Dairy News Australia - January 2020

IDW SPECIAL EDITION Tatura Park, Tatura, Victoria January 19 – January 23, 2020 JANUARY, 2020 ISSUE 111 // www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au

HEIDI DOES DAIRY WEEK DECADE Brown Swiss Tandara Etvei Heidi will enter the show ring for the 10th time in 2020, see page 5

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

IDW PREVIEW // 3

IDW program SUNDAY, January 19 9.30 am Non-Denominational Church Service and Morning Tea — Blackmore and Leslie Complex Noon Holstein Australia Victoria Youth Challenge Trials — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 3pm VASA State Junior Judging Final — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 6pm Welcome to IDW barbecue — Wilson Hall

MONDAY, January 20 Tatura will again be in the spotlight as 800 cows and 175 exhibitors head to International Dairy Week for a chance to bring home one of the much sought after and highly contested blue ribbons.

Doing it for the kids. PG.6

IDW PREVIEW

Emotional journey to show ring. PG.16

Clydevale teams a family affair. PG.20

Jerseys rich in family heritage. PG.22

SITE MAPS �������������������������������������������������� 4 IDW NEWS �������������������������������������������5 – 27 IDW JUDGES ������������������������������������������������7

Cows will be primped, preened and polished to perfection as they vie for the top spot at this year’s International Dairy Week.

Dairy week is the largest cattle show in the country and showcases the best of the best Australia has to offer across Jersey, Holstein, Illawarra, Guernsey, Ayrshire and Brown Swiss.

Tough times in the industry may have continued into 2020 but organisers are expecting another great year with entries up on last year and sitting around 800 head across 175 exhibitors.

A highlight of this year’s show will be the return of the Ayrshire World Dairy Conference to Australia, and to IDW for the very first time.

Ayrshire exhibitors have come out in force to support the conference with a strong 175 entries across all classes.

Other highlights of the week include the return of Ben Govett’s Brown Swiss Tandara Etvei Heidi, who will walk out into the show ring incredibly for the 10th time, a new format for the Power of Women in Dairy function and of course the many incredible cows and judges who will walk the ring for the four days of the show.

Organiser Robyn Barber said IDW always provides a reprieve for dairy farmers — both exhibitors and visitors.

“During tough times it is important to get off the farm and we encourage anyone involved in the dairy industry to come along and join us, even if it is just for one day,” Robyn said.

Robyn said the schedule is jam packed with all the usual attractions including a very strong youth show with 215 entries.

“IDW is not just about rewarding success in breeding it is also about giving people in the industry a chance to think about things other than their day-to-day life on the farm.

“It is always a really great week and we look forward to seeing what 2020 has in store,” she said.

8 am

ABS Australia/Ridley All Breeds National Youth Show — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 9.30am IDW Seminars — The Ballantyne Complex 3pm The IDW Youth Showmanship Classes — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 5 pm Power of Women in Dairying (POW) Function — Wilson Hall

TUESDAY, January 21 8am

Australia’s National Ayrshire Show Feature Show 2020 — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 9.30am IDW Seminars — The Ballantyne Complex 3pm National Illawarra Show — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 3pm National Brown Swiss Show — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 6pm IDW World Conference Ayrshire Sale — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 6.30 pm IDW National Herd Improvement Association Dinner — Cellar 47, Shepparton 8pm IDW Global Impact Supremacy Jersey Sale — Blackmore and Leslie Complex

WEDNESDAY, January 22 8am 8.30 am 9.30 am 11.30 am 1pm 7.30 pm

National Guernsey Show — Blackmore and Leslie Complex National Jersey Show — Blackmore and Leslie Complex IDW Seminars — The Ballantyne Complex IDW Elite Guernsey Sale — Blackmore and Leslie Complex National Jersey Show Continues — Blackmore and Leslie Complex IDW World Wide Sires Evolution Sale — Blackmore and Leslie Complex

THURSDAY, January 23 8am

National Holstein Show — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 8am Dairy Industry Leaders Breakfast — The Ballantyne Complex 11.30 am IDW Interbreed Junior Champion Presentation — Blackmore and Leslie Complex Noon The MaxCare Challenge — Blackmore and Leslie Complex 1pm National Holstein Show continues — Blackmore and Leslie Complex

FEATURES ���������������������������������������� 21 – 23 MACHINERY ����������������������������������� 28 – 30

Advertising Max Hyde 0408 558 938 max.hyde@dairynewsaustralia.com.au Editor Geoff Adams (03) 5820 3229 editor@dairynewsaustralia.com.au Dairy News Australia is published by Shepparton Newspapers Pty Ltd. All editorial copy and photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher.

Opinions or comments expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the staff, management or directors of Shepparton Newspapers Pty Ltd.

Regional editor news@dairynewsaustralia.com.au

Publisher Shepparton Newspapers Pty Ltd Printed by Newsprinters Pty Ltd Head Office 7940 Goulburn Valley Highway Shepparton, VIC 3630 Phone (03) 5831 2312 Postal address PO Box 204 Shepparton, Victoria 3632 Australia

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Dairy News Australia welcomes contributions from stakeholders in the dairy industry, and particularly from organisations wishing to advance the industry.

Contributions and photos can be sent to: editor@dairynewsaustralia.com.au Letters to the editor on topical issues are also welcome.

Letters should be concise and carry the name and town address of the author, as well as a contact phone number, not for publication.

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

4 //  IDW SITE MAP IDW DAIRY PRODUCTS & SERVICE COMPANIES SITE MAP - Tatura Park, Tatura Lely Lely Australia

EXIT

US Livestock Genetics

EXIT

Murray Dairy

Ridley

Daviesway & CRT

Dairy The Livestock Aust DLS Services

& IDW

Reid Jersey Stock Dairy Australia feeds farmer

Holstein Australia

Eagle Direct

EXIT

Semex

ABS Australia

NAB

EXIT

IDW Judging Arena

World Wide Sires

CATTLE

IPS

MaxCare

TLG

Hays Genetics Megalac

STgenetics StGenetics

Tatura Milk

Allflex

AgriGene Nutrilink Nutri

link Solutions

Easy Dairy

EXIT

Yarraweyah Eng EXIT

JEFO

PAVILION

Aust Ayrshire Assoc

DeLaval

SEATING

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EXIT Son ICU Rugs Flow

Coffee Van

ProviCo

Genetics Australia

Valton Feeding Solutions

Top Con Ag

Farm Tech Machiney

Shamrock Farm Enterprises

BKT Tires

Wilson Hall Ruakura Vertex Maintenance Products The Cattle Shop Cullen Marketing Boltons Hoof Trimming WWS Sale Cattle Global Impact Sale Cattle

Genetics

Animal Health & Products

Dairy Equipment & Machinery

Other

Semex

Allflex

Lely Australia

NAB

ABS Australia

Nutrilink Solutions

Easy Dairy

Tatura Milk

World Wide Sires

Ridley

Allflex

Australian Ayrshire Assoc

International Protein Sires

Daviesway

Yarraweyah Engineering

Murray Dairy

Total Livestock Genetics

CRT

Eagle Direct

Dairy Livestock Services

STgenetics

Reid Stockfeeds

DeLaval

The Australian Dairyfarmer

AgriGene

MaxCare

Valton Feeding Solutions

Jersey Australia

Genetics Australia

Hays Genetics

Farm Tech Machinery

Holstein Australia

US Livestock Genetics Export

Megalac

Shamrock Farm Enterprises

Cullen Marketing

ProviCo

BKT Tires

Nutrien Ag Solutions

JEFO

Vertex Maintenance Products

Ruakura

The Cattle Shop

ICU Small Animal Rugs

SonFlow

TopCon Agriculture

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

IDW PREVIEW // 5

Super dairy cow set for decade milestone THERE WOULDN’T be too many cows in

the show ring that can lay claim to attending an annual event multiple times but come this January, Tandara Etvei Heidi will walk out into the International Dairy Week show ring incredibly for her 10th time.

The 11-year old Brown Swiss calved in autumn and is looking pretty good, according to her owner Ben Govett.

Ben describes her as a super dairy cow, trouble free with a pretty good udder.

“She is not the easiest cow to work with but she is looking good for her age so I thought I would give her a run again this year,” Ben said.

Heidi didn’t make the cut in last year’s more youthful team.

In her nine previous shows, she has never placed lower than second in her class and she has gone on to win reserve intermediate champion, reserve champion and best udder of show.

She has also had a trip to Royal Melbourne where she took home reserve champion and best udder.

Longevity runs in Heidi’s family.

Her mum has taken over the crown as the oldest cow in the herd at 15 years of age so there could be a few IDW’s left for Heidi yet.

She has also thrown some pretty handy offspring including a daughter that won her class as a dry heifer and came second in her milk class.

Ben is unsure about numbers for his team this year.

“I think we will probably end up with around 15 in milk cows. We have shown more before, but I think that is a pretty good number for us this year.”

That mix of milkers will include Brown Swiss, two Holsteins including a mature red cow, some mature Illawarras and an Ayrshire.

“Last year we had a lot of good young cows while this year our team consists of more mature cows.”

Ben said he was very happy with last year’s IDW — he had ties with every winner.

“The junior champion was a cow I sold, the intermediate was owned and bred by me and senior champion was a cow I bought in partnership.”

Another year, another IDW for Tandara’s Ben Govett, although this year he is looking forward to judging the handlers competition in honour of his mentor Sherri Martin.

While this year will be all about preparing and showing the Tandara team, Ben will take some time out of his busy schedule to judge the handlers competition.

“That should be some good fun. Sherri Martin used to be a mentor of mine and it will be really good to judge the competition in honour of her memory, it’s a privilege actually,” he said.

Tandara Etvei Heidi will be attending her 10th International Dairy Week, the 11-year-old has never placed lower than a second in her class.

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

6 // IDW NEWS

Doing it for the kids SHOWING AT International Dairy Week is a

family affair for the Rundle family from Ecklin in south-west Victoria.

Dad Will Rundle admits he might not go if it wasn’t for his three children, but their enthusiasm is enough to keep him motivated.

Jake, 12, Matilda, 11 and Caitlin, 6, are keen participants, looking forward each year to leading their heifers and meeting up with friends old and new.

Will has been going to Dairy Week since he was 18, some 25 years ago.

“We missed a couple of years over time depending on milk prices and kids being born but we keep going back,” he said.

“I took cows to Jersey showcase before it amalgamated into Dairy Week.”

His Boggabilla Jersey Stud has had success locally and at IDW over the years, most notably winning intermediate champion and best udder in 1998 with Boggabilla Belle P26, who went on to win senior champion in 2000.

“She was just a nice type cow; we had a lot of success with her,” Will said.

The interest shown by his children has rekindled his interest.

“The kids are keen to do it and it’s a good thing for them,” he said. “They learn things and they do all the work.

“I wouldn’t bother myself these days because it’s hard to get away from the farm, but you’ve got to make the effort for the kids.”

The children started by leading at local shows and wanted to take the next step.

Jake got to lead at Dairy Week for the first time when he was eight; Matilda’s birthday is in November so she had to wait till she was nine; and Caitlin is next in line.

They pick their own heifers to prepare and take to Dairy Week and get to share leading duties.

“It’s a family thing, everyone goes up and enjoys it,” Will said.

One of Jake’s friends, Nash Coverdale, joins the team to help out.

This year the children will have a seven-strong

NEW

team, about the same as usual, including four Jerseys and three Ayrshires, along with a Brown Swiss they will show on behalf of their aunt Erin Kleisterlee from Chapple Vale.

“They’re all dry so that makes it easier,” Will said.

They will compete in the youth challenge on the Sunday, youth show the following day and then in the Jersey and Ayrshire shows.

The Ayrshires happened by accident.

“We’ve only got about 25 Ayrshires in the herd with about 170 Jerseys,” Will said.

“We only bought them a few years ago to fill in a gap but one of the heifers out of the herd won her class at Dairy Week and won at the local shows so we kept them.

“They were going to come and go but they’re still here.”

The farm has had a good season and the cows are in good shape, though Will doesn’t see any ready-made winners in this year’s team.

“We’re lucky down here; it’s been a good year for rain and it’s still wet and green in December,” he said.

“Unless it gets really hot, hopefully we should be green for most of January.”

The heifers being taken to Dairy Week are in typically good condition but Will isn’t expecting miracles.

“We’ll keep feeding them up, but there’s nothing super special there,” he said.

The children enjoy the challenge of leading their heifers and have had placings in the youth handler’s competition.

For Jake it’s not just about winning; it’s a social thing.

“I like spending time with everyone and leading the cows. It’s good to see people you don’t often see,” he said.

The family usually travels in a truck with a horse box, that also doubles as accommodation, and sometimes takes the heifers in a ute and trailer.

Will still sees benefits.

“It is costly,” he said.

“You don’t go there to make money but you

Jake and Matilda Rundle lead their Jersey Boggabilla Sleeping Beauty as they prepare for International Dairy Week.

get to see what else is around and what genetics are working for other people.”

The children are keen to continue and are already making plans for the future.

“They’ve got it worked out for the farm,” Will said.

“Jake wants to do all the tractor work; Matilda is going to milk the cows; and Caitlin is going to

make the cheese.”

The Jersey stud name Boggabilla was adopted back in the 1960s, reflecting the farm’s soggy nature which was wet enough to bog a billycart anywhere.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

IDW JUDGES // 7 All Breeds National Youth Show

Waylon Barron, Australia Dairy farming is very much a family affair for Waylon Barron from Ardylbar on the Darling Downs.

The family milk a mixed herd of Holstein, Jersey and a handful of Illawarra’s on 526 ha, aiming for self-sufficiency.

Ardylbar has exhibited across Queensland taking home numerous breed, supreme champion, most successful exhibitor and breeder titles along the way.

Recent success has come to the Illawarra’s Waylon owns in partnership, notably junior champion which moved on to win supreme junior champion at Brisbane Royal Show 2019.

Waylon has also co-owned and exhibited class winners and grand champions in holstein and jersey breeds at previous IDWs. Waylon judged major shows and On-Farm Challenges across Australia.

IDW Sheri Martin Youth Showmanship Classes

Ben Govett, Victoria Ben Govett is very familiar with the IDW show ring, having attended every event since it started.

Cows from Bendara Dairies have won Grand Champion in Australia’s National Brown Swiss Show for the last five years while the stud has won premier exhibitor and breeder for the last nine years.

Ben has judged cows in all states of Australia and in New Zealand. He has also judged state and national finals for handler competitions.

Ben is also co-owner of current and two-time IDW Supreme Champion Sunstorm. Ben is honoured to judge the showmanship classes as Sheri was one of his early mentors.

Sheri developed her showmanship skills attending the youth camps. As an adult she worked for Genetics Australia and volunteered at many camps. She was a great person and a great contributor.

Ayrshire Show

François Beaudry, Canada François Beaudry has always had a deep passion for the Ayrshire breed.

Based in Quebec, Canada, he co-owns the Des Prairies herd with his wife Hélène Tremblay.

The herd has always thrived for great milk production and has won many awards including the master breeder title twice.

François’ farm is known around the world for the quality of the animals it produces with many all Canadians titles to its record. The farm sells embryos around the world and is always happy to welcome foreign visitors.

François is a member the Canadian Ayrshire Association and has served the Canadian delegate on the world Ayrshire federation for the past years.

François is an experienced judge and has judged dairy shows around the world. He has met many passionate breeders and learnt alongside them.

Illawarra Show

Greg English, Queensland Greg English was born and bred in Malanda in Far North Queensland.

His family established Eachamvale Stud in 1908 after transporting cows from NSW, walking them to Brisbane, boating them to Cairns and then walking them to Malanda.

In 2001 Greg took over the family stud with his wife Bronwyn, focusing on breeding high production Illawarra cows with good udders.

Greg proudly exhibited at the 2016 Malanda Century Show marking 100 years of continuous exhibiting for the Eachamvale Stud.

A breeding highlight for Eachamvale was taking out Supreme Intermediate with Eachamvale Erin 4 and Supreme Champion Cow with Eachamvale Precious 7, at this year’s Royal Brisbane Show — a terrific achievement considering it was a 3600 km round trip.

Stud dairy cows and showing have always been a huge part of Greg’s life, but in conjunction with this a fair bit of time is also devoted to off-farm community activities.

Guernsey Show

Grant Liebelt, South Australia Grant Liebelt began showing cattle when he was 17. He worked with his family on their dairy farm where they bred stud Guernsey’s under the ‘Dalrymple’ prefix. Grant showed his first Guernsey at the Tanunda Feature Show and Royal Adelaide Show, winning senior champion in his second year.

Grant showed his first Guernsey at the Tanunda Feature Show and Royal Adelaide Show, winning senior champion in his second year.

Although changing to Holsteins in future years (under the Grantley prefix), Grant has always maintained an interest in the breeding development of the Guernsey breed.

The greatest success for the Liebelt family was at the Royal Adelaide Show in 1983, winning Supreme Champion Dairy Cow with Grantley Marquis Flora EX4E. The Flora family has continued to excel to this day. Daughter Bridget shares her father’s passion for dairy cattle and has had successes at both the Royal Adelaide Show and IDW. Grant received master breeder status in 2017 and then retired and sold his herd. He continues to breed top quality progeny from cattle he retained.

He resides in the Adelaide Hills with partner Bronwyn on their 101 ha farm in Paris Creek, where they continue to raise heifers.

Brown Swiss Show

Kevin Ziemba, United States Kevin Ziemba is employed as the eastern US manager for STgenetics.

He has a role in the sire development department assisting in mating, acquisition and program direction and is also coach of the Cornell University dairy judging team — the team has had a top-five finish team at World Dairy Expo for the past seven years.

Kevin, wife Barb and son Mason also enjoy breeding and developing good cattle. They currently have 40 predominately Holsteins under ZiemBarbWay (ZBW Genetics).

They have bred over 60 EX cows, numerous All-American, Jr All-American and All-NY award recipients. They also work with a small group of Jerseys and Brown Swiss and have bred AllAmerican nominees in the three breeds.

The ZBW herd has exhibited at World Dairy Expo since 2004 and focuses on genomic production and type traits.

Numerous bulls have gone into AI under the ZBW and Woodcrest prefixes. Kevin has had the privilege of judging cows throughout the US, Canada and the Hokkaido National Show in Japan.

He has also served as a delegate representing NY at the National Holstein Convention and works extensively with NYs 4-H programs assisting in developing the next generation of future dairy leaders.

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Jersey Show

Chris Hill, United States Chris Hill operates MD-Hillbrook Sales and Service, a sales and auctioneering business with his wife Jennifer in Maryland, United States.

A passion for the show ring has seen the couple maintain a small inventory of elite show cattle — they have bred and owned more than 50 All American nominations over the last 10 years.

Chris manages approximately 35 sales a year throughout the US and Canada including the popular March Madness Sale Series which debuted in 1996 and continues today.

Chris is an accomplished judge who has officiated at many county, district, state and national shows across the US, Canada, and South America.

He has officiated the Hoard’s Dairymen Holstein cow class and has served on the AllAmerican judges’ panel for all seven breeds. He has also served as the official judge for Holsteins, both open and junior, Jersey, Red and White and Brown Swiss breeds at World Dairy Expo.

Chris has had the honour of judging six times at the All-American Dairy Show and four times at the North American International Livestock Show, including the Jersey Jug. Recently Chris and Jennifer were awarded the A.C. “Whitie” Thomson Award honouring sportsmanship and leadership at WDE. Holstein Show

Yan Jacobs, Canada Yan Jacobs from Cap-Santé in Quebec Canada has the honour of judging the Holstein Show for 2020.

Yan was born and raised on Ferme Jacobs and now owns this farm with his father, Jean Jacobs and his sister Ysabel.

The family milks 215 cows and the herd averages 11 000 kg with a test 4.4 fat and 3.24 protein.

The herd classify is 60 EX, 145 VG and 42 GP. Jacobs Farm has been eight times premier breeder at World Dairy Expo and seven times at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. They also have received 94 All-Canadian nominations and 60 All-American nominations.

Yan’s judging roles has taken him around the world. In 2018 he judged the Utah Show and the Wisconsin Spring Show. He has also judged numerous county shows in Quebec.

In 2016 Yan was the associate judge at World Dairy Expo in Madison.

You are invited to a talk on Monday 20 January at 10:15am in the Ballantyne Centre at IDW 2020, to be delivered by Dr Richard Kirkland (Volac Wilmar Technical Expert), with the title “Feeding bypass fats to dairy cows – what does the new science tell us?

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If you’re interested in supplying Bega or Tatura please contact our Milk Supply Office on (03) 5824 6203 or email milksupplyservices@tatura.com.au

Bega & Tatura are actively recruiting new milk supply.

With increased capability and an increasing demand for our products we are seeking new milk suppliers in all regions.

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With increased capability and increasing demand for our minimum price each year, no step downs Organic Milk • A guaranteed products we are seeking new milk suppliers• in all regions. suit your farm • Options for large farms, split calving • Payment systems to Why supply Bega & Tatura

• 9/3 payment system suits seasonal, small to medium farms or farms looking for early cash flow Why supply Bega &Milk Tatura service from our dedicated owned company milk Supply prices •Team.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

IDW PREVIEW // 9

Breeding for improved heat tolerance THE ARRIVAL of summer sees dairy farm-

ers in hot areas looking at ways to help cows handle hot, humid weather.

The latest release of Australian Breeding Values from DataGene is a good opportunity for farmers to think about adding breeding to their tool kit for managing heat in dairy herds.

Michelle Axford from DataGene said the Heat Tolerance ABV, enabled dairy farmers to identify high genetic merit animals that are more able to tolerate hot conditions with less impact on milk production.

“Environment and management will always be important with managing hot

conditions, but genetics also plays a role and farmers are rapidly having a lot more breeding choices,” Mrs Axford said.

“When the Heat Tolerance ABV was released in 2017 there were very few high genetic merit bulls with more than 100 for Heat Tolerance.

“Now there are more than 275 Holstein Good Bulls that meet those criteria. And the top two proven bulls for BPI are average, or above average for heat tolerance.”

To breed for improved heat tolerance, look for bulls with the combination of a high Balanced Performance Index and a Heat Tolerance ABV of greater than 100. If using

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the Good Bulls App, set a filter to screen out bulls with a Heat Tolerance ABV below 100.

“Heat tolerance is favourably linked with fertility and unfavourably linked with production, so it’s important to look for the exceptional bulls that are strong for both Balanced Performance Index or production as well as heat tolerance. And always use a team of bulls to spread risk,” Mrs Axford said.

For more information contact DataGene on (03) 9032 7191 or enquiries@datagene. com.au or www.datagene.com.au

INPUT SOUGHT ON NATIONAL BREEDING OBJECTIVE Dairy farmers and industry people are being encouraged to have their say about the industry’s National Breeding Objective by filling in a survey before January 20.

Michelle Axford from DataGene said the National Breeding Objective described the agreed collective breeding priorities for the Australian dairy industry. It is currently expressed as the Balanced Performance Index, Health Weighted Index, and Type Weighted Index.

“The NBO is formally reviewed once every five years so now is the opportunity for people to tell us about the kind of cow they want to breed,” Mrs Axford said.

“Since their introduction in 2015, there has been a positive and sustained use of the BPI, HWI and TWI by farmers and bull companies. This has contributed to a doubling of the rate of genetic gain in the sires used to produce Australian cows.”

Mrs Axford said the review was important to ensure the national breeding objective remained relevant to farmer preferences and based on robust science.

Some of the themes being explored in this review include: Fat:Protein ratio, longevity, fertility, feed efficiency, new traits, multiple indices and updating the base*.

To complete the survey, visit www.datagene. com.au and follow the quick link on the home page.

For more information contact DataGene on (03) 9032 7191 or enquiries@datagene.com.au or www.datagene.com.au

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

10 // IDW PREVIEW

Spotlight on women in dairy THE POWER of Women in Dairy dinner is

always a highlight of the dairy week calendar and this year will be no exception.

The dinner provides women with a chance to get together and relax and unwind from their busy International Dairy Week schedules, even if it is only for a couple of hours.

A change in format this year will see the event take a new twist with a three-person panel facilitated by Casey Treloar a feature of the night.

Casey is a reporter for Channel 7 and passionate dairy industry advocate. Her parents were forced to sell their dairy farm last year.

She will be talking to three different women all with a story to tell, while facilitating questions from the audience.

The night will also see the crowning of the 2020 Bette Hall Power of Women in Dairy Award for Excellence.

Bette was an exceptional cow woman, great business woman and an inspiration to the dairy industry. She started breeding cows in the 1950s and was an early adaptor of breeding technologies which went on to form the basis of many of Winners of the Bette Hall Power of Women in Dairy Award Jenny Gray, Lisa Broad, Lyn Boyd and Pam Malcolm. the amazing cows at Plana Holsteins.

This will be the fifth year for the award and previous winners include Pam Malcolm, Lyn Boyd, Lisa Broad and Jenny Gray.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to pedicures and manicures and a hairdresser The event will be held at Wilson Hall, Tatura Information on the POW World Dairy Expo attend one of the pampering stations set up station.

Park on Monday, January 20 from 5 pm to 7 pm.

2020 scholarship will also be provided on the around the room including head, neck, hand Tickets are $10 and include nibbles and Tickets are available from www.trybooking. night. and feet massages, Rodan Fields skincare, mini drinks. com/BHGFL

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

12 // IDW SEMINARS Monday, January 20 9 am Tracking heat and health in dairy cows — Allflex The Allflex animal monitoring system is a well proven heat and health tracker for dairy cows.

Scientifically proven with more than 20 years of knowledge, Allflex leads the way in helping customers put more milk in the vat. This seminar will explain how the Allflex animal monitoring system can work to save labour, reduce deaths and improve the health of herds.

10.15 am Fatty acid nutrition of dairy cows, what does the science tell us? — Volac International, Richard Kirkland Dr Richard Kirkland has been with United Kingdom-based nutrition company Volac for the past 15 years.

Working as part of the animal nutrition team, Dr Kirkland specialises in the use of feed fats, or more correctly fatty acids in improving performance of lactating dairy cows.

Dr Kirkland has experience in dairy production systems in highly contrasting environments, using latest research data to provide practical nutritional advice. He attained a PHD from Queen’s University of Belfast for an evaluation of energy metabolism in dairy cows and is currently global technical manager of Volac Wilmar Feed Ingredients, actively involved in fatty acid research programs.

11.30 am Probiotics — more than good bugs — Daviesway, Hamish Hunt This presentation focuses on the growing body of research that links positive health outcomes for commercial livestock through probiotics (beneficial good bacteria) in conjunction with naturally occurring compounds such as the saponins and phenolics of yucca schidigera.

The research data accumulated internationally indicates certain naturally occurring combinations of compounds are highly efficient at binding or disabling certain types of pathogen behaviour in ways equivalent to or exceeding more conventional compounds.

Tuesday, January 21 9 am There is no magic bullet — Maxum How do you rear a calf ? Health, nutrition, hygiene, housing. This is just the start of topics we need to consider and manage every day in calf rearing systems. It is not easy and there are many ways to achieve the desired result.

Maxum has gathered a panel of calf rearing specialists who have reared calves to share experiences and to help the seminar audience consider different options and make better decisions in their operation.

10.15 am Lower input to get better output on all scale dairy farms — Lely, Gert Aerts The ultimate aim of a dairy farmer is to produce high quality milk in the vat. Lely derived

the automated milking principle by reviewing value added activities on farm that lead to more milk in the vat.

Results can improve by eliminating unnecessary activities on the farm and by optimising workflows in the chain. With this concept Lely focuses on less inputs and more outputs on all scales and ways of dairy farming, overall this leads to a more profitable and enjoyable farming experience.

fast paced and engaging session from Holstein Australia you will hear first-hand from breeders and business on how to use social media to market your herd, develop your brand and achieve a return on the time you invest.

Complete with useful takeaway tips and tricks, whether you are trying to reach consumers, looking for top price at your next sale or just want your voice to be heard, this session is for you.

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In pasture we trust but change or bust — Provico Les Sandles Pasture has underpinned our industry for decades, but things have changed. It’s hotter, drier and input costs are escalating, but more importantly sustainable farming methods are being mandated by domestic and export dairy consumers.

Navigating successfully through these challenges requires an open mind and a willingness to change. Dr Les Sandles will challenge some old beliefs and present some new thinking around the use of fertilisers, on farm resources and pasture options to reduce inputs, improve soil fertility and grow more pasture. He will also discuss how this will improve health, fertility and milk quality in your herd.

Nutritional strategies to manage heat stress in cattle — Ridley, Dr Babak Nobari Global warming is a major concern for the agriculture sector. In the most basic sense, heat stress occurs when a cow must change her behaviour and physiology to cope with environmental conditions. Heat stress impairs welfare and productive performance of dairy and beef cattle. Babalk will focus on nutritional strategies to manage heat stress in dairy farms.

Wednesday, January 22 9 am Social media for dairy farmers and breeders, doing it right — Holstein Australia, Adam Sewell If you are like most dairy farmers, updating your business’ social media is never a priority. In this

11.30 am Getting the right number of heifers in your herd — ST Genetics Australia, Kevin Ziemba The secret of increasing herd profitability through heifer inventory management will be shared by Kevin. The main objective is to provide strategies to ensure you have the right heifer replacements to suit both the bottom and top end of your herd.

Making the right heifers leads to greater profitability. Kevin has strong expertise and will present several methods and strategies — the best way to predict the future is to create it. A light lunch will be provided on conclusion.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

14 // IDW PREVIEW AUSSIE FARMERS SUPPORTED BY NEW DAIRY CODE The new mandatory dairy code came into effect on January 1.

Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie said following feedback received from dairy farmers on the draft, the new code prohibits retrospective pricing step downs.

It also prevents unilateral changes except in a narrowly defined set of emergency circumstances; it stops processors withholding loyalty payments from farmers who are changing processor; and it prohibits exclusive supply arrangements where other conditions would be to the detriment of dairy farmers.

“It also establishes a dispute resolution process, increases the powers of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in the space and introduces civil penalties,” Ms McKenzie said.

She said Australia’s dairy farming organisations had worked hard to develop

a code that would support dairy farmers right across Australia.

“I want to thank each and every organisation for their constructive input in agreeing to the code,” Ms McKenzie said.

“The mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct was a key recommendation from the 2018 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Dairy Inquiry which found contracting and industry practices were weighted heavily in favour of processors.

“That’s why it has been so important for state dairy farming organisations and dairy farmers, from across our eight unique dairy regions, to detail the protections needed and to agree what is, and what is not, acceptable conduct in negotiations and in contracts.

“The final code is different from the draft that was consulted on and is now a stronger, clearer document that delivers the protections it should for dairy farmers.

“Whilst the mandatory Dairy Code is an important step forward for our dairy farmers in protecting their interests, it will not be a silver bullet for all the difficulties they are facing.

“Our dairy farmers are under real and sustained pressure because of the drought, high input costs for electricity, fodder and water, and a power imbalance in negotiating a fair farm gate price from processors.”

Australian Dairy Farmers chief executive David Inall thanked the Federal Government for listening to the concerns raised by dairy industry representatives following the release last month of the exposure draft code of conduct.

“The final code of conduct addresses our concerns and provides important protections for farmers when negotiating milk supply agreements with their processors,” Mr Inall said.

“While the mandatory code will not be responsible for setting the farm gate milk price, it will go some way to improving the bargaining power of farmers and professionalising contract management in the industry.”

“Our goal is to ensure that farmers are protected by the mandatory code of conduct and to do all we can to avoid a repeat of the 2016 milk price step-downs,” Mr Inall said.

“The ACCC identified that farmers lacked bargaining power when negotiating contracts and we believe that this will be significantly improved with this mandatory code of conduct.”

All existing milk supply agreements must be compliant with the mandatory code within 12 months of the code coming into effect.

Milk production on decline THE NATIONAL milk production pool is

expected to drop between three and five per cent in 2019–20 as northern Victoria’s drop in herd sizes and exits from the dairy industry play a major role in the decline.

Speaking post the release of Dairy Australia’s Situation and Outlook report for December, Dairy Australia’s industry analyst Sofia Omstedt said milk production had dropped by nearly one billion litres since 2017–18.

"The ongoing effect of drought and high input costs has seen nearly one billion litres exit the pool since 2017–18 when it was 9.3 billion litres," she said.

"We have seen milk production significantly decline in northern Victoria due to farm exits and decreasing herd sizes.

"The last financial year saw 12 per cent more exit the industry compared to the year prior and there’s anecdotal reports of exits since.

"This financial year, from July to October, we have seen an 8.7 per cent drop in production out of northern Victoria compared to the previous year."

The Dairy Australia publication said water for irrigation is being traded for $529/Ml on average in northern Victoria, an increase of 190 per cent

Dairy Australia industry analyst Sofia Omstedt said milk production in northern Victoria for 2019-20, to October, had dropped by 8.7 per cent.

from October 2018.

While, water is being traded on average for $512/Ml in the Murray Irrigation System, a figure that’s up by 164 per cent on October 2018.

Despite water prices rising, hay and wheat prices have reduced but are still historically high.

Dairy Australia anticipated stockfeed wheat to drop 13 per cent to $370/tonne in the 12 months to November 2019, while they expect hay to drop by 30 per cent to $255/tonne.

With weather forecasts suggesting more of the same over summer, Ms Omstedt said the farm-gate price, which is averaging $7/kg of milk solids, would have a bigger impact for some than others.

"The farmers that aren’t quite reliant on buying in feed are able to try and capitalise on the milk price, while those affected by the high prices will continue to face pressures this year."

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IDW NEWS // 15

Ayrshire world conference at IDW INTERNATIONAL DAIRY Week might be

one of the biggest shows of the season but it also going to be a big one for the Ayrshire breed with the world conference making its way to Tatura this year.

The last time the conference was held in Australia was in the ’90s.

President Scott Braendler said the main conference meeting will be held Monday followed by an exhibitor barbecue on Tuesday. The main conference dinner will be held in the Ballantyne Centre on Wednesday. Organisers are expecting at least 250 people to attend.

The Ayrshire sale will be held Tuesday and will feature some of the best live genetics the country has on offer along with some outstanding embryo packages from around the world in a silent Embryo Auction running over the first 10 days of the tour.

“It has been four years since the last world conference, and we organised this one around making IDW a feature,” Scott said.

“We are expecting a large contingent of overseas visitors and we couldn’t think of a better way to showcase the quality of our cattle in our country, than at this event.

“Our Ayrshire members are making a special effort with their teams and it should be a great few days.”

He is hoping there will be at least 150 head in the show, but tough conditions could impact numbers.

“The majority of our exhibitors are taking a few extra head, so we are expecting this to be a great show,” he said.

On a personal note Scott said the Boldview Farms team will be helping look after cattle representing half dozen studs.

“We will have 15 or so helpers to give us a hand this year. We even have some cattle coming down from Queensland, so we are expecting this to be a pretty busy time for us.”

Mature cow Sherbar Burdette Secret and six-year-old Boldview Face Ripple will be part of the Boldview team making the six-hour journey this year.

Ripple is fresh off a win in the South Australian On Farm Challenge while Secret was reserve and both cows headed the Boldview Farms team at the Adelaide Royal in September.

The team will also have some new members including recently purchased Hillcrest Jumper Lorette 2, VG 88.

The Braendler and Liebich families purchased her from the dispersal sale of well-known Ayrshire couple Kevin and Sharon Smith for a record breed price of $21 000.

“We are in the dairy industry for the long haul and to have the chance to purchase cattle of this calibre was too good an opportunity to refuse,” Scott said.

“We have never spent this sort of money on a cow before, but we felt this was the right thing to do for our genetics moving forward — opportunities like this don’t come along very often and you have to capitalise on them when they do.”

The family also purchased recently calved Hillcrest Charleston Lorette from the same sale, and she will also be at IDW.

The Boldview team are looking forward to seeing how new purchase Hillcrest Jumper Lorette 2 performs in the show ring.

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16 // IDW NEWS

Emotional journey to show ring PAUL ALLOTT and Emma Spedding have a

strong attachment to Brown Swiss that is not only born out of a genuine love for the breed but also tragedy.

In October 2015 a truck load of Dryfesdale Brown Swiss cattle belonging to Jeremy Josefski arrived at Paul and Emma’s farm. Jeremy from Gympie, in Queensland, was following them down in his own vehicle to begin working for the couple, when he was tragically killed in a car accident.

Paul and Emma, along with Jeremy’s wife Leah, decided to continue Jeremy’s passion and show at IDW the following January and they ended up coming away with an emotional, honourable mention win with five-year-old Dryfesdale Fantastic Four.

Leah decided she wanted Paul and Emma to continue showing on behalf of Jeremy and their relationship with Dryfesdale continues today.

“Leah said to us you continue to breed the cattle on. We are in contact all the time and we have certainly come a long way with our Brown Swiss in a hurry over the last four

years,” Emma said.

This year’s dairy week team will consist of around 10 head, a mixture of Dryfesdale animals and Paul and Emma’s own Waltopso Brown Swiss and Holstein.

At this stage there will be three milkers and seven heifers and calves.

“Every year we ask ourselves why we do it, but it really is such a great event,” Emma said.

Emma comes from a horse background and she said she really enjoys the challenge of getting a cow into the show ring.

“We don’t buy any animals, we breed our own and go through the whole process ourselves − from breaking in, educating, calving and getting the animal to peak for IDW and it is a real challenge, but I love it.”

Emma said making the show team doesn’t always guarantee a walk in the ring.

“If they don’t settle, relax, eat and drink, then you are fighting a losing battle. Things can still go wrong once you get to IDW!” she said.

Emma and Paul’s former fitter Todd Brown, is now working for them full-time on their Some of the junior team in waiting.

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Todd Brown and Emma Spedding work on their 2020 IDW team.

Strathmerton dairy farm and has become a permanent member of the Waltopso and Dryfesdale team.

“We have 10 in our team and Todd is taking a couple of his own.

“We also have Nathan Daley from Ourway Holsteins in Atherton coming down and he will take our Friesians under his wing.”

Over the years there have been a few notable Dryfesdale cows do well at IDW including Dryfesdale Fantastic Four who won honourable mention, Dryfesdale Grandslam Jolene who came second in class in 2016 and Emma’s own personal favourite Dryfesdale Mark Lemon who came second in her class and won reserve junior champion.

Lemon is heading back again in 2020 and Emma can’t wait to see how she goes.

When it comes to Waltopso, Biver Victory won her calf class last year and will head back again this year in the 14-month-old class.

“I love starting them out and seeing where they go and how they do,” Emma said.

While the couple’s herd only consists of 80 Brown Swiss out of the 410, they are definitely Emma’s favourite.

“I love their temperament. Brown Swiss can be stubborn and pigheaded but also affectionate at the same time. They all have different characters and keep us entertained.

“They always pick things up and learn very quickly which can be detrimental if they learn the wrong thing.”

Todd Brown used to fit for the couple every year but in May this year, he moved to northern Victoria in May this year and is now a permanent part of the team.

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18 // IDW PREVIEW

Predicting cow fertility AGRICULTURE VICTORIA research scien-

tists have developed a model that can predict how likely a dairy cow is to conceive from first insemination, with up to 77 per cent accuracy.

The world-first research combined mid-infrared spectroscopy — which shines an infrared light through cows’ milk — with other on-farm data for 3000 dairy cows from 19 herds across Australia.

Cow fertility is a key driver of profitability for Australia’s dairy industry but until now there has been little research toward enabling farmers to predict the outcome of insemination.

Agriculture Victoria research scientist and leader of the DairyBio initiative, Jennie Pryce, said dairy farmers could use this research to optimise their breeding decisions and increase farm productivity and profitability.

“The expected outcome of this research is a valuable prediction tool for farmers who choose to herd-test in early lactation, before the joining season starts,” Professor Pryce said.

“We are now collaborating with DataGene

and the herd test centres, working towards implementing the research and providing the best advice for farmers.”

Agriculture Victoria research scientist Phuong Ho said farmers could optimise breeding decisions using prior knowledge of how likely an individual cow is to become pregnant after insemination.

“Sexed or premium bull semen could be used for cows predicted to have a high likelihood of conception, whereas cows with predicted poor fertility could be mated using semen from beef bulls, multiple doses, or semen from bulls of known high genetic merit for fertility,” Dr Ho said.

“Additionally, farmers might adjust feeding or management strategies to help predicted poor cows improve their physiological condition and probability of conception.”

The model combines information from milk MIR samples, which farmers routinely collect, with information on fertility genomic breeding

Agriculture Victoria Research scientists Professor Jennie Pryce and Dr Phuong Ho. Prof Pryce said dairy farmers could use this research to optimise their breeding decisions, increasing farm productivity and profitability.

values, cow genotype, milk yield, age of cow at lactation and days in milk when the sample was taken and at insemination.

The model is currently undergoing extensive validation using data from NSW dairy farms before being made available to dairy farmers.

The research is part of the DairyBio initiative between Agriculture Victoria, Dairy Australia and the Gardiner Foundation, in collaboration with DataGene.

Damian DRUM MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR NICHOLLS

#ImProud to welcome the many visitors to our electorate who are attending International Dairy Week 2020.

The dairy industry is a cornerstone of our region and so it is fantastic to celebrate this event right here in Tatura each year.

Our communities have a fantastic range of shops, dining, and accommodation which we hope you take the opportunity to enjoy during your stay.

Contact my office for assistance with Federal Government issues 426 Wyndham Street, Shepparton, VIC 3630 damiandrum.com.au Authorised by D. Drum, National Party of Australia, Shepparton.

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damian.drum.mp@aph.gov.au 03 5821 5371

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

20 // IDW FEATURE

Clydevale teams a family affair INTERNATIONAL DAIRY Week 2020 will

very much be a family affair for the Dee family from Clydevale Holsteins Macorna.

Showing and breeding quality cows is built into the genetics of this family.

The passion and love started with parents Adrian and Cheryl back in 1973 and has passed down the children and grandchildren.

Initially Clydevale started with a herd of commercial cows but it didn’t take long before the stud stock started to come through the ranks.

In 1974–75 Adrian and Cheryl purchased their first stud cows followed by a line of 20 in 1977 — the 900 registered Clydevale cattle today (cows, heifers and calves) have all descended from those early purchases.

Son Adam said the family has won a few ribbons over its time at IDW but never got a champion one.

“The best we have done is a youth show champion in the early ’90s with Clydevale Eagle Irene ET Ex2E STP 10SBC,” Adam said.

She went on to be a prolific breeder for the prefix with many of the cows in the herd today

Hannah Dee has been working with, and showing cows for the last nine years; International Dairy Week is a highlight on the calendar.

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IDW FEATURE // 21

“She is looking pretty good, but you never turn up at IDW expecting to win. Competition is so strong if you get a top-10 place with any animal then you are doing well.”

tracing back to her pedigree.

“We have had lots of great herd bulls and bulls into AI from Irene along with some great cows,” he said.

A more recent highlight was Hullabaloo Bolton Sundae 7282 ET EX93 2E 1XM, 1XP. She placed 6th in a strong mature class at IDW last year and went on to win the All Australian Mature Cow for 2018–19 with a photo taken immediately after the win.

While the family are unsure if there will be any champions amongst this year’s team one thing is for sure, they will be out here in the ring having a go.

Their 2020 team includes three milkers

and two heifers.

Senior three-year-old Clydevale Archrival Paige and Clydevale Superstyle Peninsula, along with junior two-year-old Clydevale Solomon Foxy, make up the milking part of the team, while 15-month-old Clydevale Piston Sunsmart and 16-month-old Clydevale Stark Imp are flying the Clydevale flag in the heifer classes.

Granddaughter Hannah, 17, has inherited the family love and has been leading and working with cows for the last nine years.

She has learnt a lot from attending many different shows and events over the years, especially when it comes to preparation and showmanship skills.

“I like taking cows to the shows, but I also like working with them in the lead up as well,” she said.

She said one of her own personal showing highlights has been leading Sunsmart to a win in the youth section at last year’s winter fair.

“Even though she doesn’t lead all that well yet, she is still my favourite cow,” she said.

Clydevale might only be taking a young team of animals this year but is happy with its choices.

Each of the milkers have shown well as uncalved animals and this will be their first big show as in-milk animals.

“They have all been great young cows and it will be interesting to see how they go as in-milk

animals,” son Col said.

Hannah’s dad Mark said he likes the look of Paige.

“She is looking pretty good, but you never turn up at IDW expecting to win. Competition is so strong if you get a top-10 place with any animal then you are doing well,” Mark said.

The Clydevale cows may have only just been pulled out of the herd but thankfully they are all broken in and according to Hannah, just need to work on their leading skills.

Adam said feeding the herd a TMR all year round helps to makes for an easy transition to the show diet.

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22 // IDW FEATURE

Jerseys rich in family heritage JEANETTE SEVERS

PATRICK ANDERSON is part of a long family

heritage involving the Jersey breed. The 18-yearold dairy farmer from Athlone in Gippsland, Victoria, registered his own stud in 2016, continuing the tradition of using Kings V in the breeder’s prefix.

Patrick’s stud is Kings Veldt and his cows run with the commercial herd of mostly stud Jersey cattle milked by his parents, Lindsay and Jacinta.

His parents’ stud prefix is Kings Vista.

“We’ve got cows in our herd we can trace back to those initial cows from 1886, registered under the name Kings Vale by my great grandparents,” Patrick said.

“I’ve got 65 cows, including young stock. My parents have 400 cows, including young stock.

We run them all together as a milking herd.

“Most of the herd is Jersey, with a few crossbred cows used as embryo transfer recipient.”

The family is currently milking 250 Jersey cows, plus 60 dried off for early autumn calving, through a fully robotic dairy.

The annual lactation average is 6100 litres/cow. The 182 ha farm is dryland, mostly rolling hills, with some river flat abutting the Lang Lang River.

“Our calving pattern is a bit spread out. We calve 60 per cent of the herd in spring and 40 per cent in autumn, to take advantage of a bit of feed availability in the spring, so we can milk more cows,” Patrick said.

“Our calving pattern isn’t real tight because of the robots, giving us a level milking curve throughout the year.”

All cows get several chances at AI; all the heifers get two AIs before they meet a bull.

A 1000 mm average annual rainfall benefits spring milking and the river flats provide summer feed. In winter, cows graze the hill country.

Pastures are a mix of perennial rye-grass, clover and chicory. Annual rye-grass and oats are oversown in the autumn, followed by millet, rape and chicory crops for summer.

About 1400 rolls of wrapped silage and 200 rolls of hay are baled each year. Oat and wheaten hay and lucerne squares are purchased for the heifers and cows prepared for showing.

A family affair: Patrick Anderson with Riverside Grand Belle, Kasey Shield with Kings Vista Valin Patrick’s responsibilities include decision- Pansy, Winsome Anderson, and Meg Anderson, at the Central Gippsland Jersey Fair 2019. making around breeding, calf-rearing and preparing cattle for show, as well as sharing animal husbandry and pasture management roles. He’s Double, winner of his class at the 1969 Royal new cow families to the Anderson breeding pronot against a bit of experimenting.

Melbourne Show. gram, with Butterwinks, Tiny, Sonia and Delicate This year Patrick chose to use semen from Last year, he and his parents bought 200 cows among the cattle. straws that had been sitting in the tank for more bred by Colin and Jenny Dowel, who owned the Patrick also bought cows from the than 45 years, from stud bull, Belgonia Golden Inverell Jersey stud. This purchase introduced Lorette family, purchased from Kelvin

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

IDW FEATURE // 23 PREPARING CATTLE FOR SHOW RING

JEANETTE SEVERS

Inverell Anne 21 EX90

Trottman, in Yarram.

“There’s only three people with that family — Kelvin, uncle Ian and I. I’ve got the second-largest population of that family in the world — 10 cows,” Patrick said.

“It’s unique.”

Three of the Anderson cow families extend back to five of the foundation families from Patrick’s grandfather’s Kings View stud program.

The five foundation families were Pansy, Linda, Rosella, Brunette and Jessima.

“Of those, we still have a lot of Pansy cows

Patrick Anderson with Riverside Grand Belle and her haul of ribbons from the Royal Melbourne Show.

through both studs, that’s one of our main families, along with a handful of Lindas and a few Rosellas,” Patrick said.

“Say I take a Pansy heifer to the Royal Melbourne Show and she wins and if you go back through the pedigree, you’ll find her great great grandmother also won at that show. So it’s a traceable lineage.”

As much as the family heritage is tied up in showing and judging cattle, for Patrick the main emphasis is on owning a good commercial herd.

“Any Jersey herd in the country will have

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Pansy, Silver Mine, or a Belle — those families that have done well for everyone. The thing I like about some of the families is, they’re unique,” he said.

“They’re good commercial cows that get in and do the work. In a few years, they’ll start winning shows or have sons go into sire programs.

“We want cows that still get in and milk commercially, but have that style and finesse that you can take into the show room. Pretty cows that work.”

Preparing the cattle for judging begins in December, when the heifers are separated from their age group mobs, having already been broken to lead. Their rations include ad lib cereal hay and a high protein grain mix.

Patrick begins washing them regularly.

“After new year, we wash them a few times to get their hair growing on the topline and be nice and soft,” he said.

“A week before IDW, I’ll clip them at home. At IDW, I’ll clip them properly with a finer blade.

“We’ll keep feeding cereal hay and the grain mix to them.”

The heifers are trained to drink, and after they arrive at the show, that volume is reduced to two watering opportunities a day.

“They’re trained to that regime so they drink properly and fill up,” Patrick said.

Four to five hours before judging, the cattle begin a lucerne ration and are allowed a big drink of water before going into the show ring.

“I’ll finish clipping their top line and shoes and spray them so they look shiny and have a nice finish.

“Then they get the big drink of water and it shows how much open their ribs are and gives them a barrel look,” Patrick said.

The cattle are washed daily, at least twice a day.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

24 // IDW PREVIEW

IDW winners • • • • • •

Illawarra Champion Cow and Supreme Champion Wallumlands Sunstorm 8th owned by Gordon, Bacon and Govett.

Holstein Champion Cow Fairvale Goldchip Melody 770, Crawford family, Numbaa.

Jersey Champion Cow Cairnbrae Valentino Daisy 11, AG and JA Carson, Irrewillipe.

Guernsey Champion Cow Exkwizit Active Barbell, Crawford family, Numbaa.

Ayrshire Champion Cow Rockvale Burdette Prim, Jacob Mathews, Shady Creek.

Brown Swiss Champion Cow Tandara Bosephus Sarajevo 121, Tandara Brown Swiss and J Drake, Dingee.

Jersey Champion Cow Cairnbrae Valentino Daisy 11, AG and JA Carson, Irrewillipe.

Ayrshire Champion Cow Rockvale Burdette Prim, Jacob Mathews, Shady Creek.

THERE WILL be a whole new line-up of cham-

pion cows announced in 2020 with only one of last year’s winners making the trip back to IDW to defend their title.

Guernsey Champion Exkwizit Active Barbell, owned by the Crawford family from Numbaa, is returning another year older but again in good form for the important week in January.

Alex Crawford said while Barbell is currently looking the goods, a lot can happen over the next month or so.

“I think she looks pretty good and I just hope her form continues right through to judging,” Alex said.

The family will again bring a mixed team of Holstein and Guernsey.

Holstein Champion Cow Fairvale Goldchip Melody 770, Crawford family, Numbaa.

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Guernsey Champion Cow Exkwizit Active Barbell, Crawford family, Numbaa.

Illawarra Champion Cow and Supreme Champion Wallumlands Sunstorm 8th owned by Gordon, Bacon and Govett.

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

IDW PREVIEW // 25

Dairy survey DAIRY FARMERS and industry people are

encouraged to have their say about the industry’s National Breeding Objective (NBO), by filling in a survey before January 20.

DataGene’s Michelle Axford said the NBO described the agreed collective breeding priorities for the Australian dairy industry.

It is currently expressed as the Balanced Performance Index (BPI), Health Weighted Index (HWI) and Type Weighted Index (TWI).

“The NBO is formally reviewed once every five years so now is the opportunity for people to tell us about the kind of cow they want to breed,” Mrs Axford said.

“Since their introduction in 2015, there has been a positive and sustained use of the BPI, HWI and TWI by farmers and bull companies.

This has contributed to a doubling of the rate

of genetic gain in the sires used to produce Australian cows.”

Mrs Axford said the review was important to ensure the national breeding objective remained relevant to farmer preferences and is based on robust science.

Some of the themes explored in this review include: fat:protein ratio, longevity, fertility, feed efficiency, new traits, multiple indices and updating the base, To complete the survey, visit www.datagene.com.au and follow the quick link on the home page.

For more information contact: DataGene (03) 9032 7191 or enquiries@datagene.com.au or www.datagene.com.au

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

26 // IDW PREVIEW

Basin Plan hits dairy hard.

IMPLEMENTATION OF the Murray-Darling

Basin Plan has been one of the most significant factors in Northern Victoria’s dairy industry downturn, according to Cohuna dairy farmer Jodie Hay. At a time when the Australian Dairy Plan is aiming to restore confidence and lift growth in dairying, she believes the importance of improving water policy has never been more essential.

“Twenty years ago, there were 3000 Victorian dairy farmers and now there are fewer than 1000.

This is partly due to ongoing trends, impacts of the millennium drought and two major dairy price crises, however the implementation of the basin plan has been a very significant factor,” Mrs Hay said.

While some Victorian dairy farmers have doubled individual on-farm production, overall state production has halved.

She said her own farm business has increased the irrigated area from 125 ha to 263 ha, cow numbers have increased from 180 to 400 and milk production has peaked at 3.2 million litres — all while still using the same volume of water, 1000 Ml (around half is sourced on the

temporary market).

“We have done this by modernising our irrigation system, improving infrastructure and changing from a pasture-based system to partial, and at times total mixed ration.

"The basin plan and other poor government policy has now made this unaffordable and if Australians want to increase milk production, which is what we need to do, then affordable water must be available for dairy farms."

Mrs Hay said in her area alone, 55 dairy farmers have exited the industry in the last 12 months which has significantly impacted the local community.

She estimated 30 000 dairy cows have gone from Cohuna in the past 12 months meaning $120 million has been lost from local business and the economy.

“You only have to look at the rural towns across northern Victoria and southern NSW to see the challenges faced in the farming community are having a huge effect. And it has a snowball effect, with the remaining dairy farmers at risk of losing services for their businesses as the mass exodus continues."

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Cohuna dairy farmers Colin and Jodie Hay believe the Murray-Darling Basin Plan has contributed to the demise of the Australian dairy industry.

She said remaining irrigators are burdened with the cost of running a reduced system while investors, speculators and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder contribute very little in comparison.

“We have built the world’s most modern irrigation system in our region, but dairy farmers and food producers can no longer afford to put water through it, effectively, the district is full of stranded assets.

“The basin plan has been developed too quickly for businesses to adapt, and the steadfast

refusal of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Governments to be flexible and adaptive — as was promised by politicians — is causing social and economic carnage."

She said the development of large permanent plantings and new green-site irrigation regions in the lower Murray which have led to constraint issues and environmental damage especially around the Barmah Choke.

“All we can do is hope that our politicians wake up and fix this mess before it is too late,” Mrs Hay said.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

IDW PREVIEW // 27

Herd a fan of breezy comfort TEMPERATURES CAN get hot and oppress-

ing in Cowra during the peak of summer, unless you are one of the lucky cows housed in the free stall barn built by dairy farmers Colin and Erina Thompson.

The building of the barn has been a gradual process over the last eight years for the couple but it is now nearing completion.

Initially the sand bedded barn, housed the milking herd but 2.5 years ago it was expanded to include dry cows and pregnant heifers — at any one time it now holds 320 milking cows, 50 dry/ transition cows and about 75 pregnant heifers.

Ventilation, cow comfort and reducing production losses was the number one motivator behind Colin installing 40 55-inch, ECVC fans from Mike Ryan at Eagle Direct.

The fans were wired into the 102 m long, 60 m wide shed two years ago and business hasn’t looked back since. They have made a noticeable difference to cow comfort particularly over the summer months, which in turn has paid dividends in the vat.

There has also been an improvement in reproductive performance, something Colin attributes to improved dry cow comfort.

In spring 2018, the herd peaked at 43 litres and over the following summer only dropped to 41 litres.

“The fans have certainly been a big factor in improving reproduction performance and milk production,” Colin said.

“They have multiple benefits including encouraging the cows to eat more, reducing fly numbers and generally improving all around animal comfort and that is a win for us all.”

Eagle Direct was set up to bring experts and quality products from around the world to the Australian dairy industry.

Mike said the company is happy to assist with feeding, bedding, cow comfort, waste water and effluent management systems.

“We are committed to bringing farmers

Production and fertility has improved on Colin Thompson’s Cowra dairy farm since he installed 40, 55 inch, ECVC fans from Mike Ryan at Eagle Direct.

systems that are tried and tested in Australia and around the world. It was an honour to work with Slivermere on their ventilation upgrade in there freestall barn and I’m delighted with the results they are seeing,” Mike said.

Eagle Direct has also been keeping visitors and cows cool over the duration of International Dairy Week with their ECVC misters and fans.

“The fans have certainly been a big factor in improving reproduction performance and milk production.”

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

28 // MACHINERY

New focus for New Holland IT’S A new year and a new focus for New

Holland Agriculture with the announcement of a new brand leader for the company’s Australian and New Zealand operations.

Former managing director of Iveco Australia/ New Zealand Bruce Healy, will take the reins from February 1 at Sydney’s headquarters.

Bruce has more than 20 years’ experience in the agricultural machinery and transport industries, including more than nine years with CNH Industrial, the parent company of Iveco, New Holland and Case IH, where he was brand leader for seven years prior to moving to Iveco.

CNH industrial managing director — Agriculture for Australia and New Zealand, Brandon Stannett, said it was a good fit for New Holland, given Bruce’s vast knowledge and extensive experience.

“Bruce not only knows CNH Industrial, he

understands our agricultural machinery brands and what’s needed for New Holland to remain an industry leader and continue to build on its reputation for quality and value,” Brandon said.

“With droughts and fires, the agricultural industry has had more than its share of challenges in recent times. However, with the depth of experience Bruce will bring to this position from managing world-class brands, the time is right to refocus and re-invigorate New Holland’s approach to products, services and support.

“I know everyone within New Holland and across the dealer network will be right behind Bruce in helping him drive the brand forward, and building on its strength, profitability and market leadership,” Brandon said.

Bruce said his return to the agricultural machinery sector was a welcome one and getting to know the people at the heart of New Holland’s

New Holland Agriculture has a new brand leader with the appointment of Bruce Healy to the role.

success would be an immediate priority.

“I am looking forward to meeting staff, dealers and customers, as well as gaining a better understanding of our customers’ business and the applications for which they use New Holland products,” he said.

“New Holland is already well-positioned within the market but there’s always scope to

improve on that and set a standard for others to follow.

“There’s no doubt current conditions in many parts of the nation are having an enormous impact on the industry, but with challenges there’s also opportunity and that’s where we’ll be focusing our efforts in the months ahead,” he said.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

MACHINERY // 29

Machinery grants to ease drought burden

The Victorian Government has opened applications for the Farm Machinery Improvement Grants Program.

FARMERS IN the north-west Millewa region

can now apply for a farm machinery grant to help them maintain on-farm machinery and equipment and prepare for future seasons.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes opened applications for the Farm Machinery Improvement Grants Program as part of the Labor Government’s $31.6 m drought assistance package, announced in October.

The program will be delivered by the Victorian Farmers Federation and will provide grants of up to $10 000 to eligible dryland farm businesses in the Millewa and surrounding areas.

Farm owners, operators, sharefarmers or leaseholders can apply for a grant to undertake essential maintenance and repair of machinery including tractors, harvesters, seeders and hay baling equipment — including maintenance and repairs to meet safety standards and repairs to fix or replace broken parts.

VFF president David Jochinke said the funding will assist drought-affected farm businesses to prepare for future seasons.

“The grants will provide much needed assistance for farmers, allowing them to make the necessary preparations for what I hope will be a strong 2020–21 season,” he said.

“Farmers have endured consecutive years of failed seasons, but despite times of hardship, our farmers have been stewards of the land and their animals, maintaining world’s best standards across their farms.

Above: Alan Marx with his Tow and Fert Multi 4000 applying his brew in Taranaki.

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The grants will provide much needed assistance for farmers, allowing them to make the necessary preparations for what I hope will be a strong 2020–21 season.”

“Although the drought is not over, I hope that when the rain returns, the grants will assist farmers in seeing the reward for their hard work during these trying times.”

For more information about the program and to apply for support, visit agriculture.vic. gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.

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Ross McKenzie, Riverton, South Island, Tow and Fert Multi 4000 owner.

“We have cut our fertiliser bill in half in the first year and produced the same amount of grass.”

Miah Smith, Atiamuri, North Island, Tow and Fert Multi 2800 owner.

“There are so many benefits to using a Tow and Fert, but time saving is for us, the biggest.”

Mathew Zonderop, Matamata, North Island, Tow and Fert Multi 1200 owner.

“We have made a significant saving because we are not using the bulky’s to apply our high analysis fertilisers.”

Michael Parks, West Otago, South Island, Tow and Fert Multi 1200 owner.

“I recommend to those in environmentally sensitive catchments to seriously look at a Tow and Fert.”

Alistair Neville, Reporoa, North Island, Tow and Fert Multi 800 owner.

“Dairy farmers looking to get that last inch out of their business, this machine will do it.”

Ben Black, Culverdon, South Island, Tow and Fert Multi 4000 owner.

From small seeds to fertiliser “it’s a magic way to utilise one machine to do a broad spectrum of jobs on the farm.”

Alan Marx, Eltham, North Island, Tow and Fert Multi 4000 owner.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2020

30 // MACHINERY

Ag machinery companies join forces AGRIQUIP MACHINERY has signed an agree-

ment to become part of LandHQ, a leader for John Deere Agricultural Machinery in the Sydney area.

The two companies are passionate about serving the community and will combine their expertise to bring new resources, improved parts and after-market support and a focus on driving value and offering knowledgeable sales and service.

This change is fully supported by John Deere’s ongoing Dealer of Tomorrow strategy, which is designed to strengthen the dealer network and provide long-term stability for both dealers and customers.

For Agriquip Machinery, new ownership means ‘business as usual’ at their Bowral and Queanbeyan locations.

The Dunlop family will also remain heavily involved in strategy and day-to-day management of the business.

“We will work tirelessly with the team at LandHQ and assure our customers that our pricing, product and support procedures will remain unchanged,” AgriQuip Machinery managing director Russell Dunlop said.

“We are excited about the opportunities for growth and innovation and a continuation of being a trusted provider of solutions through Agriquip workshop manager Colin Dunlop, Agriquip general manager Russell Dunlop, Land HQ partner and Hutcheon our product lines.” and Pearce managing director Arron Hutcheon, Agriquip sales specialist Raymond Dunlop, Agriquip dealer principal Phillip Dunlop and LandHQ managing director James Evins. LandHQ has acquired Agriquip Machinery.

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