Dairy News Australia - July 2024

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Strong season and con dent farmers

BY ELIZA REDFERN

AUSTRALIAN DAIRY farmers have been largely insulated from global dairy market pressures throughout the 2023-24 season, as discussed in Dairy Australia’s latest Situation & Outlook report.

A relatively strong milk price, improved weather conditions and overall stable input costs all provided grounds for profitability.

Confidence in the Australian dairy industry is currently in its most stable period in a decade, as outlined by the 2024 National Dairy Farmer Survey.

Despite increased climate and market volatility over the past four years, the proportion of farming businesses feeling positive about the industry’s future has remained relatively steady (68 per cent in 2024) over that time.

Farmers are also feeling positive about their own businesses (83 per cent) and the vast majority are expecting to make an operating profit this season.

Back-to-back profitable seasons have led to a growing number of farming businesses reporting they are in a “stable and happy” position.

Australia’s total milk production for the 2023-24 season is now likely to exceed Dairy Australia’s previous forecast.

Larger-than-expected growth in February of five per cent year-on-year (leap year adjusted), further milk recovery in March despite conditions drying out in many regions, and a return to more average weather will propel national production two to three per cent higher than the 2022-23 season.

Looking ahead to next season, lower farm gate milk prices may lead to more conservative production decisions, especially in the southern export focused regions, while existing challenges around labour and farm exits limit growth more broadly.

As such, Dairy Australia is expecting volumes produced over the 2024-25 season to drop slightly, between zero and one per cent, maintaining a national milk pool around 8.3 billion litres.

The stabilisation of farm input costs may

Source: Dairy Australia

help mitigate pressures during the 2024-25 season.

Rainfall over eastern Australia has subdued demand for feed and water, with hay and grain values remaining below last year in most regions.

In parts of Western Australia, South Australia, and western Victoria, however, conditions have become much drier, with demand and prices for supplementary feed rising above long term averages.

At the consumer end of the supply chain, dairy continues to perform well in retail despite the now-entrenched costsaving  shopping behaviours of Australian households.

The volume sold of cheese, dairy spreads and yoghurts continues to grow, each increasing between one and two per cent in the 12 months to 24 March.

Australian dairy markets may still be under pressure from international product both globally and domestically, but Australia’s imports of overseas dairy products are slowing.

Season-to-date (July to February 2024) import data shows 7.4 per cent less product has crossed the border compared to the same period last season.

Australian buyers have imported similar volumes from New Zealand this season (+0.2

per cent), but shipping challenges around the Red Sea and inflated costs have likely deterred purchasing from Northern Hemisphere exporters (-28.6 per cent from the United States and -10.8 per cent from Europe).

After some initial recovery leading into 2024, global dairy commodity markets are still searching for balance between supply and demand pressures.

Lacklustre demand for dairy continues to limit commodity price increases — especially as importer inventories remain stocked and consumer demand is dampened by economic challenges.

Continuing stagnant global supply over 2024 will therefore likely provide underlying support for dairy export commodity prices in the near term.

Global dairy markets treading water and receding weather challenges for most Australian dairy regions have provided a mild backdrop to a profitable season and sustained farmer confidence.

Linkages to international market realities have re-emerged in new-season milk price announcements; a tighter outlook for margins on farm will impact farmer confidence and ultimately milk production.

Eliza Redfern is Dairy Australia’s Analysis and Insights manager.

Farmers react to milk prices

BY JEANETTE SEVERS

DAIRY FARMERS are reviewing their input costs and setting their budgets for next season against the prices offered by milk processors.

Some farmers are hoping for step-ups during the first half of the year, especially for spring flush milk.

Increasing production, especially of milk solids, seems to be a theme.

Meanwhile, milk processors are also considering their input costs and margins.

In the past two years, Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes has fed high grain ratios because of the milk price offered by Saputo.

“Normally we feed 800 to 1.2 tonnes of grain, because of the comparable grain to milk price return,” he said.

“We increased the amount of grain we bought, and fed 1.8t/cow for this season.

“That milk:grain price ratio will probably change, because of what they’re offering this next season.

“I expect our milk price to go lower, and then we’ll need to feed grain strategically.”

Saputo Dairy Australia’s opening weighted average milk price for the 2024-25 season is $8 to 8.15/kg MS, with a growth payment on milk solids of $0.70/kg MS.

SDA’s opening offer is a significant step down from an average $9/kg MS at the start of the 2023-24 season.

“If we have a good season for grass growth and silage production, the milk:grain price will be irrelevant,” Mick said.

Kellie Gardiner, from Catani, milks alongside her parents and sister on a three-generation dairy farm.

The farm is still owned and managed by her grandfather, which limits her decisions about how to increase production.

They are also once-a-day milkers, supplying Bulla Dairy Foods.

“Bulla has offered us less than we’d like,” Kellie said.

The company’s opening price ranged from $7.85 to $8.65/kg MS, compared to last year’s opening of $8.80 to $9.60/kg MS.

Kellie and her sister milk a herd bred for production, containing one-third Jersey cows, one-third Friesian cows and one-third mixed.

To offset the lower price, Kellie has recently been buying extra cows to increase volume, both in total production and of milk solids.

She purchased in-calf Jersey and Holstein cows at a recent dispersal sale at Koonwarra VLE.

Shaun and Sharna Cope recently purchased a dairy farm at Meeniyan, and have been milking for Lactalis for the past few weeks.

They haven’t decided which milk processor to sign with.

The couple were sharefarming with his parents for many years, but after the farm was sold a couple of years ago, they took some time off, raising and selling heifers.

They are now new entries to the dairy industry and started milking on June 7, after buying 22 Holsteins in-milk that day.

They purchased another 20 cows in-milk on June 8. All are in-calf to sexed semen and due to dry off at the end of June, to begin calving in late July.

Shaun and Sharna have also been buying springing heifers in-calf to sexed semen, including 19 Holsteins in May from a combined sale of cattle from Rowan Foote at Fish Creek and the Lancey family from Poowong.

“We had already bought enough heifers, so we were looking for cows to buy,” Shaun said.

“The heifers have just started calving, so we’ll carry milking through after we dry off the cows.

“We’ll push these heifers back next year to calve in July, so everything will be in sync.”

Shaun said a lot of their decision about which milk processor to supply in the 202425 season depended on what bonuses were on offer.

“We’re supplying milk to Lactalis in June and

weighing up our options,” he said.

“We want to know the price, but also what bonuses and incentives are on offer.”

In particular, Shaun and Sharna are looking for incentives from milk processors that demonstrate support for young farmers and new entries to the dairy industry.

Established dairy farmers Danny Salter and Robert Griffiths are looking to increase their milk solids to offset a price drop.

They own Barringa Jersey stud at Kerang and supply Australian Consolidated Milk.

“ACM has offered $8/kg MS and then a bonus if we sign with them for two years,” Robert said.

“We’ve committed to two years.”

ACM, based at Girgarre in northern Victoria, announced a price range of $7.80 to $8.20/ kg MS.

“To offset the drop in price, we’re improving production in the herd, and increasing the quantity of milk solids,” Robert said.

Danny and Robert recently purchased 10 Jersey cows in-calf to add to their existing genetics, and increase their quantity of milk solids.

“These new cows duplicate some of the proven genetics we already own,” Robert said.

“We hope ACM will step up their offer through the year to at least $8.50/kg MS.”

Robert and Danny also use irrigation to grow sorghum and millet crops to graze for milk production and harvest.

Pressure along the supply chain is affecting everyone in the Australian milk industry.

This includes growing imports of dairy products, available at lower prices to consumers at the retail level.

ACM executive chairman Michael Auld said increased imports and volatile markets were affecting the returns to processors.

He is one of many making the same claim.

SDA milk supply and planning director Kate Ryan said Saputo’s opening milk price was contingent on global market volatility and subdued demand for locally grown and manufactured food products.

Bulla Dairy Foods chief executive officer Allan Hood spent several weeks meeting suppliers on their farms before announcing the company’s price for the next season. He said there was a gap between what farmers expected and what the company was able to pay. Both parties were affected by input costs.

Consumer choice, increased imports of dairy products and supermarket margins all added pressure to dairy processors, which they carried through to farmers.

Allan said this year had seen an unprecedented increase in input costs, shifts in consumer behaviour towards buying more imported products and increased competition from imported dairy foods.

“We can’t influence the global price of dairy products, and in the categories Bulla is in, retailers import cheaper products,” he said.

“Bulla — like other local processors — can continue to promote our products and our brands, telling our story.

“But the industry needs to work together to raise awareness about the increasing quantities of imported products on the market, being sold at lower prices, and how that affects locally made dairy products.”

Continued on page 9

Danny Griffith and Robert Salter from Kerang have signed a two-year contract with ACM to earn bonuses.

Mick Hughes, from Inverloch, uses the farm gate milk price to calculate how much grain he feeds his milking herd.

No movement in milk prices

BY GEOFF ADAMS

FONTERRA AUSTRALIA, Bega Cheese and Saputo Dairy Australia had not moved from their opening price of about $8/kg MS, at the time Dairy News Australia went to press.

Under the Dairy Code of Conduct all processors were expected to have their milk supply agreements published by June 1, and must nominate a minimum price by July 1.

EastAUSmilk president Joe Bradley said the foreshadowed prices were extremely disappointing.

“The vast majority of Australian milk is sold domestically including around a third going into milk bottles,” he said.

“So it is hard to understand the obsession of some milk processors and Australian Dairy Products Federation on exports and using this to drive down farm prices.

“Farmers in Victoria and other areas which are on one-year contracts will bear the brunt of lower milk prices in addition to the very dry conditions in Victoria and other areas.

“Most dairy farmers in Queensland and NSW are on two- to five-year contracts that do not expire until at least mid next year.

“So in the short term prices will not change for most of our farmers.

“However, the lower prices announced will send a shiver down the spine of dairy farmers everywhere.

“Any farmers who are off contract need to shop around and compare prices from all processors.”

Farmers trying to get the best deal for their milk had some decisions to make, the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria suggests.

UDV president Bernie Free said the notional, average $8/kg MS price would not be the actual price that every farmer would receive.

“Make sure you are happy with the contract you are offered before you sign up,” he said.

Mr Free said farmers should also consider looking at other processors to see if they were getting maximum value from their milk supply curve.

However, Mr Free warned that farmers considering changing their supply curve by calving down at different times of the year, should carefully examine the costs, before making the switch.

Farmers wanting to stay viable had the option of switching their land use to something else, “because at the opening prices we are not going to see much growth in milk production”.

Dairy Farmers Victoria president Mark Billing said he suspected some farmers would be culling the worst performers in the herd to reduce costs and generate some income.

“With these prices I know some farmers

NORCO BUCKS THE MILK PRICE TREND

NSW dairy co-operative Norco has bucked the trend in farm gate milk prices by announcing it is holding its record high price for this coming season’s opening.

Norco chief executive officer Michael Hampson said the co-operative was offering an average milk price of 89.5¢/litre for the company’s northern NSW and Queensland farmers.

“Despite much conjecture regarding milk price reductions and downward pressures facing the market, Norco ... is pleased to be able to maintain its record high milk price due to the ongoing support received from loyal customers,” Mr Hampson said. He said despite the challenging economic environment, these pricing decisions represented a continued commitment by the co-operative to actively support its 281 farmer members in any way it can.

“Norco will continue to review options over the course of the year to increase milk prices to our farmers, as we have demonstrated in previous years by improving our price after the season has commenced.” What the processors are o ering For hundreds of other farmers, the prices being offered by other major processors are up to $1/kg MS less than last year’s opening minimum (at June 24, as Dairy News Australia went to print).

Saputo Dairy Australia has announced its opening weighted average milk price of $8 to $8.15/kg MS for exclusive supply in the 2024-25 season. SDA opened about $9/kg MS last year.

Fonterra has dropped its opening price to $8/kg, compared to last year’s opening at $9.20/kg.

Bega Cheese has announced a price range of $7.90 to $8.20/kg MS.

Bulla Dairy Foods will open with $7.85 to $8.65/kg MS, compared to last year’s opening of $8.80 to $9.60/kg MS.

Burra Foods announced its minimum farm gate milk price would range between $8 and $8.50/kg MS, compared to $8.90 to $9.40/ kg MS last year.

ACM has announced a forecasted price range of $7.80 to $8.20/kg MS, while the Kyvalley Dairy Group has a base price for conventional milk starting at 50¢/litre. Both are based in northern Victoria.

Processors are citing declining commodity prices for the reason behind their lower opening milk prices.

But farmers say the processors can’t expect milk volume to continue to rise at those prices, and their lobby groups say the price drops will continue to place extreme pressure on producers, forcing many to reconsider their future in the industry.

have already gone to their spreedsheets and said to themselves: that’s $1 or 10 to 15 per cent off last year,” Mr Billing said.

NSW Farmers Dairy Committee chair Phil Ryan said these prices were a fresh hit to farmers already grappling with huge pressures on production, from labour shortages and interest rates to fuel costs and electricity prices.

“Other sources of income for dairy farmers are also drying up, with low cattle prices and an export heifer market — which has supported many in the industry over the past decade — now almost non-existent,” he said.

“The cost of these milk price cuts is likely to exceed $600 million in the next financial year, and this will have huge flow-on effects in our regional economies and communities, with job losses already being reported.”

Stay up-to-date with milk price news at:

www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au

Norco will hold its record high price for the 2024-25 season.

The new masters of breeding

FARMERS FROM Tasmania and southwest Victoria have been added to the Jersey Australia Master Breeder honour board.

Merseybank Jerseys owned by Geoff and Anne Heazelwood from Latrobe on the Mersey River in north-west Tasmania, and Paul and Lynette Lenehan from Murray Brook Jerseys from Crossley in south-west Victoria are the new inclusions.

Merseybank was started in 1954 by Anne’s grandparents and parents and has been run by Geoff and Anne since 1980.

The stud has produced Tasmanian State Dairy winners, an Intermediate Champion at International Dairy Week and Champion and Reserve Champions in Jersey Australia’s Great Southern Challenge.

For five successive years in the challenge, Merseybank Eltons Claire was either champion or reserve champion; something no other cow has achieved.

Last year, Merseybank was second to the overall champion in the Great Southern with Lemon Trickle.

Merseybank has bred three Jersey elite brood cows, 56 Jersey elite production cows and four Jersey elite type cows.

Geoff said he had always followed the policy of breeding “a cow that gives the greatest amount of milk over the longest period of time for the least trouble”.

He said he was humbled by the honour.

“You don’t expect it, but I do value it. Jersey cows have been good to us and you can go anywhere in Australia and talk cows,” Geoff said.

Murray Brook Jerseys was founded in 2000 with Paul building on a strong herd started decades earlier by his father Patrick.

Although his son Adam now manages most parts of the farm business, Paul keeps the reins of the breeding program and remains committed and passionate about developing good cows.

His breeding goals haven’t changed much over time.

“I’ve always wanted a big-bodied cow with capacity to eat a lot of feed and produce a lot of milk, and she had to have a good udder to carry that and to last in the herd for a long time.”

Murray Brook cows have the Great Southern Challenge and has produced four cows classified as excellent 93.

AWARD SURPRISES JERSEY LEADER

Jersey Australia’s new life member Lisa Broad hopes her contribution to the industry will inspire the next generation of farmers.

Lisa’s extensive contribution to Jersey Australia includes being a board member since 2010, vice-president 2018-20 and president since 2021, promotions chair 2012-16 and genetics chair 2017-20.

She was a Jersey Australia classifier from 1995-2022, has been a Jersey Australia member since 1986 and has given extensive service to Northern Districts Jersey Breeders Club in executive roles.

Lisa, alongside her husband Lynton, was named a Master Breeder in 2023 for their Broadlin Jersey Stud based at Wonthaggi in Victoria’s South Gippsland.

Lisa said she hoped to set a good example for others wanting to become farmers.

“When I started, there were a number of people who encouraged me to continue with my dream of being a dairy farmer, so I want to do the same thing to give other

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young people the opportunity to stay in the industry,” she said.

“I want to help keep it a place where people want to be involved.”

Lisa said she was surprised by the honour.

“When you’re doing these things, you don’t recognise that people might appreciate what you do,” she said.

“You don’t do it for personal recognition, you do it for the breed and the people that

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are going to come along after you, but being recognised liken this makes it even more worthwhile.”

Lisa said the people involved with Jersey Australia had become “an extended family”.

“You can pick up the phone no matter where you are, and they are there for you, and it’s like you had coffee with them yesterday. They are a special group of people.”

Lisa said she was overwhelmed and surprised by the honour.

“I’m not a spotlight person, but I do appreciate it,” she said.

She said she was forever grateful for her family’s support in allowing her time to fulfil the Jersey Australia duties.

Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said the life membership accolade was “just recognition for an outstanding contribution to the breed”.

“Lisa is an outstanding leader and contributor to Jersey Australia as a member, classifier, and through her service to the

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“I’ve always been a commercial breeder and this recognition is very much appreciated,” Paul said.

Murray Brook has bred one Jersey elite bull, 40 Jersey elite production cows and two Jersey elite type cows.

The Master Breeder awards were introduced last year to recognise breeding excellence over the past 20 years and the commitment of farmers to the breed.

The inaugural Master Breeders announced last year were: Wilson family’s Shirlinn Jerseys from Tamworth NSW; Geoff and Natalie Akers’ Loxleigh Jerseys from Tallygaroopna in northern Victoria; Kuhne family’s Bushlea Jerseys from Koonwarra, Gippsland, Victoria; Bacon family’s Brookbora Jerseys from Tennyson in northern Victoria; Alan and Janine Carson’s Cairnbrae Jerseys from Colac in Western Victoria; Lynton and Lisa Broad’s Broadlin Jerseys from Wonthaggi, Gippsland; Rob and Kerrie Anderson’s Kings Ville Jerseys from Drouin West, Victoria; Nicholson family’s Jugiong Jerseys from Girgarre, northern Victoria; Luke and Mel Wallace’s Wallacedale Jerseys from Warragul, Victoria; Sprunt family’s Kaarmona Jerseys from Kaarimba, northern Victoria.

Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said the Master Breeder award required breeders to have been a Jersey Australia  member for at least 20 years and to register 25 animals a year on average across those 20 years, along with producing elite brood, type and production cows and elite bulls.

board over the past 14 years,” Glen said. Lisa was re-elected as president at Jersey Australia’s annual general meeting recently.

Two breed stalwarts, Bill Cochrane and Pat Nicholson, were presented with Distinguished Service Awards at the 2024 Jersey Australia awards recently in Shepparton.

Bill has served on the Jersey Victoria Board and as a classifier and class tour coordinator as well as being an outstanding servant to the Northern District Jersey Breeders Club for many years, ensuring the club’s continued activity and success.

Bill, from Girgarre, west of Shepparton, has also been a great servant to the Northern District Jersey Breeders Club as well as Jersey Australia as a classifier and on the genetics committee and show ring ethics committee.

He is a great supporter of dairy youth as a youth camp and judging mentor.

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.

Jersey Australia’s new life member Lisa Broad.

The new Jersey Australia Master Breeders are Paul Lenehan and Anne and Geoff Heazelwood.

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Jersey sale tops at $30,000

BY JEANETTE SEVERS

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD cow sold at $30,000, an unjoined heifer sold at $12,000 and an unborn calf sold at $7200, at the Brookbora Jerseys’ 60th anniversary invitational elite sale, hosted by the Bacon family on May 28.

The farm, at Tennyson, this year celebrates 60 years since the Brookbora herd was registered by the Bacon family. For 40 of those years, the late Robert (Bert) steered the breeding of the herd.

His legacy continues with widow Sandra and son Daniel, who this year achieved Premier Exhibitor and Breeder for Brookbora Jerseys for the fifth year in succession at International Dairy Week.

Sandra Bacon, co-principal of Brookbora Jerseys, said the sale reflected the work undertaken by Bert and their son, Daniel, to build the integrity of the herd and the farm.

The Bacon family milks 300 head on 283 irrigated hectares and the herd is consistently in the top one per cent for Balanced Performance Index (BPI) for Australian Jerseys.

For the past three decades, Brookbora Jerseys has held Jersey Australia’s Plantinum Production award.

The Brookbora invitational sale included 45 cattle from their own herd and 29 lots from outside vendors. The sale was held during a tour of farms in northern Victoria organised by Jersey Australia and prior to the organisation’s AGM.

Daniel Bacon said the idea for having an invitational sale occurred at the announcement of the inaugural Master Breeders.

“What stood out for me, talking with the other breeders, was how many of those animals went back to some great foundational cow families,” he said.

“We wanted to make this a compelling event for our breed, to celebrate Australian Jerseys and really showcase what our breed has to offer the business. And we wanted to include our Jersey friends in this celebration.”

Deep pedigrees that combine very high production, major show champions and considerable sire lines saturated the line-up of cattle on offer.

Several lots recently won at the Sydney Royal Show and the Gippsland, northern Victoria and South Australian autumn fairs. There were also daughters on offer from International Dairy

and Intermediate Champion Cow, Brookbora Oliver Sleeping Beauty 3.

The sale also included daughters of Brookbora Eileen 130, which achieved Senior Champion Cow, and of Brookbora Vanahlem Enchantress, which was awarded Reserve Champion status in the Senior Cow class.

“The Brookbora principals have left no stone unturned to sell their absolute best breeding lines,” said Brian Leslie, selling agent with Dairy Livestock Services.

“Then they have gone out and selected the cream of the crop from all invited vendors, from right around Australia,” he said.

“The Jersey breed is fortunate to have folk like the Bacons, who continue to contribute to the betterment of the breed and the dairy community.”

Sale top was the buyer’s choice of Lot 1A or 1B. Lot 1A was Brookbora Casino Sandy EX92, a five-year-old, A2/A2, due to calve September to Brookbora Bushfield P. She was reserve senior champion at NSW State Show 2023.

Lot 1B was Brookbora Bashful Sweet Elfa P VG88, a 2.5-year-old, due to calve in August to Loxleigh Izuku Ventura.

John Lindsay, of Hastings Jerseys, Huntingdon, NSW, topped the bidding at $30,000 and chose Lot 1A.

He also purchased Lot 25, the five-year-old Brookbora Dainty 310 EX93 at $15,000, and paid $10,000 for Lot 27 Brookbora Standard Lady 324 EX91.

Lot 72, Brookbora Golden Glory 194 EX92, sold at $18,500 to the Koch family, Ashtaney Jerseys, Moculta, South Australia.

The 2024 Intermediate Champion from the Gippsland Jersey Fair, the three-year-old Brookbora Oliver Sleeping Beauty 3 EX90, sold as Lot 9 for $16,000, to Craigielea Jerseys, of Bamawm.

The number one gBPI heifer in the Jersey breed, Craigielea Vicky 6682, sold as Lot 17 at $16,000 to Jugiong Jerseys and Dr Mitch Crawford. She is a daughter of the number one BPI cow.

Jugiong Jerseys also paid $10,000 for the four-year-old cow, Lot 12, Brookbora Love Lies 804 EX90.

Jugiong Jerseys also sold Lot 20, Jugiong Daydream 8926, a calf, at $8000.

Lot 63, Brookbora ASKN Countess 2 VG88 Max, a two-year-old, sold at $14,500 to Rocky Allan, Rockstar Jerseys of Cobargo, NSW.

The team involved with

for and

Wanstead FCG Fernleafs Flame ET, a winter calf, A2A2, for $8000. This calf was put up by the consortium of R. & A. Heath, M. & L. Flemming and C. Moscript.

Jackiah Jerseys also sold Lot 50, Jackiah Victorious Silverbelle 3196 VG87, a three-yearold and in-calf to Ventura-P (sexed), at $13,000. She was purchased by the Watts family of Pyree, NSW.

The Watts family also spent $12,000 to purchase Lot 11, the two-year-old Brookbora Love Lies 839 VG87, who milked 400kg-plus of butter fat in her first lactation.

The same buyer purchased Lot 49, Warrion Canary 356, VG86 as a two-year-old, for $10,000.

Brookbora Jerseys purchased the western Victoria-bred cow, Lot 22, Lerida Park Matt Sabina 73 EX91 Max, for $14,000. She was entered into the sale by the Smethurst family, Princetown.

Brookbora Jerseys also purchased Lot 18, Shirlinn Roulette Dawn 2 ET, at $11,000. She is a winner from the Sydney Royal Show.

Lot 19, Araluen Park Starlord Molly 2 VG86 on her first lactation, a young cow with a BPI of +371 and in-calf to Big Red (sexed), sold at $13,000 to G. & N. Akers, Loxleigh Jerseys, Tallygaroopna.

The vendors of this young cow, Trevor Saunders and Anthea Day of Araluen Park, Yarragon, purchased Lot 32, Brookbora Standard Lady 366 P, in-calf to Ventura-P (sexed), for $9000.

Rob and Kerrie Anderson, Kings Ville Jerseys, Drouin West, paid $12,000 for Lot 26, Langdale Grant Rosella ET VG87 and on her first lactation, sent in by D. & A. Mathews. The Andersons also purchased Lot 36, Miami Tripp Elsie 7406 ET, for $5000.

R. Wilson, of Jamber Jerseys, NSW, purchased Lot 21, Brookbora Woodside Charo, an unjoined heifer, at $12,000.

Lot 48, Brookbora Craze Flora EX91, sold at $10,000 to Marks Bros, Winvarl Jerseys,

DIET OF CHAMPIONS

Dorrigo, NSW.

The Canadian Avonlea prefix owners paid $10,000 for Lot 5, Brookbora Love Lies 900-P, for their breeding program. She is a daughter of Brookbora Love Lies 723 EX94.

Lot 74, and the final lot of the sale, was the buyer’s choice of an unborn calf, from embryos out of Brookbora Tbone Bonita 2 EX94 joined to Big Red.

Due in late July, Brookbora Jerseys will raise the calves to weaning, at which the buyer would make their selection. The choice of calf sold at $7200 to Kyle Barker, KYGA Genetics, Panmure, in western Victoria.

Lot 2B, the buyer’s choice of four July 2024 born heifers, out of embryo matches between Wanstead FCG Fernleafs Fantasy ET and Audibel Jordan ET, sold at $5000. These heifers have dam and sire lines that include Bushlea and Avonlea genetics.

Brian Leslie said this sale would go down in history as one of the great Jersey events of all time in Australia.

He said presentation of all sale lots and the sale facilities on-farm at Brookbora were outstanding and a great credit to all involved.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the depth of the animals on offer today,” he said.

“We have got an amazing group of animals on show here.”

Buyers were from nearly all states of Australia, apart from Western Australia, and from Canada and New Zealand.

The sale average was $7600, with a gross, from 70 head, of $531,800.

Twenty-eight cows averaged $10,445, 16 joined heifers averaged $6625, 24 unjoined heifers averaged $5250, and two unborn calves averaged $6100.

A bull sale was held online on the same day, with 15 Brookbora sires available.

preparing

organising the Brookbora Jerseys’ 60th anniversary invitational sale, including (back) co-principals Daniel and Sandra Bacon and auctioneer Brian Leslie. Photo supplied by Brian Leslie.

Lot 1A was Brookbora Casino Sandy EX92, a five-year-old, A2/A2, due to calve September to Brookbora Bushfield P. John Lindsay, of Hastings Jerseys, Huntingdon NSW, topped the bidding at $30,000 to purchase this cow.

Photo: Bradley Cullen.

Farmers react to milk prices

Continued from page 4

Allan said unregulated imports had a detrimental effect on Australia’s food security.

Gippsland Jersey co-founder Steve Ronalds said Coles Group had recently advised the company it would no longer stock its milk, unless a larger margin was available from the boutique milk processor before the end of June.

“This decision by Coles overlooks the broader impact on family farms and rural communities, which depend on the viability of local dairy businesses to provide jobs and give consumers choice,” Steve said.

“Australia is home to around 26 independent milk brands.

“Many brands [on the supermarket shelf] are owned by multi-national companies.

“Brands like Great Ocean Road, Devondale and Sungold are owned by Canadian company Saputo. Pauls’ brands are under French multinational Parmalat.”

In recent years, Coles has pivoted its company from being retail-centric to deal directly with dairy farmers at the farm gate.

The Coles company also owns its own milk processing factories, and has a cooperative agreement with Saputo for its milk processing.

Advancing management of grass based pastures

ProGibb SG increases Dry Matter per ha

ProGibb SG increases carrying capacity

ProGibb SG reduces supplementary feeding

ProGibbSGincreasesprofitabilityfrompasture

No withholding period and no residues in either meat or milk

ProGibb SG can be utilised in all pasture based systems including fat lamb, beef, dairy, equine, deer and goat operations

Gippsland Jersey supplies milk to Coles supermarkets.

“Coles is a very big business, and in reality, their systems and processes don’t really support small brands like ours, despite our best efforts to fit in and meet their targets,”

Gippsland Jersey co-founder Sallie Jones.

“We can’t give them the margin they need for their spreadsheet.

“Our milk and other dairy products cost more because we pay our farmers a fair price.”

Winter and spring are vital months for balancing pasture growth and providing quality feed for meat and milk production.

Sumitomo Chemical Australia Pty Ltd has trialled ProGibb SG in commercial situations since 2004 demonstrating increases in grass pasture production can be achieved during winter months.

ProGibb SG applied to pasture during winters coolest months will stimulate pasture growth and increases dry matter per hectare with no loss of feed quality (megajoules ME per kilogram of dry matter).

Kellie Gardiner, from Catani, with her mother Tracey Gardiner, are increasing production to cope with the lower farm gate milk price.

New entries into dairy farm ownership, Sharna and Shaun Cope with their children Trey, 9, Jett, 7 and Arli, 4, from Meeniyan, are looking for incentives from milk processors.

Gippsland Jersey co-founder Steve Ronalds and Bulla Dairy Foods CEO Allan Hood said global pressures on the Australian dairy industry risked domestic food security.

Holbrook NSW – 20 g/ha (18 DAT)

Holbrook NSW – 10 g/ha (18 DAT) Holbrook NSW – Untreated (18 DAT)

Ardomona VIC – Pasture: Annual Ryegrass (27 DAT)

Milk fuels elite athletes

BY GEOFF ADAMS

CHAMPION SWIMMER Col Pearse enjoys a cold drink after training, but you may be surprised at his choice.

“Growing up on a dairy farm in Echuca, Victoria, my drink of choice has always been milk after a long day of training — whether that was running around on the local footy field, or after a big day of swimming,” Col, 20, said.

“I’m able to get more out of my performance when drinking milk at the right moments, such as straight after intense training sessions.”

When every second counts in the pool, it’s important that he fuels his body with nutritious food like dairy.

“There’s nothing more I look forward to than my cold chocolate milk after training,” Col said, while promoting World Milk Day on June 1 for Dairy Australia.

“And knowing that milk is naturally fuelling my body with the nutrients I need to recover makes it just that much better.”

Australian Women’s Rugby League captain Kezie Apps says growing up on a generational dairy farm in Bega, NSW, dairy has always been a big part of her diet, even more so now that she is a professional athlete.

“Getting milk, cheese or yoghurt in my daily diet has always been ingrained in me, and especially now as a professional athlete, it forms a massive part of my sports nutrition,” Kezie said.

“Rugby league is a high contact sport so it’s important for my muscles to recover and repair quickly.

“Drinking a glass of milk that’s packed with protein straight after a training session or game really helps with that. It also naturally contains electrolytes making it perfect for rehydration.”

Col is the son of Teena and Julian Pearse from Bamawm Extension, near Echuca, who run a 500-cow dairy farm.

A few years ago, Col, who lost his foot in an accident with a mower, moved to Melbourne to ramp up his training regime and with his eye on the major international event, the Paralympics.

At the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in London, he won the bronze medal in the men’s 100m butterfly S10 and sixth in the men’s 100m backstroke S10 and men’s 200m individual medley.

At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, Col won the bronze medal in the men’s 100m butterfly S10 with a time of 57:66, three seconds slower than the gold medal winner Maksym Krypak of Ukraine who set a world record.

Col competed in the men’s 200m individual medley SM10 and made the final where he finished fourth.

Dairy News Australia spoke to Col as he was preparing for the selection trials in Brisbane where the Paris Paralympic squad was chosen.

“I’m really confident, the training I have done is the hardest I have ever done in my career. I’m older and stronger than I was a year ago,” he said.

“The goal for me is to get onto the podium.”

The 50 to 60km a week Col has been swimming paid off that trials, and he has been

selected to represent Australia at the Paris Paralympic Games in August.

Sixth-generation dairy farmer Sarah Kelly sees first-hand the positive impact the dairy community has in her Gippsland community.

“World Milk Day is a good reminder for all Australian dairy farmers to recognise the importance the industry has on feeding the nation, and the importance of milk and its health benefits,” Sarah said.

“To celebrate World Milk Day, I’ll be milking a whole lot of cows with pride!

“I’m so proud to be working in an industry that makes a difference.”

Col Pearse enjoys a drop of moo juice.

Sixth-generation dairy farmer Sarah Kelly.

Swimmer Col Pearse after his return from the World Para Championships.

Research targets pastures

UNIVERSITY OF Sydney researchers have found that 8kg of the total carbon dioxide emitted each day by the average cow was immediately taken up by a hectare of dairy pasture system.

These 8kg represent 73 per cent of the production from each cow.

These findings are part of a Dairy UP and NSW Environment Protection Authority partnership project investigating greenhouse gases on NSW dairy farms and identifying and evaluating options for carbon neutral dairy production.

Dairy UP project leader Professor Luciano Gonzalez said dairy customers and the broader community wanted dairy to have the least impact on the environment.

He said these findings were very encouraging, but needed more detailed understandings of the full benefit.

“To reduce emissions, the industry needs to accurately understand the production and removal of GHG and how different management practices and farming systems affect output and carbon sequestration,” Prof Luciano said.

“This project will help NSW dairy meet industry emissions reduction targets and also fill knowledge gaps within the industry, to enable dairy farmers to estimate their farm’s emissions with increased accuracy, while providing practical ways to decrease emissions and increase carbon uptake.”

This project is using the Australian Dairy

Carbon Calculator and the Dairy Greenhouse Gas Accounting Framework and has included a global literature review — examining studies from across the world — as well as on-farm trials and monitoring studies.

Trials at the University of Sydney Camden research farm are measuring the flows of GHG from different pasture types and management practices.

The GHG are measured using eight chambers and a greenhouse gas analyser.

Their findings indicate that dairy cows emit

about 11kg CO2e cow/day, mainly as methane. Of this, the early results indicate that every hectare of pasture, on average, was taking up about 8kg CO2 e cow/day from the atmosphere.

The uptake may be in additional pasture growth or sequestered in the roots and then soil.

“We want to test the idea that the 73 per cent of the carbon dioxide emitted from a cow each day is part of a carbon cycle and taken up by the pastures.”

Further evidence for the cycle comes from studies of the soil carbon.

The Dairy UP project is collecting up to 120 soil samples per farm from 10 participant farms to analyse soil organic carbon.

Prof Luciano said these data would tell dairy farmers and researchers about the “carbon capital” stored in the soil which will help establish a greenhouse gas emission baseline and provide insight into how different pastures, crops and management practices affect soil carbon.

Initial findings from the University of Sydney Camden farm showed native pasture had the highest soil organic carbon at 4.8 per cent.

This contrasts with findings from the soil and landscape grid of Australia maps which estimated the native pastures would have the lowest soil organic carbon.

“The analysis showed the lowest soil organic carbon area at the Camden property was the cropping paddocks at 1.2 per cent,” Prof Luciano said.

“The rye-grass and Kikuyu pastures sat at about three per cent soil organic carbon.”

Diets of dairy cattle have also been examined, as part of this project, to understand how this affects the production of GHG from feed.

Dairy Australia has pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of the Australian dairy industry to 30 per cent less than 2015 levels by 2030.

“These results are encouraging, but there will be more findings to come that should help us meet those goals,” Prof Gonzalez said. For more information, visit: https://www.dairyup.com.au

Dairy UP researchers are measuring the kilograms of greenhouse gas emitted or taken up by different pasture types and management practices to help the industry understand its baseline emissions.

Cows in-milk are in demand

BY JEANETTE SEVERS

WITH THEIR farm gate prices known, and a significant drop in milk price offered by most milk processors in Australia, buyers were looking for cows in-milk at the Faith dispersal sale, held at Koonwarra VLE on June 7.

Also at the sale, a 10-year-old boy purchased his first dairy cow.

About 200 registered Jersey and commercial Holstein cows and heifers, all in calf and many to sexed semen, were on offer at the Gippsland sale.

The vendor, Vince Younger, has been a dairy farmer in the Goulburn Valley, western Victoria and Gippsland.

He sold most of his milking herd at the dispersal sale held at Koonwarra VLE on June 7, including his entire Jersey stud herd.

His remaining heifers will sell at a future sale.

Many of Vince Younger’s Jersey cows were bought at other sales, including a run of Cairnbrae in-calf cows that he purchased as heifers.

Top price of $4600 was paid for Warrain Jeronimo Roma 2, a rising-four-year-old cow due in September to Victorious.

She was purchased by Robert Salter and Danny Griffiths of Barringa Jerseys, Kerang, who were after an injection of proven genetics into the herd, to increase their milk solids production.

Robert and Danny purchased 10 in-calf stud Jersey cows at the sale.

Among their purchases were Warrain David Nellie for $4500, Apollo Love Lies 2 at $4000, Warrain Apollo Dream at $4000, and Cairnbrae Quins Melanie, for $4000.

Also among the volume buyers were Helena Brown, who purchased 13 Jersey cows, investing her own equity in the herd she milks for a dairy farmer at Jindavick.

Graeme Cochrane, from Barrengarry NSW, in the Kangaroo Valley, purchased several young cows, paying to a top of $4000 for Cairnbrae Bernies Benita.

Simon Egan and Belinda Reid, from Jackiah Jerseys, were also looking to supplement their genetics.

Among their purchases was Warrain Valentino Empress 22, pregnancy-tested-in-calf, at $2500.

Cooper Morris of Lance Creek selected the equal second-top priced cow, Warrain Invincible Love Lies 4, paying $4500.

This was the first cow purchased in 10-yearold Cooper’s dream to own a herd; he paid for the cow from his savings, earned from

The 53 registered Jerseys averaged $2420.

The bulk of the remaining milking herd were commercial Holstein and crossbred cows, with some spring-calving heifers.

Top price paid was $3200 for a rising threeyear-old Holstein, sired by MVP and due to calve down in spring. She was purchased by a local bidder.

Another rising three-year-old Holstein heifer sold at $3000. She was sired by Uno and due to calve in August to MVP.

A Holstein heifer, born July 2021, sired by MVP and in-calf to Handpick to calve in August, sold at $2900.

Another Holstein heifer, also rising-threeyear-old, sired by Fever and due to calve in July to Uno, sold at $2700.

A three-year-old Holstein heifer, second-calving, sired by Shampoo and due to calve in August, to Uno, sold at $2600.

Among the volume buyers of commercial Holstein cows were the Cope family from Meeniyan, Owen family from Driffield and Mapleson family from Lang Lang.

Kevin and Alex Mapleson bought 10 head, and Sam Owen and family purchased 18 cattle.

Shaun and Sharna Cope, from Meeniyan, have returned to dairy farming after a two-year hiatus, purchasing their new farm just outside Meeniyan.

They bought 22 Holstein in-calf cows in-milk, and are looking to grow their herd rapidly.

172 lots sold for a gross of $321,800. A run of late-calving heifers had limited demand and were set aside to sell at a later date.

Auctioneer was Brian Leslie from Dairy Livestock Services.

“All the Holsteins were spring calving, right at the end of their lactation and ready to be dried off,” Brian said.

Bidders in person and online, facilitated through Stocklive, were from Victoria and NSW.

jobs around the farm. Love Lies 4 is in-calf to Victorious.

Overall,

Vince Younger sold most of his milking herd at a dispersal sale on June 7.

Among the bidders were Kevin and Alex Mapleson, from Lang Lang, and Sam Owen and her daughter Jess, who farm at Driffield. The Mapleson family bought 10 commercial Holstein cows, and the Owen family purchased 18 cattle.

Kaylee Morris and her children, Cooper, 7 and Emily, 4, with Jon Younger, who travelled from Perth to support his brother, the vendor, Vince Younger.

Cooper Morris, 10, has started his dairy farming career, paying $4500 to purchase his first cow.

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Linking up NSW dairy

GRO RURAL, in collaboration with NSW DPI and Dairy NSW, has unveiled the GRO Rural Dairy Registry.

The registry is designed to connect NSW dairy farmers with dairy providers based on relevant factors such as location, service and experience.

“Dairy farmers have often spoken of the difficulty of finding local service providers to support their businesses,” Dairy NSW regional manager Paul Van Wel said.

“The GRO Rural Dairy Registry aims to make that process easier for the industry to connect to the right support.”

Not only is finding the right person an issue for dairy farmers, professionals in dairy have often remained isolated, relying solely on word of mouth.

The GRO Rural Dairy Registry addresses this challenge by providing a centralised hub featuring convenient and regularly updated contact information for NSW dairy businesses and support services.

This registry allows smaller businesses or contractors the same visibility as the large corporations.

Dairy professionals — including veterinarians, nutritionists, consultants, agronomists and more — can showcase their expertise, availability and location on the GRO Rural website for dairy-related organisations to easily connect with.

The Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program (SFIRP) identified that NSW dairy farmers and stakeholders required a more connected network, with easy access to dairy-specific service providers.

“We envision the GRO Rural Dairy Registry as a ‘meeting ground’ or a community hub for the NSW dairy industry,” GRO Rural director and founder Dimity Smith said.

“In an industry where connection and networking are paramount, this platform will introduce professionals in dairy and foster collaboration and growth for the industry.

“This platform connects dairy businesses with available support services, to build stronger industry networks and develop partnerships to help dairy businesses succeed.”

NSW DPI dairy manager Ken Garner said in NSW, the dairy industry thrives on collaboration and strong personal connections.

“The SFIRP highlighted the need to facilitate that collaboration across the dairy service sector to enable service providers to connect with dairy farmers in a more efficient and targeted way,” Mr Garner said.

“The dairy registry is aimed at taking collaboration to the next level by ensuring our farmers have access to the services and support required for current success and future growth.”

The registry operates on a subscription-based model for professionals who wish to be listed, while organisations within the dairy sector can access and connect with listed individuals at no cost.

To kick-start this initiative, the first 50 eligible, NSW dairy service providers will receive their first year’s subscription free, courtesy of the NSW Government’s Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program in collaboration with NSW DPI Dairy and Dairy NSW.

To confirm eligibility for discount and receive your code, contact: jess@grorural.com.au

To sign up for the registry, go to: https:// www.grorural.com.au

The GRO Rural Dairy Registry aims to connect NSW dairy farmers with dairy providers.

New in robots

GEA FARM Technologies has unveiled its latest innovation: the DairyRobot R9600 for Batch Milking Automated Milking Systems (AMS).

GEA says this cutting-edge technology, designed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency, marks a significant milestone for the Australian dairy industry.

While the uptake in robotic milking has primarily been in family-owned and operated dairy farms using Voluntary Cow Flow Automated Milking Systems (AMS), changes to feeding management and daily routines have challenged wider adoption of AMS.

The GEA DairyRobot R9600 now offers solutions for dairy farms where Batch Milking AMS is a better fit.

“We are thrilled to introduce the DairyRobot R9600 to our dairy farming community,” GEA AMS sales manager for Australia, Jurgen Steen, said.

“Our mission has always been to drive innovation that benefits farmers of all sizes, and with the DairyRobot R9600, we are delivering on that promise.

“By making AMS accessible to larger farms, we are enabling farmers to streamline their operations, increase labour efficiency, and ultimately achieve sustainable growth.”

GEA says the compact design and small footprint reduce building costs and simplifies installation, by allowing more robots in the available area.

The DairyRobot R9600 builds on the efficiency of the DairyRobot R9500, consuming minimal water and energy.

The system supports cow welfare by allowing automatic milking and easy access for herd management, ensuring comfort and health for the herd.

GEA says key benefits are: No changes to feeding programs needed.

Both Total Mixed Ration (TMR) feeding and conventional grazing are possible.

Reduced daily hours of operation, eliminating the need for 24-hour operation.

Easy retrofit to existing dairies due to the compact footprint.

Built on the proven DR 9500 platform.

Suitable for a wide range of animal sizes. In-Liner Everything milking hygiene. Advanced mastitis detection.

Quarter individual milk separation.

GEA now offers three platforms for customisable AMS solutions: DR9500 Voluntary Cow Flow AMS, DR9600 Batch Milking AMS and DPQ Batch Milking AMS.

All these platforms share the same core: the GEA robot module and the In-Liner Everything milking principle.

The GEA DairyRobot R9600 offers solutions for dairy farms where Batch Milking AMS is a better fit.

Fonterra boss explains sale

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

FONTERRA SUPPLIERS have received an insight into the company’s future direction from Oceania managing director René Dedoncker.

Mr Dedoncker spoke at Fonterra’s Industry Breakfast in Moama on June 12, which also heard from Farm Source director Matt Watt.

Mr Dedoncker said the decision to sell the Australian asset as part of the Oceania deal was a strategic board decision based on the long-term future of the company.

Demographics, protein and future capital were some of the major drivers behind the decision.

“The business we have today is going to be different to where we want to be in the future where we see Fonterra as a special, ingredients-based business.”

Mr Dedoncker reiterated Fonterra the business is in a strong position and the consumer business is expecting to have a record year.

He is expecting the divestment process to take a couple of years and he assured suppliers Fonterra will continue to support suppliers and pick up their milk in the meantime.

“Farmers will be kept up to speed on what is happening and it really is a fantastic opportunity for another processor to enter the country, which is great news for the industry,” Mr Dedoncker said.

Mr Watt said the drop in this season’s milk price had not come as a surprise to the vast majority of suppliers.

“We had a wish list, but the reality is the market kicked in and there has been a down tick in pricing,” Mr Watt said.

He said one of the major contributors to the downturn was a growing Chinese domestic market.

“Production in China grew by eight billion litres, and even though their cost of production is around $10.50kg/ms and the market has come back to $9.30, the industry will continue to grow because of government investment.

“This reduces their need to import,” Mr Watt said.

He did say the global factors which have driven the adjustment are starting to rebalance, and if the Australian dollar remains where it is, there could be step ups.

“If Fonterra did not have this adjustment, we would be put under more financial pressure,” he said.

“Australian exports have dropped by 17 per cent, while imports have increased by 19 per cent.”

Mr Watt blamed some of the increase on the cost of living as consumers were seeking cheaper, imported alternatives.

“Fonterra can’t shrink their way to prosperity, we will just have to work our way through this.”

Supplier council chair Paul Weller said

At the industry breakfast were Fonterra supplier council chair Paul Weller, Celia Hobbs (Lockington supplier), Sara McNeil (Myall supplier) and Fonterra Oceania managing director René Dedoncker.

while suppliers did not like the $8 price, he understood the decision behind it.

“Cheap imports are coming in and undermining market returns,” Mr Weller said.

“The council plays an important role for farmers, and we will be watching the market closely, and if there are indicators, we will be telling the company its time to step up.”

Mr Weller said he heard about the divestment after Mr Dedoncker rang him at 6.34am.

“Straight away I said there will be some nervousness among suppliers, but the reality is whoever buys the business is going to want milk supply and that is a positive.”

NEW ROLE FOR DEDONCKER

Fonterra has announced the internal appointment of new management team members to help lead the co-operative’s step-change in strategic direction.

Fonterra Oceania managing director René Dedoncker has been appointed to the role of global markets consumer and foodservice managing director, in addition to his current role.

Chief executive officer Miles Hurrell said Mr Dedoncker had been with the co-operative since 2005 and has held several global leadership positions during that time.

“He has led our Australian business since 2017, including through its recent merger with Fonterra Brands New Zealand to form Fonterra Oceania,” Mr Hurrell said.

“In this new role, René will provide leadership to our global markets consumer business during the potential divestment process, with a focus on continuing to drive performance.”

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Dairy awards go for gold

BY JEANETTE SEVERS

THE DAIRY Industry Association of Australia held its annual awards, and its annual Victorian awards, in May.

In the Victorian awards, products were awarded gold and silver medals across 112 product classes, along with 43 trophy awards.

In the national awards, products were awarded across nearly 1000 categories, including major trophies.

For more stories and pictures from the DIAA awards, go to: www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au

Kyvalley Dairy Group

In the national awards, Kyvalley received silver medals (class 3) for its unsalted and salted consumer pack of butter – Kiewa Country Salted Butter, Kyvalley Farms Unsalted Butter, Kiewa Country Unsalted Butter, Pure Valley Salted Butter and Geelong Dairy Salted Butter.

Kyvalley Dairy Group received gold medals in class 64 for its Coach House Dairy Chocolate Milk and class 106 for True Organic Salted Butter.

In the Victorian DIAA awards, Kyvalley Dairy Group Coach House Dairy Chocolate Milk was awarded the trophies for the Highest scoring flavoured milk – chocolate (classes 64 and 65) and the Highest scoring flavoured milk (classes 64 to 69).

Kyvalley Dairy Group won a gold medal for

True Organic Salted Butter and silver medals for True Organic Unsalted Butter and Farmdale Organic Full Cream Milk (all in class 106).

Bega Group

In the national awards, Bega Group received the Amcor Australia and New Zealand Award for the highest scoring consumer pack cheddar cheese (classes 10 to 12) for the Bega Heritage Vintage Cheddar.

Bega Group also received the Kersia Australia Award – Champion Cheesemaker, awarded to Marc Cesnik.

Bega Group also received silver medals for its consumer pack of butter Pure Valley (class 3) for the salted and unsalted categories, and for its Dairy Farmers unsalted (class 4).

Bega Group received gold medals (class 11)

for its Bega Farmers Tasty and (class 12) for its Bega Strong & Bitey and Bega Heritage Vintage. Bega Group received silver medals (class 8 and 9) for its Cheddar cheese (no added flavour) and gold medals in class 13 for its Westacre cheese slices light and Westacre cheese slices original.

Bega Group received a silver medal for its Skim Milk Powder (class 44). Bega Group won gold medals in class 61 for its Complete Dairy full cream milk, in class 63 for Pura Lactose Free Whole Milk, in class 65 for Dairy Farmers Chocolate Milk, in class 76 for Meander Valley Dairy Double Cream, and in class 77 for Meander Valley Dairy Sour Cream.

In the Victorian DIAA awards, Bega Group won gold medals (class 13) for Westacre cheese slices light and Westacre cheese slices original.

Continued on page 18

Kristofer Strubbe and Jente Allegaert, of Kyvalley Dairy Group, with Daniel Reed, IFM.

Samantha Horton and Karen McIntyre from Bega Group, with DIAA national president, Daryl Sutton, from Jasol.

Gippsland Jersey

Gippsland Jersey received the DIAA national award for the highest scoring unmodified fullfat milk (classes 58-59) for its Full Cream Milk.

Gippsland Jersey also received gold medals in class 10 for its Cultured Butter, Unhomogenised Milk (class 59), for its Light Milk (class 61) and Gippsland Jersey Golden Ghee (class 107).

In the Victorian awards, Gippsland Jersey Full Cream Milk was awarded the trophy for 2024 Overall Milk Champion (classes 58 to 72, 103 and 106) and the Highest scoring modified milk (classes 60 to 63).

Gippsland Jersey Full Cream Milk was awarded the trophy for 2024 Overall Milk Champion (classes 58 to 72, 103 and 106) and the Highest scoring modified milk (classes 60 to 63). It received gold medals for Gippsland Jersey Full Cream Milk (class 58), Gippsland Jersey Unhomogenised Milk (class 59), Gippsland Jersey Light Milk (class 61) and Golden Ghee (class 107).

Bulla Dairy Foods

In the DIAA Victorian awards, Bulla Dairy Foods received the trophy for the Highest scoring standard ice-cream (class 81 to 83) for Bulla Creamy Classics Boysenberry Ice-cream and gold medals for Bulla Australian Style Yoghurt Natural (class 53) and for Bulla Australian Style Yoghurt Vanilla and Bulla Australian Style Yoghurt Mango (both in class 55).

Bulla Light Sour Cream, Bulla Crème Fraiche and Bulla Sour Cream (all in class 77) received gold medals.

Bulla Creamy Classics Vanilla Ice Cream received a gold medal in class 81. Bulla Creamy Classics Boysenberry Ice Cream and Bulla Creamy Classics Cookies and Cream both received gold medals in class 83.

In class 91, Bulla received gold medals for its Murray St Caramel Maple Macadamia Sticks, Creamy Classics Honeycomb Ice Cream Stick and Bulla Murray St Berry Rebellion Tart Sticks. In the national awards, Bulla Dairy Foods received a silver medal for Bulla Greek Style Natural Yoghurt (class 50) and gold medals for

Bulla Double Thick Cream and Aldi Farmdale Double Cream (both in class 74), in class 77 for Bulla Crème Fraiche, Bulla Sour Cream and Bulla Light Sour Cream, in class 91 for Bulla Murray St Caramel Maple Macadamia Sticks, Creamy Classics Choc Hazelnut Spread Stick and Creamy Classics Honeycomb Ice Cream Stick, and in class 92 for Hershey’s Chocolate Tub.

That’s Amore Cheese

In the DIAA national awards, That’s Amore Cheese won the WR&D Wells Award for the highest scoring flavoured cheese (classes 35 to 37) for its Diavoletti Smoked Pavolina stuffed with Olive and Chilli.

That’s Amore Cheese also won gold medals in class 15 for That’s Amore Cheese Panettone and in class 18 for That’s Amore Cheese Bocconcini and silver medals for That’s Amore Cheese Fior di Latte and That’s Amore Cheese Burrata and That’s Amore Cheese Mini Burrata (all in class 18) and Shredded Mozzarella in class 19.

In the Victorian DIAA awards, That’s Amore Cheese Panettone received a gold medal in class 15. That’s Amore Cheese Bocconcini

received a gold medal in class 18, the Cheese Stracciatella received a gold medal in class 30, and the Cheese Diavoletti received a gold medal in class 37 in the Victorian awards.

Ashgrove Cheese

Ashgrove Cheese won the Babbage Consultants Award for the highest scoring semi hard cheese (class 15) in the national awards.

Ashgrove Cheese received silver medals in class 12 for its Ashgrove Wineglass Bay Vintage Cheddar and Ashgrove Signature Farmstead Platter Wedge Vintage Cheddar, in class 15 for Ashgrove Signature Farmstead Platter Wedge Smoked Red Leicester, Ashgrove Cradle Mountain Double Gloucester and Ashgrove Musselroe Bay Rubicon Red, and in class 27 for its Ashgrove Little Blue Lake cheese.

Ashgrove Cheese won gold medals in class 15 for Ashgrove Signature Farmstead Platter Wedge Red Leicester and in class 16 for Ashgrove Signature Tasmanian Mountain Cheese.

Ashgrove Cheese won gold medals in class 60 for its Ashgrove Farm Light Milk and in class 73 for Ashgrove Pure Cream (unthickened).

LABOUR SAVING

Continued from page 17

Steve Ronalds, co-founder of Gippsland Jersey, and Allan Hood, Bulla Dairy Foods CEO.

Serena Zan, That’s Amore Cheese; Sallie Jones and Steve Ronalds, co-founders of Gippsland Jersey; and Anne Bennett, Ashgrove Cheese.

St David’s Dairy

St David’s Dairy received the Arthur E Hacquoil Memorial Gold Trophy (classes 1 and 2) for its cultured salted butter block 10kg in the national awards.

St David’s Dairy also won silver medals for its salted uncultured butter (class 1) and unsalted cultured butter (class 2), for its cultured unsalted butter log (class 4) and cultured salted butter log (class 4).

St David’s Dairy received gold medals for its Triple Cream Camembert (class 28), NonHomogenised Full Cream Milk (class 59) and Reduced Fat Milk (class 61).

In the Victorian awards, St David’s Dairy

received the Vic Stafford Perpetual Cup, awarded for the highest-scoring bulk butter (classes 1 and 2), for its Cultured Salted Butter.

St David’s Dairy Reduced Fat Milk was awarded the Highest scoring modified milk (classes 60 to 63), and the St David Dairy Triple Cream Camembert received a gold medal in class 28.

St David Dairy Premium Full Cream Milk received a gold medal in class 58, and St David Dairy Non-Homogenised Full Cream Milk was awarded a gold medal in class 59.

St David Dairy Reduced Fat Milk received a gold medal in class 61.

Beston Global Foods

Beston Global Foods won a gold medal (class 36) for Mables Sweet Chilli cheese, and silver medals for Farmers Tribute Spring Onion, Farmers Tribute Sweet Chilli and Mables Spring Onion cheese in the same class.

Bestons received silver medals for its Farmers Tribute Vintage cheese (class 12) Farmers Tribute Gouda (class 15) and Edwards Crossing Mozzarella (class 19).

Elato

In the national awards, Elato won a silver medal in class 85 for Elato Cold Brew Decaf Café Latte ice-cream.

In the Victorian awards, Elato Fig Ripple and Elato Triple Vanilla received a silver medal in class 83 and 84 respectively (ice cream or gelati).

In class 85, Elato Cold Brew Decaf Café Latte received a silver medal.

Nick Katis, of Moondara Cheese. In the Victorian DIAA awards, Moondara Cheese, trading as Tarago Cheese, won a gold medal for Tarago Shadows of Blue (class 27).

Roz Kaldor-Aroni, Elato ice-cream proprietor.

Mancel Hickey, Group CEO of GV Creamery and St David’s Dairy, with Kristian Thanas, general manager of St David’s Dairy.

Fabrizio Jorg, CEO of Bestons Global Food Company.

Building a sustainable future

PROGRESSIVE NORCO dairy farmer James McCrae has been farming on a multi-generational 182 hectare farm in Barrington, on the mid-north coast of NSW, and lives with his wife Lauren and three children Hannah, Roy and Neve.

Raelands farm has been a part of the family since the 1860s and James became a full-time fifth-generation farmer 10 years ago, working alongside his father as business partners.

James and his father have been working together to cultivate a more sustainable and innovative farm.

They are highly passionate about nurturing the land for a stronger agricultural future.

His father, Chris, has been in farming since 1981, and together they have shifted from one person managing the farm to two.

This was with the aim to become more progressive, sustainable and to support their two families.

Over time, together they have made infrastructure upgrades and pasture improvements to increase efficiency and improve sustainability.

This has resulted in enhanced yield and quality while also reducing cost.

“The infrastructure upgrades have meant that the running of the farm is more efficient, allowing one of us to take time off or holidays, while the other runs the farm, which is important with a young family.

“We also entered into a succession planning process which is almost complete.

“We are fortunate Dad was willing to have

the sometimes-uncomfortable conversations in the beginning, to form the plan and to make it financially viable for the next generation.

The succession planning meetings were facilitated by a farm business consultant.

Raelands Farm is solely a dairy farm supplying up to 2500 litres a day to Norco, Australia’s oldest and largest dairy cooperative.

They currently have a closed herd of 200 cattle, including 100 milking cows, additional replacement and sale heifers and drys.

With a degree in Agricultural Business Management from Charles Sturt, James has grown a strong interest in ESG and further innovating and driving sustainability on the farm, this has become evident through the investment in on-farm improvements.

Taking into account the farm’s business structure, Raelands Farm integrates triple bottom line management, a triangle which consists of environment, people and profit balancing the three aspects of the business.

James and his father have installed a 24kw solar system, implement tree planting projects each year and have entered into a Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust for 60ha of forest on farm. They also use the Australian Dairy Carbon Calculator to work out how much emissions the farm is admitting.

There are many aspects Raelands Farm is aiming to address in that sphere, with a heavy emphasis on the environment, tree planting, community and environment at the forefront to show they care.

James McRae with his father Chris (right), wife Lauren and their children, Hannah and Roy. Photos: Dallas Kilponen/Woolworths

Raelands Farm at Barrington, NSW.

“We really want to leave our farm better than when we first started. Better for future generations,” James said.

Recently, Raelands Farm was awarded $70,000 from the Woolworths Dairy Innovation Fund to further invest in  innovation and drive sustainability on the farm.

The grant has allowed the farm to implement practices such as planting hundreds of trees, heat detection collars for the herd and putting in a dairy solid trap.

The solids are used as fertiliser and to build soil organic matter on the farm.

“The grant has been really helpful to drive us forward. Without sustainability grants, it can be very hard to justify the costs involved with some of the larger ESG improvements,’’ James said.

“It has given us the opportunity to target the right areas and take direct sustainability action on our farm.”

Another major focus for James on the farm is continuous improvement, which is evaluated with the triple bottom line management.

“For the past eight years we have been focusing on the eight wastes of lean management, with a focus on waste reduction to improve efficiency.

“Everything we do is with the aim to reduce waste, because with this reduction, a farm becomes more profitable and efficient,” he said.

They are also honing in on their dairy processes. Raelands farm creates standard operating procedures on efficient processes with step-by-step photos of the process.

This assists relief milkers in a quick refresher so they have a smooth, efficient and easy shift.

“We are constantly thinking of efficiency as we are only a small farm. When there is a process that can be followed it makes life so much easier,” James said.

James McRae (left) with his father Chris McRae.

James McRae is planting hundreds of trees on his farm.

The effluent solids trap on Raelands Farm.

Planting trees is part of the family’s sustainability focus.

Solid team

PROVICO IS building a next generation bio-nutrients and functional ingredients facility at the former Nestle and Fonterra site in Dennington, south-west Victoria.

“We are up and running with the support of great people in the south-west, we have employed 60 locals at the site, and we are taking milk from local farms supplying SW Dairy Limited (SWDL),” ProviCo CEO Ben Anderson said.

“We formed a strong relationship with SWDL from the outset, like us they are growing, and we take all the milk they produce; it has been an important partnership for us.

Duncan Morris and Brad Couch are the driving force behind the SWDL cooperative.

“SW Dairy Limited recognises that a thriving dairy industry hinges on profitability, both at the farm level and in processing,” Duncan said.

“Our partnership with ProviCo, solidified by a flat price milk model based on a kilogram of protein and a kilogram of butterfat content, underscores our commitment to fairness and sustainability for our farmers.”

Brad Couch is SWDL chair and a successful seasonal dairy farmer.

“We are strong believers in the seasonal farming concept and SWDL members are like-minded farmers — by valuing our homegrown pasture milk and maintaining consistent pricing, we empower our farmers to control costs and build resilient businesses, crucial for navigating market fluctuations,” Brad said.

“We have consistently maintained competitiveness and fairness by offering our suppliers the same price, irrespective of their volumes, without any ‘special deals’ or preferential treatment.

We put life back into your farm life.

We understand that farm life’s all-consuming. So, in 1977 we were the first to invent cow monitoring solutions that not only maximise dairy herd performance, but also minimise workload and stress to restore work-life balance.

“Our steadfast commitment has attracted a notable proportion of our suppliers under the age of 40. This is a testament to the pricing model SWDL and ProviCo have agreed upon — no spring milk discounting.

“It therefore has encouraged young, aspiring farmers to join and remain in the dairy industry ensuring its long-term viability.”

Since its inception in 2020, the SWDL cooperative has grown from eight to 26 suppliers.

“We like the SWDL cooperative model and mindset and their principles on farming and approach to the industry,” Ben Anderson said.

“If the seasonal model maintains dairy farms for generations, we are very supportive.”

The timing of the reopening of Dennington coincided with a severe downturn in international dairy markets while farm gate prices rose by 30 per cent.

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“Southern farm gate prices have become out of step with the global dairy market,” Ben said. “Australian exported dairy products are now expensive compared to our competitors in the US and New Zealand.”

He is also concerned about what is happening locally.

“Here at home we once believed we had a reasonably protected domestic market, but this has proven not to be the case.

“Supermarkets and consumers are increasingly choosing imported dairy products based on price, and they are satisfied with the quality.

“That doesn’t bode well for the long-term sustainability of the Australian industry.”

Looking forward to the 2024-25 season, ProviCo and SWDL are hoping to recruit new suppliers, however, the international competitiveness issue is weighing on the outlook.

“Together with ProviCo we prioritise the long-term sustainability and profitability of the dairy industry in south-west Victoria,” Brad said.

The SWDL supply group, including directors Duncan Morris (third from the left) and Brad Couch (back row, second from the right).

No more compost

BY DR LES SANDLES

MOST CONVERSATIONS around soil health will inevitably include compost — for very good reason.

It is great for the soil because it improves nutrient holding and water retention, and assists in the aggregation of soil colloids.

I recall some Polish research in which the benefits of a single (large) application of composted manure 80 years ago were still being measured recently, and almost without exception the scientific literature reports only benefits from applications of well-made compost.

Thus, my next statement will surprise: compost has had its day!

In fact, I will venture further: in today’s climate change/greenhouse gas/global warming conversation, composting is environmentally irresponsible.

I am not talking about household compost which is a fantastic thing to do for a bunch of reasons — although I would strongly recommend Bokashi for all of the reasons below — but large-scale commercial composting.

Let me explain.

To make compost — ‘good’ compost — we collect up our various organic matters and mix and match to get the carbon:nitrogen close to 30:1. We do this to optimise the microbial activity to ensure the composting process is efficient and effective reaching the target temperatures for sufficient time to both pasteurise the compost pile and maximise humification.

It helps massively to turn frequently to ‘aerate’ the pile, particularly in the first few weeks — burning a lot of fossil fuel in the process (problem number one).

The end result is that about 70 per cent of the starting carbon and nitrogen is vaporised because we have ‘burned’ it off, mostly as methane and nitrous oxide along with a bit of CO2, into the heavens. These are precisely the same GHGs that are causing all the fuss (problem number two).

There is a much, much better way to process our organic waste, and it is a home-grown Australian innovation.

It is called Groundswell, and it is currently the hottest thing in global agriculture yet being steadfastly ignored in its own backyard.

In stark contrast to the combustion process used in composting, the Groundswell process is an anaerobic fermentation very similar to that of ensiling grass.

Organic waste is accumulated paying little heed to C:N ratios (although higher than 30:1 is preferred), inoculated with a specific microbial ‘catalyst’ (aka, starter culture — as we do with silage), the moisture level increased to 60-65 per cent to ensure we can get the anaerobic conditions we need, and lastly, we throw a tarp over the pile to make it dark and retain the moisture and heat.

Then we wait and wait and wait — for 26 weeks all up, by which time we have Humisoil. Humisoil because it is both wet (humid) and is rich in humus.

Humus production is the common intent for both composting and Groundswell but the quantum, cost of production and list of lingering benefits are vastly different

As always, if you would like to explore this a little more, don’t hesitate to contact us.

ɋ Dr Les Sandles is a thought leader and provocateur in the dairy industry. Best known for his role in revolutionising nutritional and pasture management practices, Les has turned his attention to the ‘last frontier’ — transmogrifying the forage production system into a C-munching machine. Contact him at: info@4sight.bioif

The author’s own pile (left) and a client’s dairy waste going through the fermentation (right).

Paying its way in more ways

COWMANAGER HAS paid its way many times over and in many ways for Nick Mignanelli, a third-generation dairy farmer on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.

“Like any technology, CowManager is a tool and the user can become more skilled in using it to achieve better results,” Nick said.

When using sexed semen, which is a costly investment, Nick has been able to tighten the heat detection timeframes provided by CowManager by a matter of hours to increase the accuracy of timing for AI, ensuring higher conception rates.

“It’s very difficult to put a number on the return on investment with CowManager,” he said. “I use it mainly for fertility and health and both aspects have returned results we could not have achieved without it.”

With six casual staff and one full-time worker coming in and out of the dairy operation, it was impossible to get consistent heat detection for the herd of 180 milking cows, using traditional methods.

“It was just too unreliable,” Nick said.

“I couldn’t get the heat detection to the standard I wanted using scratchies and relying on observation alone.

“But I have to tell you I was the hardest sell for Paul Quinlan [CowManager representative]. It’s a big investment. You can’t do it twice.”

Nick recalls an overseas trip he made a few years ago when a neighbour joined 35 milking cows for him while he was away.

Due to the inconsistency of the traditional heat detection system, only four were in calf when he returned.

Fast forward 12 months and Nick was on a scholarship visit to the United States. CowManager did its job in his absence. The same neighbour did the AI work and he got 30 out of 35 in calf.

There was always going to be an argument about whether technology could do better heat detection than human experience and observation.

SKIOLD DISC MILL TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FEED

Many dairy farmers assured Nick that any problems he had with conception rates could be overcome by better observation.

“But as I got busier, I didn’t have the time,” he said.

“And as our cows improved in productivity the visual signs of heat became harder to detect.”

As a 23-year-old, who took on greater responsibility for the management of the farm from his grandparents seven years ago, Nick has had to be extremely careful about stretching expenses as he works to improve productivity.

In that time average per cow production has been lifted from 13 litres to 30 litres, not by spending more, but by getting the basics right.

“I’ve had to be very critical about putting the expenditure in the right places.

“It’s not rocket science and I’m not an exception. Every dairy farmer must do this today.”

Through soil analysis and more strategic applications of nitrogen and potassium, as well as new varieties of perennial and annual rye-grasses, the irrigated paddocks on the farm have produced 1750 tonnes of dry matter per hectare compared with 750 tonnes four to five years ago.

In the 12 months since he installed the CowManager ear tags, Nick has been able to integrate it into his Easi-Dairy management system.

they are not relying on me to tell them, maybe too late, which ones to check.

“They much prefer to feel they are in control and can make decisions based on their knowledge and experience with the CowManager app.

“The thing is the staff want to do well. They are striving for the same outcome as me.

“CowManager helps them to succeed, and everyone feels rewarded and is much happier in their work.”

Nick acknowledges he has questioned CowManager on many occasions, only to be proven wrong, particularly on health.

“I’ve seen the app telling me a cow is getting sick or dropping off or not eating and I think it’s wrong. There are no visual signs.

“But sure enough, a day or two later she starts showing physical signs.

“It is like having a doctor monitoring the cows 24/7.

“I was hard to convince but everyone I spoke to, who used CowManager, assured me it would come back, that I would get the return on investment, even though it’s hard to put a number on it.

“I would say better conception rates and better herd health management are two key improvements.

“Once you know and trust the system, you get less stress and more peace of mind.

“The two systems talk to one another. I’ve had no issues and great technical support from both sides.

“Our staff all love the app. They all have it on their phones, and they can see any cows they need to check before they start their shift, so

“You can go away knowing the system will work. You can check in from anywhere in the world.

“And it allows you opportunities to focus on other things, both on and off-farm.”

– From CowManager

Nick Mignanelli has lifted average per cow production from 13 litres to 30 litres, not by spending more, but by getting the basics right.

Boost your winter pasture

MOST OF Victoria experienced an extremely dry autumn. Agriculture Victoria says when rain does fall, soil temperature may become the main factor limiting pasture growth.

Agriculture Victoria livestock industry development officer Nick Linden says soil temperature, like moisture and fertility, plays a major role in controlling plant growth.

“Covers will stop fixing much nitrogen below about 9°C, which can provide some opportunities for response to urea,” he said.

“Research in Tasmania shows that perennial rye-grass continues to grow down to about 5°C, while annual rye-grass as low as 2°C.

“Australian phalaris has been shown to also grow down to about 5°C and a ‘guesstimate’ for more winter active cultivars is between 1.5 and 2°C lower.”

Mr Linden said urea and gibberellic acid (GA) provide options to increase pasture growth when nitrogen and/or soil temperature is limiting, on the proviso that good soil fertility, perennial pasture species and soil moisture are present.

“GA is made naturally in plant roots during spring and stimulates shoot and cell elongation, promoting plant growth,” he said.

“The application of manufactured GA in winter stimulates plant growth and increases winter feed availability.

“GA should be applied when air temperature is between 5°C and 15°C, when natural levels of GA are low.

“Several producer groups have trialled using GA with or without urea and results have varied across sites and years, so it may be worth talking to a local group or agronomist for advice on what to expect.

“The response to urea will be slower than when pasture growth is optimal (ie. spring) but may be worthwhile.”

Resources

Options for improving winter pasture growth presented by Lisa Warn: https://youtu.be/ wOv35qcQg7k EverGraze calculator for responses to urea and gibberellic acid: https://www.evergraze. com.au/library-content/gibberellic-acid/ index.html

ɋ Agriculture Victoria gibberellic acid use in phalaris pastures: https://agriculture.vic. gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/560924/ GA-Demonstration-Summary.pdf

GRASSLAND CONFERENCE TO SORT FACT FROM FICTION

The Grassland Society of Southern Australia’s annual conference will help farmers sort fact from fiction when it returns to Bendigo for the first time in more than 25 years.

The conference on July 17 and 18 will follow the theme ‘Evidence Based Decision Making’ and is designed to help producers make informed decisions that are right for their enterprises.

GSSA has confirmed the conference will go ahead after securing an upswell of support from members and sponsors.

GSSA has connected farmers, scientists and agricultural consultants for 65 years and president Tim Prance said a successful annual conference was vital to its future.

Earlier this year Mr Prance penned a ‘call to arms’ to current and former members

and other supporters to get behind the conference and he said the response had been heartening. He said the conference would cover a range of topics relevant to grassland farmers.

“We’re focusing on facts, rather than opinion. This will include lessons from the past that are still relevant now and new technology that is helping farmers to improve their productivity.

“There will be interactive sessions and workshops on carbon, identifying clover species and a producer panel discussing setting up for perennial pasture success.

“The conference will feature a strong focus on fertiliser, pasture species and grazing management where there is a lot of misinformation so we want to emphasise the science and reality.”

Other topics to be covered include ryegrass cultivars versus old varieties, what carbon means for your business, measuring and knowing soil carbon levels, snail and

slug management, facial recognition, fertiliser calculation tool, and tools for pasture forecasting

There will also be a focus on how farmers are coping with the dry season and how they are preparing for a potential lack of feed until spring.

Conference goers will get to see farms in action with bus tours to Bridgewater North and Sutton Grange.

The GSSA AGM will be part of the conference and there will also be a discussion about the future of the society.

ɋ The conference will be based at All Seasons in Bendigo in central Victoria. To register, visit https://www. grasslands.org.au/ or call 1300 137 550 or email conference@grasslands. org.au

For the latest information on Methane production and rumen-protected fats, please see the June 2023 edition of Dairy Global on-line. www.dairyglobal.net/health-and-nutrition/nutrition/ methane-production-and-rumen-protected-fats/ Megalac rumen-protected fat has been proven to increase milk yield and cow fertility around

A July conference will cover a range of topics relevant to grassland farmers.

AgVic says soil temperature, like moisture and fertility, plays a major role in controlling pasture plant growth.

Improve productivity

A DAIRY cow has two roles — to provide high-quality milk as a source of farm income, and to produce calves which will become future herd members.

Both are metabolically taxing, so it’s important that your cows get the most energy from their feed.

The beginning of lactation is energydemanding, as peak milk yields are reached within the first six weeks.

Cows and heifers also need to recover from calving ready for joining.

Optimum nutritional management, through lead feeding in the three weeks before and three weeks after calving, is key to maintaining the body condition and energy reserves, which is associated with increased milk yield and reproductive success.

What is MYLO?

MYLO is an Australian-made, liquid probiotic containing three strains of Lactobacillus bacteria, shown to be beneficial to cow health and productivity.

It’s antibiotic-free, Certified Organic, and has no withholding periods.

It is also accredited by FAMI-QS, the globally recognised scheme that ensures feed supplement safety.

MYLO is given daily to cows through a mixer wagon or poured onto the ration. Pump systems can also administer MYLO onto the ration during milking.

How can MYLO help cow productivity?

The bacteria in MYLO improve digestion efficiencies, allowing cows to get more energy from the same amount of feed. Terragen’s research has shown that cows supplemented with 10ml of MYLO/day: Have increased milk yields (by up to 10.1 per cent). Gain more liveweight during their lactation. Mobilise more energy (in the form of liveweight) after calving.

Recover their liveweight more rapidly post-partum.

MYLO has been shown to reduce methane emissions in cows by up to 7.5 per cent, through more efficient digestion processes.

Terragen says using MYLO delivers a positive return on investment, through increased milk yields, with up to $600 annual benefit per cow net of MYLO costs (based on 10 per cent milk production increase at farm gate price of $8.50 per kg milk solids).

For more on the scientific studies and commercial trials of Mylo, visit the Terragen website: https://www.terragen.com.au/ animal-health/

Contact a Terragen sales representative at: https://www.terragen.com.au/where-to-buy/

Launched in Australia in 2023, the revolutionary and unique Cosecure Cattle Bolus is now available from Abbey Animal Health. If trace element supplementation is prevalent in your geographical area, Cosecure is a great option for your dairy herd.

Cosecure Cattle Bolus is a unique, soluble glass trace element bolus for cattle, which delivers copper, cobalt and selenium to the animal at a controlled and constant rate for up to six months.

Cosecure Cattle Bolus contains a unique form of copper called ionic copper, which is active at the same pH as the rumen making it bioavailable for easier absorption.

The unique soluble glass of the bolus is designed to dissolve at a controlled rate, meaning there are no peaks or troughs in supplementation, and no residue as it completely dissolves.

With six months of coverage, important for the key calving period, the Cosecure Cattle Bolus is a cost effective and convenient solution for dairy cattle trace elements supplement programs.

The Cosecure Cattle Bolus is available exclusively from local independent rural stores.

For more information, contact your local Abbey Animal Health representative on their information line on (02) 8088 0720 or visit: https://abbeylabs.com.au

Optimise lifetime feed conversion efficiency.

IMPROVE HEALTH

What if you could proactively improve calf and cow health sothey can better withstandchallenges, including those caused by mycotoxins?

REDUCE PATHOGENIC BACTERIAL LOAD

What if you could control calf diarrhea before an outbreak, and reduce the incidence, severity and duration of other common diseases that affectthe feedconversion efficiency of lactating cows and your bottom line?

ONLY CELMANAX

PROMOTE PRODUCTIVTY

What if you could add nutritional insurance to every stage of your cattle’s lives resulting in healthier heifer calves that join the milkingherd ready to contribute at a high level, and lactating cows that spend less time off feed.

Research demonstrates: CELMANAX

Has been shown to:

•Agglutinates and binds E. coli and Salmonella enterica.

• Agglutinate and bind E. coli and Salmonella enterica

•Reduces the incidence, severity and duration of mastitis and cryptosporidiosis infection.

• Reduce the incidence, severity and duration of mastitis and cryptosporidiosis infection

• Reduce blood stress markers during and after transport and temperature stress.

•Reduces blood stress markers during and after transport and temperature stress.

• Minimise cytotoxic damage caused by a variety of mycotoxins and carryover of aflatoxins in milk

• Improve weight gains and performance in calves and milk yields in lactating cows

•Minimises cytotoxic damage caused by a variety of mycotoxins and carryover of aflatoxins in milk.

•Improves weight gains and performance in calves and milk yields in lactating cows.

Distributed By:

Cutting costs can cut income

AS I write this, the first prices for the 2024-25 milk season are being announced.

The farm gate price for milk has fallen compared to the last two seasons. As circumstances tighten it is only natural to look at our costs.

The bottom-line is, do not cut costs that will cut production.

We still have fixed costs and finance costs. They will still be there next month. We need to make every kilogram of milk solids count.

As US dairy legend, Professor Mike Hutjens, says: “Don’t give up milk”.

No-one has ever lost money milking cows that are healthy and performing efficiently.

And every cow eats six kilograms of dry matter every day for maintenance. We need to dilute this ‘fixed cost’.

To produce milk profitably we need healthy and productive cows and soils.

If I cut fertiliser costs and grow less feed, I will be worse off.

If I cut feed costs that impact cow health, I will again be worse off — with less production, lower in-calf rates, higher disease costs and higher cull rates.

Skimping on heifer costs means heifers coming into the herd under-done, using feed to grow, not

produce milk (income).

One of the essential parts of setting cows up for profitable lactations is the part of the transition period which is pre-calving. Failing to get this right sees lower milk production, lower in-calf rates and more animal health issues in early lactation.

There are three challenges in the last three weeks of the dry period:

ɋ Maintaining dry matter intake.

ɋ Preparing the rumen for the milker ration, including the starch-based concentrate feed.

ɋ Minimising the risk of clinical and subclinical milk fever.

Feeding a highly palatable anionic source such as Phibro’s Animate allows these three challenges to be met.

Animate is highly palatable and energy-dense, assisting the cow with high dry matter and energy intake so the cow and calf are both receiving adequate nutrition.

Animate is nutrient-dense and, when fed with starch-based concentrates, assists the rumen adapt from the dry cow ration to the milker ration.

Animate’s low DACD value and high palatability helps the cow mobilise calcium from her bones and absorb calcium from her gut, so she

has enough calcium for the stresses of calving and the new lactation.

The high palatability of Animate means that the taste does not have to be masked in the ration. Dairy cows readily accept it, so much so that when offered free access it can provide the basis of a successful transition program.

The palatability creates options for transition diets, with Animate able to be:

ɋ Included in the transition pellet.

ɋ Incorporated into a PMR or TMR.

ɋ Fed on top of grain/pellets in the dairy.

ɋ Fed free access from troughs in the paddock.

Research shows that milk fever costs milk.

A clinical milk fever cow produces 14 per cent less milk than her herd mates, and subclinical cows produce seven per cent less milk. And for every milk fever there are 10 subclinical milk fevers.

For a 300-cow herd producing 550kg MS, a milk fever incidence from seven per cent compared to two per cent is a production reduction of more than 6930kg MS.

At $8.25/kg MS that is more than $57,000 of lost milk income without considering health costs.

Leap to new heights of productivity

From pregnancy to young calves and growing heifers, Reid’s Feed ensures your herd thrives at every stage. Invest in premium nutrition and experience the joy of healthier, happier cows. Reid’s Feed – where quality feed meets Trusted Performance.

For more information on how Animate can help you in transitioning your cows, contact transition cow specialists Scott Barnett on 0439 645

Make the leap Access

846 or Andrea Henry on 0488

744 271.

– Scott Barnett

Dairy business manager, Phibro Australia

Diet the key to more milk

THE NEED to maintain a well-balanced and consistent diet that achieves sound rumen health in dairy cows — while delivering high milk productivity — is the daily goal on-farm when it comes to feedbase management.

But getting the basics right is not always as simple as it may sound.

Dairy farmers understand the direct impacts animal nutrition management can have on their business profitability and cow health.

Confidently making cost-effective, on-farm nutrition decisions, which match their farm systems and plans, is a complex business in itself.

Dairy Australia’s development and regional adaptation lead Dr Brenda McLachlan said there was a lot to consider when buying feeds and meeting the nutrient needs for dairy cows.

“Farmers must look at feed supplement options to cater for energy, fibre and protein needs,” Brenda said.

“Then there’s monitoring animal health and body condition, as well as managing feed quality when it comes to pastures and forages.

“Add in planning for factors impacting intake such as hot weather events — it makes for a complex task.”

Feeding the highest quality forages to the milking herd is essential in working towards meeting adequate nutrient needs.

Often the challenge for farmers is knowing what nutrients are in the feeds they select for their cows and the impact on milk production and composition.

“Having the know-how to select feeds that have appropriate nutrients for the dairy herd will help put farmers one step closer to

increasing farm income,” Brenda said.

Dairy Australia’s Nutrition Fundamentals workshop has been helping farmers do just that.

One of the feedbase and nutrition service offerings, this program has been running nationally since 2018 with numerous farmers and farm staff having participated across all regions.

“We run this as a practical, two-day workshop designed to support farm businesses and their service providers to get the basics right when it comes to dairy cow nutrition,” Brenda said.

Developed to help improve farmers’ understanding on feed nutrients, rumen digestion and health and cow energy requirements, it is an introductory program on basic dairy cow nutrition for farmers and their staff.

The workshop has recently been updated.

“We asked for feedback from farmers and recognised the need to adjust the Nutrition Fundamentals program to make the workshops more engaging with lots of take-home messages and actions farmers can implement in their nutrition management practices,” Brenda said.

“It’s a more engaging, evidence-based extension service that is designed to support practice change on-farm, as well as provide participants with the knowledge and skills to make informed feeding decisions.”

For more information about Nutrition Fundamental workshops, contact your regional Dairy Australia office.

For more information about feedbase and animal nutrition, visit: https://dairyaustralia. com.au/feeding-and-farm-systems

Raising the bar

HUSTLER EQUIPMENT, a family-owned manufacturer with a 63-year legacy of innovation in livestock feeding machinery, has unveiled the Combi RX² multi-feeder wagon (series 2).

This groundbreaking iteration builds upon the success of the Combi RX multi-feeder range renowned for its ability to feed any feed type, ease of loading, feeding and visibility — now incorporating valuable user feedback since its 2019 launch.

“The Combi RX brought to market a simple and unique pusher design which eliminated high maintenance chains, bars, gearboxes, bearings and constant adjustments of conventional feedout wagons — this was a game changer in the industry for reliability and low maintenance,” Hustler Equipment CEO Brent Currie said.

“After more than five years of invaluable market feedback from actual users and owners and a commitment to continuous improvement, we’re rapt to be able to build on this benchmark with the release of Combi RX² (series 2) bringing a further leap in reliability, even lower maintenance and we’ve also made it more user-friendly in the process,” he said.

“Whilst many of the improvements appear subtle, they all add up to another significant step forward from its predecessor, an answer to the demands of the market.”

Brent said the five advantages of the original Combi RX are:

Unbeatable versatility — one machine, any feed.

Chainless reliability and simplicity.

Trouble-free step-less floor and load dividing design.

Compact design for unparalleled manoeuvrability.

Unmatched visibility.

Brent said the key enhancements to the new wagon are:

Wider cross-floor: Mitigates potential crushing and jamming while reducing operator errors, making it ideal for beginners or temporary staff.

Improved manoeuvrability: The angled front chassis rails allow for tighter turns without tire-to-chassis contact.

Modernised aesthetics: A new plastic bonnet and redesigned antenna enhance visual appeal and protect the FeedLink scale and feed management system.

Optional trough feeding kit: Available for factory fitment, this kit features unique feedbars and a curved elevator for precise feed drop placement, ideal for trough feeding, feedpad, or over-fence scenarios.

Enhances lactation performance

Improves liver function and immuno-metabolic health status

Support liver health and reduce morbidity with CholiGEM™, the pre- and post-partum nutrition solution beneficial for hepatic lipid metabolism for a healthier and more productive dairy cow.

Additional benefits with other methyl donors (e.g., methionine) to increase dry matter intake (DMI)

Improves colostrum quality and increases average daily gain in newborn calves exposed in utero to a richer choline environment

Scan here to start your journey with CholiGEM™.

For more information, please contact our Australian Ruminant Manager, Matt Bastian at 0438192567.

Hustler Equipment’s new Combi RX multi-feeder wagon.

Key Benefits of CholiGEM™

Learn calf rearing lessons

I’VE HAD the unique opportunity to experience calf rearing from two perspectives: as a farmer and as a professional feed adviser for Ridley Stockfeeds.

I’ve been rearing calves on our farm for the past 15 years and have tried lots of different methods during this time.

Through trial and error, I’ve learned what works and what doesn't. These are the lessons I learned along the way.

Early nutrition is crucial

When I first started rearing calves, I quickly learned the importance of getting nutrition right from the start.

Tubing every calf within the first 12 hours helped reduce the incidence of disease.

I didn’t always have the time to test colostrum quality (juggling three kids and a second job tends to do that), but I made sure I used fresh colostrum straight from the cow.

As a feed adviser, I now understand the science behind colostrum quality. Testing is important, but if that’s not an option, using fresh colostrum gets them the best possible start.

The magic of warm milk I’ve tried just about everything to

find the best way to feed calves.

I’ve experimented with cool milk, warm milk, milk powder, and yoghurt. I’ve tried teats, buckets and troughs.

What consistently worked best was warm milk, slightly above body temperature. Newborns latched onto teats more easily if the milk was warm but were far less interested if the milk had cooled off.

I always opt for higher colostrum milk for the younger calves, while the older ones get milk from the vat hose if we need extra.

Clean water is non-negotiable

Keeping water clean was one of the more challenging problems I had on my farm.

Clean water is vital for curbing disease incidence in the calves, but if you placed it near where they wait for milk, they’d immediately make it messy.

Placing water away from the milk feeding area kept it cleaner and reduced contamination.

If calves got enough milk, water wasn’t as critical in the cooler months, but clean water is always essential.

Early introduction to forage andgrain

I always have grain and hay available. Introducing forage and grain early on helps prepare calves for weaning.

I’ve found that adding lucerne chaff or Barastoc calf maximiser meal on top of the pellets enticed them to start eating sooner.

I used various types of hay and found cereal hays give the most consistent results, but if they are palatable, pasture hays work well too.

Pellets need to be fresh and should be replaced every day.

I’ve found that adding lucerne chaff or Barastoc calf maximiser meal on top of the pellets enticed them to start eating sooner.

The right bedding makes a difference

I have only ever used wood chips, shavings and rice hulls for bedding.

I found that calves would get sick anytime I switched pens, so keeping all our calves in the same pen until they moved to the paddock reduced their health issues.

Using the pens twice during

calving season was a challenge, and we had a higher incidence of scours with the second group.

I found adding Stalosan or lime to the bedding and a fresh foot of chips/ shavings on top helped manage disease risk.

That being said, it’s not perfect, so staying vigilant and monitoring calf health is still important, especially with the second group of calves.

Consistency is key

At the end of the day, the biggest lesson I learned is the importance of consistency.

Choose the system that works for you, and whatever system you choose, stick to it and avoid shortcuts.

The health of your calves in those early weeks can affect their productivity for a lifetime.

These lessons formed my approach to calf rearing, both on the farm and as a professional feed adviser.

By sharing these insights, I hope to help you avoid some of the problems I encountered and set your calves up for success from day one.

– Caroline Brown Ridley Stockfeeds technical sales adviser

Ridley adviser Caroline Brown with one of her calves.

Essential nutrient for cows

CHOLINE IS an essential nutrient that plays a pivotal role in various physiological processes in dairy cows.

It is integral to the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, two critical components of cell membranes, which underscores its importance in maintaining cellular structure and function.

Moreover, choline serves as a precursor for acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in the modulation of neural activity and muscle function.

In the context of dairy cows, choline is particularly significant due to its involvement in hepatic lipid metabolism.

During periods of high metabolic demand, such as the transition from late gestation to early lactation, cows are prone to negative energy balance and excessive mobilisation of body fat reserves.

This can lead to the accumulation of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in the liver, potentially resulting in hepatic lipidosis, commonly known as fatty liver disease.

Choline mitigates this risk by promoting the export of triglycerides from the liver as very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs), thereby preventing the pathological accumulation of lipids.

The bioavailability of dietary choline is a crucial consideration for dairy cow nutrition.

Ruminants face the unique challenge of rumen microbial degradation, which can significantly reduce the efficacy of orally administered choline.

To circumvent this, choline is supplemented in a protected form, such as rumen-protected choline (RPC), which ensures its delivery to the small intestine where it can be absorbed more efficiently.

Once absorbed, choline is transported via the bloodstream to various tissues where it participates in critical metabolic pathways. Furthermore, choline's role extends to the support of reproductive health and lactation performance.

Adequate choline supplementation has been shown to enhance dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, improve milk composition and overall fertility by optimising the metabolic efficiency and health status of dairy cows.

This is attributed to choline's influence on energy metabolism, which ensures that sufficient resources are allocated to milk production and maintenance of overall physiological function.

CholiGEM from Kemin Industries stands out with a 60 per cent choline chloride concentration — significantly higher than the typical 28 per cent currently available on the market. This higher content ensures a more flexible diet formulation during the critical transition period.

Its superior bioavailability supports reducing fatty liver risks and ketosis occurrences, thereby enhancing overall dairy cow wellbeing pre- and post-calving.

In summary, choline is an indispensable nutrient for dairy cows, essential for cellular integrity, hepatic lipid metabolism and overall metabolic health.

Its supplementation, particularly in a rumen-protected form, is vital in optimising the health and productivity of dairy cows, especially during the critical transition period surrounding parturition, having real impacts on DMI, milk yield and fertility.

– Matt Bastian Ruminant manager with Kemin Industries Australia & New Zealand

The bioavailability of dietary choline is a crucial consideration for dairy cow nutrition.

Getting the right diagnosis

BY DR ROBERT BONANNO

IN LAST month’s article, I introduced the concept that preventative herd health management is about assessing the risks, determining their likelihood and consequences, and then putting control measures in place to manage, mitigate or eliminate those risks.

Building from this idea, this month I want to talk about the importance of making a diagnosis when disease is occurring on your farm.

Knowing the organism that is causing disease is a critical part of developing a preventative strategy, not just because we can use specific treatments or prevention measures for that organism, but by determining what organism has caused a current outbreak of disease, we are able to understand what the underlying issues might be that allowed that bug to cause the disease in this case.

Most farmers I work with are very good at identifying the victim(s) and can usually identify the syndrome that is causing the illness.

An example would be a group of sick calves with pneumonia.

Often, based on previous experience or a treatment protocol, the pneumonia cases are treated with a particular medication and if the outcome seems good, no further investigation is done.

Historically, as a veterinarian, I would see my job was to determine what organism was causing the calf to have pneumonia and I would perform postmortems and collect

various samples to identify what bacteria or virus is causing the pneumonia.

This ‘work up’ may occur because a farm has not previously experienced this issue, because the cases are failing to respond to treatment, because the incidence is very high, or the losses are significant.

Once the lab results are back, we arrive at our ‘diagnosis’ when we identify the organism causing the syndrome.

Armed with the knowledge we have gained from our diagnostic work, we might choose a different treatment or decide to introduce a specific vaccine to prevent the specific disease we have identified.

If we just stop there, I am now convinced that only half the job is done.

Achieving a diagnosis should be seen as the beginning not the end when deciding on what is the cause of a disease outbreak.

Once we understand there are risk factors that have allowed one particular bug to cause disease, failing to fix those underlying problems means that any other control measures that specifically target just the one cause of the current outbreak will probably fail to reduce the overall incidence of the syndrome because as we prevent one potential cause, there is always another waiting in the wings ready to ‘step up’.

A proactive approach to animal health considers and then seeks to manage the risk factors which have resulted in the particular bug that caused the disease we have diagnosed to flourish.

By putting in place steps to manage or eliminate those risk factors, we could reduce the future likelihood of the disease from even occurring, which is clearly a better option than reaching for any treatment.

Using the example of calves with pneumonia, as a farmer I might reach for a trusty bottle of antibiotics which seems to cure the infection in most cases (but not all) and the new cases will likely continue and losses will accumulate.

As a vet, I might diagnose the pneumonia is caused by Mannheimia after a tracheal wash and some postmortem samples and advise a preventative vaccine and a ‘better’ antibiotic which may reduce the current cases.

But in this example, knowing that Mannheimia is a bacteria that we find in the respiratory tract of healthy animals, it is more likely that the underlying real cause of pneumonia is that multiple stressors are causing the calf’s normal defence to be compromised, and the Mannheimia bacteria that were already there waiting, gained access to the compromised lungs.

The risk factors in this case we must consider include overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, poor ventilation and shed design, immune suppression caused by heat stress, cold stress, high humidity or concurrent disease, water quality, failure of passive transfer and mixing of age groups.

If we simply decided just to start vaccinating for Mannheimia without addressing the underlying risk factors, it is likely that at some later stage another of the common respiratory

bacteria or viruses would just step in and cause disease and the farmer would see no real overall measurable improvement in the syndrome we know as pneumonia.

Dr Rob Bonanno is a Prodairy regional veterinary lead based in Gippsland, Victoria.

MANAGING COLD WEATHER

Wind chill and rain may reduce a cow’s effective temperature to below its critical level, resulting in a decrease in weight gain and milk yield and increases in milk fat.

For high risk animals the outcome may even be death.

Cattle at highest risk of cold stress include:

Newly born calves and calving cows.

Cattle in low body condition.

Sick cattle.

Appetite is stimulated by cold temperatures, and cold stress increases an animal’s requirement for energy to maintain body temperature and functions.

Studies suggest that a yearling’s energy requirement may increase during an extreme winter event.

Where cold stress is likely, providing shelter and increasing the availability of highly digestible and palatable feed will assist cattle to maintain normal body temperature and production — minimising the effects of cold stress.

Shelter for calving cows

ProDairy can assist you with the development of a tailored plan:

• On-farm visit by a ProDairy veterinarian.

• Review of the current biosecurity principles, the major risks and actions taken to reduce those risks.

• Development of a customised biosecurity plan.

Visit prodairy.com.au for more information.

Special shelter management may be necessary for calving cows and their calves.

If required, small paddocks within a sheltered area along the edge of shelterbelts are useful.

Close regular observation should be carried out, and any cow found down and unable to stand should receive appropriate treatment and be provided with shelter or be moved carefully to a sheltered area.

Extra feed may be required to help the cow meet her own metabolic needs

as well as the nutritional needs of the calf.

Calves in cold weather

Calves are most at risk during cold weather due to their small size. They need to have good shelter provided, as even strong and healthy calves can die if exposed to adverse weather.

Decreasing temperature and increasing precipitation on the day of calving increases mortality, and calves born to heifers are particularly susceptible to adverse weather conditions.

Additionally, cold stress has been shown to decrease the rate of absorption of colostrum in newborn calves — compromising their immune system and contributing potentially to morbidity and mortality.

Pens used for rearing calves should have a draught-free covered area to protect calves from the elements, and paddocks should have shelter accessible to all calves.

Shelter suitable for extreme cold

The following forms of shelter are suitable for cattle:

Constructed wind breaks. Natural undulating paddocks and gullies. Shelterbelts.

Trees planted in a north-south direction to protect from north and southwesterly winds.

Sheds (open on one side) constructed in paddocks can a ord protection from wind.

Temporary shelter can be provided in the form of shade cloths or plastic tarpaulins if other shelter is not available. – Agriculture Victoria

Hydrogen tractor coming

AUSTRALIA SHOULD have its first hydrogen tractor by the middle of the year as part of a $50 million investment in sustainable agriculture research.

The tractor, which is being procured from Europe, will be tested in an Australian landscape under a partnership between Charles Sturt University and industry.

“We’re bringing it in as a research tractor because our first goal is to demonstrate to the industry that hydrogen tractors can deliver — we can also validate their level of performance,” Nick Pagett from Charles Sturt University said.

The dual-fuel tractor will need to meet various regulatory requirements while research will be conducted on hydrogen fuel supply, given the limited number of hydrogen fuel stations in Australia.

“We need to understand how not only will a tractor operate on hydrogen but also what’s the supply stream that’s required,” Nick said.

The multi-million dollar investment in sustainable agriculture will also examine how hydrogen can be produced in regional areas.

With no hydrogen refuelling stations in regional Australia, Nick said the university would need to examine whether it was possible to scale up hydrogen production on farms.

The investment would also test other new technologies such as precision spraying and

biogas conversion.

The university said it hoped to support farmers to improve the health of their soil and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions by demonstrating the relevant technology could help.

“We will also look into hydrogen-driven generators and fuel cells that can support irrigation systems and replace electricity supply, and how we can use agricultural products as feed ‘stock’ for hydrogen production, such as cereal stubble, rice hulls and the waste from feedlots,” Nick said.

“That’s the production side, then we need to demonstrate how ag can adopt and use the technology.

“Currently the new and emerging renewables are city-centric and mainstream.

“They don’t correlate with how agriculture and inland Australia needs to adapt to the emerging renewables market, so we’ve analysed the gaps and identified where to make the investment.

“The critical measure for the success of these programs is seeing the increase in adoption of technology and therefore the improvements in sustainability measures as well as productivity improvements.”

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has welcomed the investment and said it would help boost sustainability in the sector.

“Initiatives such as this are good for farmers,” Senator Watt said.

Will we soon be driving hydrogen-powered tractors?