most grass was at its maturity stage, developing seed heads, which was unusual for this time of year.
"Paddock rotations are eight to 10 days longer than usual," he said.
"Traditionally, this week is the time for peak growth rate, but it's not happening."
Mr Gallienne has recommended Gippsland farmers grow millet because it requires less water and is less susceptible to insects.
"The next source of fodder will probably be hay from northern areas.
"Some are thinking about buying feed and they need to make decisions this week."
Murray Dairy chairman Jeff Odgers said northern Victorian farmers were better placed with more home-grown feed conserved this year than last year.
"Quite a few watered last autumn and grew some annuals with the idea to grow silage," Mr Odgers said.
"Most still have some paddock feed and the grass has held on well for those who watered in autumn.
"Most farmers are taking a more considered approach to buying cereal hay.
"The intention is to buy on an as-needs basis during the season."
Mr Odgers said some farmers were buying temporary water to keep pasture going and to grow enough fodder to keep green feed in the diet.
"But generally speaking they are more likely to go out and buy cereal hay," he said.
"Grain prices are easing so the intention is also there to put more concentrates in the diet than last season."
Department of Primary Industries Warrnambool dairy extension officer Michele Ryan said farmers in southwest Victoria needed to keep an eye on their grazing management to sustain peak production.
The appearance of seed heads in pasture had a big impact on dropping milk yields, she said.
"The energy content of pasture that has run up to seed is less than that of leafy vegetative pasture," she said.
"A cow that eats 15kg of pasture that has gone to seed has less energy in her diet than a cow that eats 15kg of leafy vegetative pasture. The result is less milk production.
"Minimising this drop in pasture quality is one of the keys to spring production.
"Pasture that has gone to seed can contain 40 per cent less energy than leafy pasture."
Ms Ryan said the trick to control seed heads was to graze pasture before the stem matured to any great degree.
"By the two-leaf stage, the quality of seeding ryegrass pasture will drop about 5 per cent," she said.
"So grazing at the two-leaf stage will greatly assist with maintaining milk production - a 16-day rotation is a ballpark figure."
