Bill Webb is set to make a couple thousand bales of silage in the next week or two to meet a feed shortage.

Bill Webb Feed Solutions has been 'cleaned out” of feed as farmers head into the second round of grazing says Bill.

'The weather has been far better for farmers this winter; the cold snaps have been good for drying the ground out, but they're all looking forward to a bit of rain now believe it or not.

'The grass growth has slowed down and farmers are starting to get short of feed again.”

Previous to the cold snap the pasture was pretty lush, but grass is not growing that fast and people will be getting themselves into a feed shortage if they're not careful says Bill. 'There is still a few farmers we supply maize to that have still got a bit left and are feeding it out and are very grateful of it.

'Some others have just finished and wish they had another couple of week's worth.”

That's the importance of having the balance right and having the right amount of feed says Bill – otherwise you pay a premium price for feed – or can't get your hands on it.

'Get your orders in early and then you pay less for it – and sure; it might be sitting there, but at least you know it's there. It's peace of mind and security – it's like having money in the bank really, having a few bales sitting around you can draw on when you need to.”

Bill says a good option is to buy in extra maize silage in the Autumn so there is a stack for the spring.

'Farmers have a stack to feed straight away to feed to the milkers and put the condition on and then a separate stack shut up for the spring that they can feed out if they get a shortage in the spring. 'Which inevitably you do in the second round; it's just about guaranteed that you're going to run out of feed somewhere.”

It's important to have plenty of high energy feed on hand leading into mating.

'We keep harping on about feed, but it's inevitable.”

Bill says there going to be a bit of a pinch for farmers waiting for him to make his silage.

'It will be good leafy rye grass silage – it will be high energy and high digestibility. Early silage is normally you're best silage.

Bill still has some equipment to sell; a couple of tractors, round baler and wrapper and two forage harvesters – one of them will go with work to the right person; about 300ha of maize to harvest.

Bill Webb Feed Solution and Bradstreet contracting are based together at the site in Paengaroa, Te Puke. Bill says Bradstreet Contracting have already started work.

'They've done some silage, cultivation work and re-grassing so they're off to a good start and raring to go.”