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Production improves but issues remain
BY ELIZA REDFERN
IF THE past few seasons have taught us anything, it’s that dairy markets are not immune to global pressures.
Although Australia’s just-finished season has come with some decided improvements, there will always be challenges to navigate.
Australia’s milk production increased 3.1 per cent (to 8.376 billion litres) over the 2023-24 season, largely attributed to the lower comparable figures of the previous season and more favourable weather conditions.
This beat initial expectations, however, increased milk flows were occurring at a time when economic pressures created difficulty in both global and domestic markets.
On the international stage, the competitiveness of Australian dairy products somewhat improved over the 2023-24 season — tighter global supply supported international export pricing and shipping challenges along key routes diverted additional demand towards Oceania product.
Nevertheless, Australian dairy exports only increased one per cent last season, totalling almost 705,000 tonnes.
Purchasing activity from importers globally has become more price sensitive as costs bite across the supply chain, and China’s own economic woes (and strong local production) continue to weigh on the dairy export market.
As such, Chinese buyers purchased 30 per cent less Australian dairy over the season, with other key markets soaking up the balance.
Product shipped to Japan increased 22 per cent, supporting total cheese exports, and buyers across the South- East Asia region imported 23 per cent more Australian dairy than in the 2022-23 season.
At the same time, Australian dairy remained under pressure from overseas product domestically.
Almost 312,000 tonnes of dairy was imported into Australia over the 2023-24 season; while this was nine per cent lower than the previous season, it was still higher than the two seasons prior.
There are a variety of reasons overseas dairy products are imported into Australia, with
economic factors being a key driver in recent years.
Considering Australia’s modest milk production recovery, improved product competitiveness and shipping challenges (impacting the flow of product into Australia, not just out), less dairy was sourced from New Zealand (-7 per cent), Europe (-7 per cent) and the United States (-24 per cent) over the 2023-24 season.
The 2024-25 season is now under way, bringing with it some new developments (lower farm gate milk prices) and some old aspects (weather and economic challenges).
Considering the impacts these may carry for milk flows this season, Dairy Australia is forecasting total production to drop slightly, maintaining a national milk pool around 8.3 billion litres.
Economic challenges will likely remain a feature of dairy markets in the months to come — with limited recovery in export markets foreseen in the near term, regaining domestic market share will likely be a focus for many manufacturers.
Eliza Redfern is Dairy Australia’s Analysis and Insights manager.
Ready for the ‘cow Olympics’. PG.8
Lely Australia Conference. PGS.10-11 & 16-17
Day out lifts women’s spirits. PG.18
Australian milk production and imported dairy. Source: Dairy Australia and dairy manufacturers
DA names its chair-elect
QUEENSLAND DAIRY farmer Paul Roderick
has been designated as Dairy Australia’s chairelect and will formally step into his role as chair following the Dairy Australia Annual General Meeting.
The board have also recommended two board nominees to stand for election at the AGM, which will be held on November 26 in Warrnambool, Victoria.
Current Dairy Australia chair James Mann will retire from the board at the AGM, following nine years as a director, including four-anda-half-years as chair.
“Paul’s contributions so far during his time on the board have been deeply valued, and I am confident his extensive knowledge of and passion for dairy will make him an outstanding chair,” Mr Mann said.
“Designating Paul as chair-elect provides a seamless transition as we continue to deliver for farmers and work towards developing Dairy Australia’s next five-year strategic plan.”
Mr Roderick thanked Mr Mann for his leadership and impact over his term as chair.
“James has contributed greatly to Australia’s dairy industry through a wide variety of leadership roles for more than 20 years, championing strategies and activities that support the profitability and sustainability of dairy farmers,” Mr Roderick said.
“I’m grateful for the board’s support and confidence in becoming the chair-elect, and I’m excited for the opportunity to build on James’ legacy by driving strategies that further advance dairy farm businesses and the profitability of our industry.”
First elected to the Dairy Australia Board in November 2020, Mr Roderick has operated his family dairy farm at Harrisville in south-east Queensland for more than 30 years.
He has held a number of industry roles including chair of Subtropical Dairy and was involved in establishing the Young Dairy Network in Queensland.
The terms of two directors — the retiring Mr Mann and Euberta dairy farmer Simone Jolliffe — expire at the AGM, meaning there are two vacancies for the board.
In accordance with its constitution, the board is required to have an appropriate balance of skills and experience that relate to the nature of the business and affairs of Dairy Australia, with at least four directors having milk producer skills.
Both vacancies this year are for directors with milk producer skills.
“After a comprehensive selection process, the two candidates recommended by the Board Selection Committee are Dr James Neal
and Ms Simone Jolliffe,” committee chair Alan Bell said.
Dr Neal has been chair of the Dairy NSW Board since 2020. He farms with his wife and parents near Taree, milking up to 800 cows year-round.
He has extensive skills in agricultural research, development and extension, with a PhD in water use efficiency, yield, nutritive value, and profitability of different dairy forages.
Appointed to the Dairy Australia Board in 2021, Ms Jolliffe has been farming near Wagga Wagga in NSW with her husband since 2000.
Ms Jolliffe has nearly 25 years’ industry involvement outside their farm business in local, state and national roles. She has held various leadership roles in industry research, development and extension as well as advocacy and representation.
Dairy Australia members will vote for directors at the AGM or in advance by proxy.
To be successfully elected to the vacant director roles, each nominee will require a
majority of the votes cast.
All dairy farm business operators are eligible to become members of Dairy Australia and vote at the AGM.
Farmers can contact the Dairy Australia member line on 1800 004 377 or email at membership@dairyaustralia.com.au to become a member or confirm that their details are correct.
Information about participating in the forum and AGM, as well as instructions for voting, will be provided closer to the date. For more information on the director election process, go to: https://www. dairyaustralia.com.au/directorelections#. ZGGx8E9ByHs
Retiring Dairy Australia chair James Mann.
Queensland dairy farmer Paul Roderick is set to become the new chair of Dairy Australia.
Dairy Australia’s chair-elect Paul Roderick (right) with his son Tom Roderick and daughter-in-law Natalija Vine in their Harrisville, Queensland, dairy.
Photo: Lyle Radford
Bega boss says wait for rise
BY GEOFF ADAMS
BEGA CHEESE milk suppliers may have to wait for a recovery in farm gate milk prices.
In an interview marking Bega Cheese’s 125th anniversary, executive chairman Barry Irvin noted the disappointment with the low opening prices for the 2024-25 season compared to last year.
“We have had two strong years of pricing, and probably last year was not reflective of global markets but it did reflect the strong competition for milk,” Mr Irvin said.
“I have to say we would have expected global commodity prices to have begun to improve a little more than they have over the last few months.
“We have been seeing a downward trend for some time.
“We still expect an improvement ... but it’s probably likely to be a little later in the financial year we are currently in, or late in the first half of the next calendar year.”
The Bega Group marked the 125th anniversary with some celebrations around the Bega Valley.
For most of the past century, the milk co-operative enjoyed modest growth, but in the past
10 years, thanks to an energetic expansion policy under Mr Irvin’s stewardship, the company revenue has increased from the $1 billion mark to $3.3 billion.
Their brands include the iconic Vegemite and Bega Peanut Butter, acquired in 2017, as well as Dairy Farmers, Dare, Farmers Union Greek Style Yogurt, Farmers Union Iced Coffee, Pura, Masters, Big M, Daily Juice, Zooper Dooper, Mildura, Prima and others through the 2021 acquisition of the Lion Dairy and Drinks business.
The company is leading the Bega Valley’s push to improve sustainability with a Regional Circularity Co-operative (RCC) and the ‘Bega Circular Valley 2030’ program, aiming to make the Bega Valley the most circular regional economy in Australia by 2030.
“Can we get better outcomes in terms of costs, or better environmental outcomes,”
Mr Irvin said they were asking.
“Can we use our resources better? It’s a heavy duty collaboration with the community and all levels of government.
“It’s a way of thinking about your entire community.”
Barry Irvin talks about Bega’s past and future, and what energises him in his key position, in a podcast recorded by Country News, a sister publication of
https://www.dairynewsaustralia. com.au/news/bega-boss-says-wait-forbetter-milk-prices/
ADF WELCOMES NEW AGRICULTURE MINISTER
Australian Dairy Farmers has welcomed the new Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins.
ADF president Ben Bennett said he was pleased to welcome a minister from a strong state for agricultural production, including dairy. Ms Collins is a Tasmanian MP.
“We appreciate Minister Collins’ acknowledgement of the vital role that agriculture plays in our country,” Mr Bennett said.
“The Australian dairy industry is the third largest agricultural industry in Australia and dairy farmers are world leaders in quality, innovation and sustainability, producing milk and dairy products that are in high demand both domestically and internationally.
“However, the dairy industry faces serious challenges, including the ongoing issues of profitability, sustainability and regulation.
“Those challenges require strategic policy support and robust collaboration between government and industry stakeholders.
“We look forward to working collaboratively to address the challenges and harness the opportunities ahead.”
Mr Bennett said ADF was inviting the minister on a farm tour, providing the opportunity for her to engage directly with industry experts and local farmers, witness first-hand the innovative practices that make dairy a global leader and discuss the issues impacting the dairy sector.
The National Farmers’ Federation has also welcomed Ms Collins’ appointment.
The NFF’s Jolyon Burnett said having a minister from a state where primary industries remained a significant contributor to the local economy should ensure a keener ear would be given to the needs of the sector.
Dairy News Australia. After almost 25 years as chairman, is he expecting a tap on the shoulder?
New Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
Bega Group chairman Barry Irvin.
Holly is building her empire
AT JUST 19, Holly Anderson might be the youngest Australian cattle breeder to have a bull placed in the artificial insemination system.
Empire Banks P has been picked up by Genetics Australia and is expected to have semen available from this spring.
While Holly’s Empire Jerseys stud is relatively new, she hails from a family that has been producing top-quality Jerseys for decades.
Holly’s parents Rob and Kerrie operate Kings Ville Jerseys, which has sold 28 bulls into AI and was last year named one of Jersey Australia’s inaugural master breeders.
Kings Ville was started in 1987 by Rob with the support of his parents, Bert and Winsome, who established Kings View Jerseys in 1961.
Holly was keen to go one step further and came up with the name Empire to reign over the Kingdom.
“I always joked with Dad whenever one of my cows had a girl that my empire was growing and that’s how Empire Jerseys was created,” Holly said.
“My family has Kings in their stud names, I still wanted my stud to be connected with them but to be separate at the same time.”
Holly says there is some friendly rivalry within the family — and she beat her dad who was 24 when he sold his first bull to AI — but she acknowledges their support.
“I must be close to being the youngest to get a bull into AI,” Holly said.
“I’m happy to get that goal ticked off and hopefully I’ll get more in the future, but I’m very thankful to Mum and Dad because it wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for them.”
Holly’s journey to AI breeding success started when she was 12 and got to take her pick of any heifer in the calf shed, an offer that was extended to her older sisters Em and Meg.
“I chose Archer Belle — she had Matt Belle, the dam of Empire Banks,” Holly said.
“I didn’t base it off what she looked like; I chose her because she had the highest BPI in the calf shed. It was a case of mind over heart.”
In 2021, Holly started Empire Jerseys and in 2023 she started fulltime work on the farm. She now has full control over what bulls she uses.
“Because I’m relatively new to the game, when it comes to my breeding objectives, I aim for polled as well as creating more efficient and productive cows.
“When Matt Belle was born and I saw that she had ideal numbers being the highest BPI Jersey heifer in Australia, it gave me the hope that one day she would put a bull into AI.
“When I looked at the number of bulls Mum and Dad had sent into AI, getting my own bull in the system definitely became a goal of mine.
“When Matt Belle had her first son, he was just a couple short on BPI which taught me the value of genomics, the challenges that come
with a changing criteria base and to focus on important reliant traits for the Jersey breed.
“I was fortunate enough for Matt Belle to have another son — Banks. When his genomics arrived, it was an exciting moment and I thought he had a good chance.
“I’m a bit biased due to the strong relationship I have created with Banks but I do hope he goes on to do well.”
While Belles are the main family within Empire Jerseys, the budding stud also boasts Banks, Melmiss and Eran among others, including several Fernleafs she owns by herself as well as co-owns with her sisters.
“I’d love to get a bull from the Fernleaf family into AI,” Holly added.
“I’ve got a real soft spot for Jerseys due to being a fifth-generation dairy farmer.
SUN, SURF AND A DAIRY CONFERENCE
Northern Victorian dairy farmer and industry leader Monique Bryant is the new programming chair for the 2025 Australian Dairy Conference in Queensland.
A third-generation farmer, Monique grew up passionate about the dairy industry.
After completing an agribusiness degree at the University of Melbourne she worked at Rural Finance (Rural Bank) and Tatura Milk (Bega) in dairy-focused roles before purchasing the family farm at Kaarimba (husband Mark’s side of the family) in 2007.
Since then they have added more land, irrigation water and cows to the business.
Despite the many challenges that have been thrown at the business, being involved in the dairy industry still makes Monique smile every day.
“There have been a lot of challenges as a dairy farmer but I get to work alongside my family every day doing something I really enjoy. How lucky am I,” she said.
ADC 2025 will be held on the Gold Coast from February 12 to 14.
“ADC has a reputation for raising the bar each year regarding content, speakers and the delegate experience, and I am honoured to lead the Programming Committee for Gold Coast 2025,” Monique said.
“We aim to strive high and think differently as we curate Australia’s premier dairy event.
“I really hope that dairy farmers across the country take some time to invest in ADC as a platform to explore opportunities, get out of their comfort zone and
“I see the Jersey cow playing a big part into the sustainable future due to their size and production and can see Australian Jersey genetics going very far around the world.”
Holly has embraced the industry and is vice-president of Gippsland Dairy Youth Group.
“I enjoy organising events and helping to encourage the next generation,” she said.
“It’s important to have a supported environment and build relationships with like-minded people.”
Genetics Australia CEO Anthony Shelly said no-one on the GA team could recall a younger breeder supplying a bull to the team.
“It’s exciting news for the Jersey breed, not only have enthused youth but to have Holly leading the way,” he said.
“No doubt she has been mentored by some strong family influences, yet Holly has still had the vision and passion to create her own herd and breeding program.
“We are proud to be associated with such an inspirational young achiever and look forward to many more Empire bulls joining the Genetics Australia team.”
Empire Banks P is a particularly well-balanced bull with BPIg $342, and an excellent production profile with strong kilos and components along with appealing health traits, Survival +110, Cell Count +134, Mastitis Resistance +105, combined with linear scores that excel for strength and udders.
gather with colleagues in an empowering and progressive forum.
“I hope they take the opportunity to head to Gold Coast for some sun, fun and celebrate our great industry.”
Close to the dairy regions of southern Queensland and northern NSW, the Gold Coast will be the hub for exploration, knowledge-sharing, and a whole lot of fun, according to ADC president and NSW dairy farmer Rose Philipzen.
“Dairy farmers and people involved in the industry are incredibly hard workers with ongoing demands operating dairy businesses,” Rose said.
“ADC is seeking to combine one of the key learning and knowledge-sharing forums with the opportunity for some much-needed time off or family vacation.”
Holly Anderson, her father Rob and grandmother Winsome with Empire Banks.
Photo: Kerrie Anderson
Monique Bryant.
Ready for the ‘cow Olympics’
BY SOPHIE BALDWIN
THERE MIGHT be a new group behind the organisation, but for five young dairy farmers the opportunity will still be the same, as they take the trip of a lifetime to visit some industry sights and compete at the Young Breeders School in Belgium.
The Young Breeders School provides an opportunity for attendees to test out their showing and fitting skills over two days, culminating in a competition where the Australian team will compete against other young farmers from 19 countries.
More than 180 young farmers participate in the school and 30,000 people visit the show every year.
Ryan Barker, Tasmania; Bridget Liebelt, South Australia; Elly Simms, NSW; and Hayden King and Patrick Anderson, both from Victoria, represented Australia on the trip which kicked off on August 24.
For 25-year-old Bridget, who grew up on a dairy farm and has been showing cows since she was eight years old, the trip will be an awesome opportunity to work on her showmanship skills.
“I am grateful to be chosen and I am really looking forward to the trip,” she said.
“I haven’t been overseas at all and I can’t wait to get to the school, meet other young farmers and experience everything the trip has to offer.”
Organiser Justin Johnston said the trip was a great experience for young dairy farmers and it was something he
wanted to see continue in the future.
Not only do the team get the opportunity to compete at the breeders school, they also get to take a look at some different farms in Holland including a barn, grazing and robot system.
They will also take a tour of a seed facility, among other things.
“I was part of the first original trip back in 2019 and I thought the experience was invaluable so along with the committee (Simon Tognola, Julia Paulger and Brent Mitchell) we have made it happen, along with help from our sponsors,” Justin said.
The organising team raised $32,000 — half in cash donations and half from an auction from donated goods held at the Bendigo Winter Fair.
Justin said 19 young farmers put their hands up to be involved in the trip, eight were pre-selected for an interview by the panel and then the final five were chosen.
“The team will get the chance to show off their cattle skills to over 30,000 people, network with other industry professionals and also get to tour around Belgium — there are not too many opportunities left for young farmers in the industry these days so it is important we keep what we have so we encourage them to stay in the industry,” he said.
Callum McPhee, 32, from Deniliquin has the job of mentoring the Australian team.
His family has been running Hillview Park Holsteins since 1956 and he has been showing cows
himself since he was a young boy.
His family milk 300 cows and Callum said he is always looking to improve the next generation.
“The goal is always to breed an animal good enough to compete in the show ring,” Callum said.
He is looking forward to heading to Belgium and taking on the role of a mentor.
“I guess my role will be to use my experience to help the team if they run into a problem and to drive them around as well,” he said.
“It will be great to travel to Belgium and the networking and learning opportunities for the team will be amazing.
“It is still a competition, a bit like the cow Olympics, and we will be competitive and do Australia proud.”
A2 MILK AND SYNLAIT SETTLE DISPUTE
The dual-listed dairy company a2 Milk has agreed to pay its New Zealand supplier almost $NZ25 million ($A22.7 million) to settle a long-running dispute between the two parties.
A2 Milk Company and Synlait Milk had been at loggerheads since October when a2 tried to cancel its arrangement to exclusively use Synlait milk for its a2 Platinum infant formula product.
A2 said it had the right to cancel the deal after Synlait failed to meet product volume targets for 2022-23, while Synlait said the notice was not valid under their supply agreement and issues regarding prices and intellectual property of a2 Milk baby formula product specifications.
Following a process of binding arbitration, the companies agreed the October cancellation notice was valid and that a2
Vertical Feed-mixers
The Young Breeders School is an international event created in 1999. It is aimed at young people aged 13 to 25 years, with the main aim to teach
Milk had the right to source milk from any supplier, although Synlait said it expected a2 would still use it in the short term.
“Settling these disputes is another positive step forward in our business recovery plan," Synlait chief executive Grant Watson said.
As part of the deal, a2 Milk will make a one-off payment to Synlait of $NZ24.75 million.
For 60 years the heart of the RENN Roller Mill has been its precisionmachined 16” diameter rolls which provide more grain rolling area per revolution compared to other brands of roller mills with smaller diameter rolls.
RENN Roller Mills save time and money year after year by rolling more grain per hour with less horsepower.
young breeders their way around a dairy cow and improve their knowledge on optimising selection and show preparation.
Cash-strapped Synlait has also agreed to hold a capital raise as part of the deal and a2, a major shareholder, has agreed to participate.
The parties also agreed that a2 Milk owns the intellectual property rights for its infant milk formula product specifications and that Synlait would continue to meet annual product targets.
Callum McPhee and his partner
Meg Erickson. Callum, from Deniliquin, has the job of mentoring the Australian team at the Young Breeders School in Belgium.
Bridget Liebelt from South Australia is part of the Australian team competing at the Young Breeders School in Belgium.
Farmers join global network
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
LELY INTERNATIONALLY founded the Red Cow Community in 2017, to recognise dairy farmers who are using at least eight of their robot milking units and milking 500 cows, at a minimum.
Australian dairy farmers were recently recognised, in Gippsland, Victoria, at Lely Australia’s Connect, Care and Grow conference in late July.
The first Lely robot milking units installed in Australia were on a Gippsland dairy farm, in 2001. On this farm, 300 cows were milked through four Lely Astronaut A2 milking robots on a pasture grazing system.
Eventually those robots were on-sold, and installed on a Tasmanian dairy farm, where they are still working.
Gaining the Red Cow award brings Australian dairy farmers into a community that includes farmers across Canada, Argentina, Belarus, Italy, Denmark, Japan, Sweden, Russia, Germany, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Lely Oceania cluster manager Wil van Vorstenbosch said the Red Cow Community enabled dairy farmers to network with others who were also managing large dairy farms, to discuss common challenges and learn about each others’ systems.
“We at Lely care about our farmers,” Wil said. “We aim to grow together with our dairy farmers to achieve continuous improvement.”
The Australian dairy farmers who have now
joined the Red Cow community are a mix of owners and sharefarmers. They are:
Josh Bishop and Rowan Stokes, Wild Dog Dairy, Stokes, Tasmania.
Rachel Millhouse and Matthew Radford with Andrew Radford, Radford Bros, Riana, Tasmania.
Grant and Leesa Williams, Willora Farms, Hallora, Victoria.
Peter and Lisa Vening, Hedley, Victoria.
Stuart Seabrook and Ray Howe, Bonnie View Pastoral Co P/L, Drouin, Victoria.
Michael, Jodie and Jake Connor, Nangkita Dairies P/L, Mt Compass, South Australia.
Perrin Hicks and Asher Jacobs, Hicks-Jacobs Dairies, Mt Compass, South Australia.
Jacinta and Josh Clark, Fiander-Moor Partnership, Mt Gambier, South Australia.
Margaret, Gordon, Ben, Ashley and Justin Lockett, Stanvale Farms, Neerim North,
Victoria.
For more photos of Red Cow farmers, go to: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au/news/
farmers-join-global-network/
For more stories and photos from the Lely Australia Conference go to pages 11, 16 and 17.
A life-size red cow statue welcomed visitors to Willora Farms at Hallora, for the Lely Australia Conference.
Rachel Millhouse and Matthew Radford, Radford Bros, Riana, Tasmania.
Brydie, Shawn, Lisa and Peter Vening, Hedley, Victoria.
Perrin Hicks and Asher Jacobs, Hicks-Jacobs Dairies, Mt Compass, South Australia.
Robot units change workload
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
THE FARMER panel at the Lely conference in Gippsland represented a diversity of dairy farmers who have installed Lely robot milking units.
It comprised Lisa and Shawn Vening from Hedley in Victoria, Asher Jacobs from Fleerieu in South Australia and John van Adrichem from Togari in Tasmania. Dale Serong from Lely Center Gippsland was the facilitator.
Asher said he “looked over the fence” at what his neighbour was doing and was impressed enough to contact Lely and compare the cost of upgrading his herringbone system to installing robot units.
Lifestyle and labour were big factors in his and his partner’s decision-making.
“Our young children were a key driver for us to change to robot units,” Asher said.
“The cost replaced a workers wage.”
He said they installed the RUs next to the swingover herringbone platform.
This enabled them to train their cows after milking on the herringbone platform to access grain
through the RU system, in readiness for change.
“This meant they knew where the grain was from day one,” Asher said.
“Pre-training helped a lot for when we switched over.”
There were some issues in the first few weeks.
“Getting the draft gates right for grazing would have been good from the start, but the infrastructure was still arriving,” Asher said.
Lisa and Shawn Vening are the fourth and fifth generation working in the dairy industry.
Lisa and her husband Paul wanted to invest in a new dairy that incorporated the ambitions of their three sons.
“The boys wanted to work on the farm and were interested in the dairy industry,” Lisa said.
“We didn’t want the boys busting their guts, and we wanted them to spend time with their young families.”
The entire family worked together to build the infrastructure — a new shed, cattle yards and drafting set-up, laneways, reconfiguring paddocks, a feed pad and effluent dam.
Their commitment saw them working 20-hour days, building the infrastructure, continuing to farm,
and milking in the old dairy.
“Don’t do everything yourself,” Shawn said.
“We were working all day then stopping at 6pm to milk cows.”
He also recommended simplifying
the amount of herd management data available.
“I can spend hours going through information to decide who to join to who,” Shawn said. In contrast, Lisa enjoys sifting
through the data.
“I’ve got six generations of pedigrees in some cow families,” Lisa said.
Shawn said the robot milking system had changed for the better how the entire family farmed.
“We enjoy doing the other farm work, but we’re not stuck milking twice a day,” Shawn said.
John van Adrichem was the first Tasmanian dairy farmer to install Lely RUs, and he took himself to technician school to learn how to service the units.
His family farm transitioned from a herringbone to a rotary platform, before John inquired about the RUs.
“After four days, seeing the cows walking to the dairy on their own, I knew I’d done the right thing,” John said.
He recommended being open to changing your farming systems.
“I started with ABC grazing, but it didn’t work,” John said.
“It needed perseverance. You need a bit of lolly. We started feeding a biscuit of hay. You have to be open to change.
“In particular, training the heifers to three grazings per day was very important. They don’t know what to do.”
Farmer panel members discussed their journeys using Lely robot milking units. (From left) facilitator Dale Serong with John van Adrichem, Asher Jacobs, and Lisa and Shawn Vening.
The Jersey ‘sale of the year’
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
RETIREMENT PREDICATED the dispersal sale of Lerida Park Jersey cows and in-calf heifers on August 15.
Rhys and Lauren Smethurst sold their dairy farm at Princetown, in south-west Victoria. Then their renowned registered milking herd were sold in the on-property sale.
“The neighbour was looking for another farm to buy, and none of our children wanted to succeed to the farm,” Rhys told Dairy News Australia
“Lauren and I want to spend more time with our children and grandchildren, who all live some distance away.”
Those considerations correlated with the couple’s decision to sell and finish their long association with the dairy industry and breeding Jersey cattle.
Rhys and Lauren will continue to live in the local district, on a smallholding at Camperdown.
While the milking herd was sold in August, Rhys and Lauren are raising the yearlings and calves on their new property and an outblock, and expect to sell them in-calf in two sales in 2025.
“The yearlings will be available as autumn calvers, and we’ll join the heifer calves for spring-calving next year,” Rhys said.
“It means we’ll have two more sales, unless these young cattle are sold privately.”
The Lerida Park prefix will continue, with purchases by some significant studs and a Smethurst family member, as well as a new buyer.
“My cousin, Troy, bought 23 cattle and they’ll go to Smethurst Park at Athlone,” Rhys said.
Rhys’ father, Bruce, established Lerida Park stud in 1966, with a nucleus of cows from the herd of his brother, Jim.
“It’s great that someone in the family will continue on with these cows,” Rhys said.
Troy Smethurst is adding the Lerida Park Jerseys to his registered Holstein and Brown Swiss herds on his farm at Athlone, Victoria.
He paid the sale top of $11,500 for lot 39, the recently calved Lerida Park Raceway Sabina 78, born 2021, A2A2, and classified VG86 as a two-year-old.
Troy competed for this young cow against a lot of bids from the floor of the sale, while he
“Troy decided to take the opportunity of this dispersal to buy the very best of many decades of selective breeding, and keep the bloodlines in the Smethurst family.”
Troy also purchased lot 54, the five-year-old and recently calved cow Lerida Park Pilgrim Rose 419, EX93 and milking 8000 litres, for $10,000; as well as a number of animals ranging in price from $6500 to $8000.
“Indeed, these selections will form a wonderful foundation for the Jersey section of what is already a tremendous herd of cows at Smethurst Park,” Brian said.
“I think the Lerida Park dispersal sale is one of the great Jersey herds that’s ever been sold, and I know these cows will go away and do a tremendous job for their new owners,” he said.
“We advertised it as the ‘Jersey Dispersal Sale of the Year’. These cows are big production, high genomics, great type and the cows are in great form.”
Some of the bidders have been long-term clients of Lerida Park, buying young cows and joined heifers over many years to add their genetics to their own herds.
These bidders included Graeme and Lisa
Among their purchases, Sandra and Daniel Bacon, Brookbora Jerseys, Tennyson, Victoria, paid $6000 for lot 20, Lerida Park Woodside Lucy 235, a four-year-old due to calve in September, joined to sexed semen from Roulette.
Corey Couch, Ocean Acres Jerseys, Laang, Victoria, purchased lot 9, Lerida Park Tahbilk Lucy 182, EX92, born 2019 and due in September to Broadway, for $9250.
The Couch, Bell and Ferrari syndicate paid $9000 for lot 145, Lerida Park Eclipse Selley 2-ET, EX92. She is a daughter of Royal Show Champion Fleurieu Astound Selley, EX93.
Robbie Salter and Danny Griffiths, Kerang, paid $9000 for lot 116, Lerida Park Malachi Countess 409, EX92, born 2018, calved March this year and rejoined by AI to Big Red.
Helena Brown, HD Farming, Jindivick, added to her nucleus herd. Dairy News Australia has previously published a story about her growing investment in dairy [https:// www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au/news/ starting-to-build-her-dream/].
Helena bought the 2022 Junior Champion Southwest Challenge when she paid $3000 for lot 16, Lerida Park ASKN Lucy 214, VG86, A2A2.
“I bought 12 cattle, a mix of cows and heifers in this consignment, including several in-calf with sexed semen,” Helena told Dairy News
“I now have 31 head, all in-calf, and 25 of those are registered. Given we have so many registered cows in our herd now, we think we’ll change our focus and source more, with the idea of registering our own stud prefix.”
Helena’s new purchases included the cow families Sabina, Rose, Lucy and Prim. Robbie Wilson, Jamber Farms, Jamberoo, NSW, was a keen bidder at the sale and bought a truckload, including cow families Lucy, Rosemaree, Countess and Rosebud.
Siblings Cameron Thompson and Lisa McKay of Linsand Farms, Irrewillipe, bought cows fresh in milk, including lot 60, Lerida Park Stux Rose 424, classified 85 as a two-year-old and reclassified recently as EX90, born 2019, for $9000. G. and L. Bryce of Green Pines Jerseys, Nullawarre, bought Lerida Park Chrome Sabina 74, EX, for $8250; and Lerida Park Woodside Rosemaree 226 at $7000. She was the top selling joined heifer.
The selling agents were Dairy Livestock Services, and the on-farm sale was integrated online with Stocklive.
The sale of 191 Jerseys grossed $722,600, for an average of $3785. The 24 spring-calving heifers averaged $3645, and the 167 cows averaged $3805.
For an extended report on the sale, go to: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au/ news/the-jersey-sale-of-the-year/
Watching the sale of Lerida Park Jersey cows and heifers were Lerida Park principal Rhys Smethurst (top) and his father, Bruce Smethurst (bottom), who established the stud in 1966.
Troy Smethurst is adding Lerida Park Jerseys to his registered Holstein and Brown Swiss herds on his farm at Athlone. He paid the sale top of $11,500 for lot 39, Lerida Park Raceway Sabina 78 (pictured).
Photos: Dairy Livestock Services
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Plan early for succession
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
BUSINESS SUCCESSION in Australia will see $5 trillion of wealth transferred between generations in the next decade.
That requires a good understanding of the implications of good and bad succession planning in agriculture.
Bad succession planning is dying rather than having conversations that are sometimes hard, and refusing to make decisions that avoid unnecessary legal and tax expenses.
A good succession plan replaces assumptions, provides clarity for everyone, avoids legal challenges, and can provide a comfortable retirement for the principals.
A good succession plan identifies the property, assets and ownership structure of the business — and may lead to advice about changing the ownership structure of the business so it can be run more effectively and efficiently.
These were the messages at a farmers’ gathering near Bairnsdale recently.
Succession planning is about more than planning for the business, it is also about financial planning for retirement.
It is a risk management tool that enables the current owners to identify where their income for retirement is coming from, what insurances they need to keep paying, and where their income is being generated from.
Retirement at 67 years old for many people is unachievable now in Australia. That includes farmers.
In the next 10 years, in Australia, agriculture is one of the key industries where $5 trillion value of wealth transfer will occur through succession planning, said Ken White, one of the speakers and the principal accountant at White’s Accounting and Taxation Solutions.
A poor or non-existent succession plan affects how the assets and income of the farm business are assessed for the current and next generation.
A good succession plan enables the current farm owners to plan for an active retirement, identifies how they transition out of ownership, and how other people transition into ownership.
Ken said a number of Australian Tax Office and Centrelink concessions were available, but lack of planning put these at risk.
These included how GST, Capital Gains Tax, Stamp Duty, superannuation and gifting rules were applied.
Ken encouraged farmers to seek their accountant’s advice about how to frame their succession plans to the advantage of
themselves and their successors, whether that was inter-generational transfer or the sale of the farm and its assets.
Ken recommended not leaving the issue of inheritance until after death. For one thing, transfer of wealth into superannuation during the principal’s lifetime had clear advantages.
“The sale of assets, even to family members, realises income that can be articulated into the superannuation fund of the exiting person or people,” he said.
“The dispersal of assets should be spread over several years, if possible.”
Dispersal staggered over several years affected income and tax assessment.
But assets transferred after the principal’s death — as inheritance — were very complicated to value.
Chris Jehu, principal of Countryside Business Partners and one of the speakers at the gathering, has facilitated many families through the succession planning process.
“Planning looks after current and future ownership,” he said.
Estate planning identifies how the assets are to be distributed. Retirement planning ensures wealth is adequate enough to meet your future needs. Transitioning the family business is about identifying what components need to continue, and under what management or control methods.
“But not every business has to be succeeded,” Chris said.
Succession shouldn’t be a ‘one size fits all’ situation.
“Therefore, it’s important to identify and know what components of succession planning is relevant to you,” he said.
“First there needs to be clear communication about the expectations of everyone involved.
“Approval of the way forward means implementation could be in stages, with targets and covering clearly articulated life stages and market events.”
This might include clearing sales of equipment and machinery, valuing of stock, and sale of stock.
For example, in a livestock enterprise that focuses on breeding, the progeny still have to be sold in a timely manner. In an animal agribusiness that focuses on finishing or fattening, the finished livestock have to be sold at the targeted weights.
In a horticulture or cropping farm business, product still has to be grown, harvested and sent to market.
These are the types of ongoing business transactions that should be documented in a succession plan against market events, Chris said.
“It’s also important that if assets are distributed before the will is read, activities need to be documented.”
There were some key legal tools that helped ensure good succession planning, according to Katherine Argentino, a lawyer and director of Argentino Law.
That included a Deed of Family Arrangement, that supports the will and estate plan, and outlines the agreement between all people with an interest in an inheritance.
“It helps to lock in the agreed arrangement and is signed by every family member involved in the succession,” Katherine said.
She recommends starting the succession conversation early. Katherine also recommends regularly reviewing the succession plan.
“Succession planning should be gradual and thoughtful, with lots of sharing of information and perspective, so it’s almost a non-event when it happens,” she said.
“Communication is key to success. Open, honest conversations are vital. No one likes a [life changing] surprise, at the end of the day.
“A plan should also be reviewed every three to five years, to ensure it encompasses anything that’s changed.
“Ensure any changes or transfers that occurred during that time are documented.”
She also recommended ensuring supporting documents are reviewed and up-todate – including wills, power of attorney, end of life care, binding death nominees on superannuation.
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Lely was connecting, caring and
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
MORE THAN 100 dairy farmers and service providers from across Australia, with a few overseas visitors, attended the Lely Australia Connect, Care and Grow conference, held in Gippsland in late July.
The primary regions for installation of Lely robot milking units (RUs) in Australia are Tasmania, South Australia and Gippsland.
The bulk of these installations are in Tasmania and Victoria.
Gippsland was the place of origin of the first Lely RU installation in Australia, in 2001, at the farm of Max and Evelyn Warren, who installed four Lely Astronaut A2 units at Winnindoo. They milked 300 cows.
It was a world-first in operating RUs in a pasture-based milking situation.
As well as running their dairy farm, Max and Evelyn Warren created a tourism operation where visitors could see the robot milking machinery in operation, as well as view and operating a small scale of the farm.
In 2004, they won the Hugh Mackay Innovation Award for their business.
A few years later, Max and Evelyn replaced their units with four Lely Astronaut A3 milking robots.
They have since sold that dairy farm, but those units are still in service, on the share farm of Wild Dog Dairy in Scotchtown, Tasmania, operated by Josh Bishop and Rowan Stokes.
Gippsland has always been a growth area for RUs.
Ten years ago, 14 per cent of Australian dairy farms with RUs were located in Gippsland. Lely was a significant contributor to that number.
“There are now 275 Lely RUs installed and operating in Australia, with an average of five milking robots per farm,” Lely Oceania and Asia marketing manager Rene van Dalen said.
“Tasmania and Victoria have the bulk of the installs, with approximately 220 RUs.
“In the last three years, we’ve seen a very high increase in interest in robotic milking.
“In South Australia, we have installed more than 40 RUs in the past three years.
“People see them working well on their neighbours’ farms.
“We’re expecting interest to continue to grow in the next few years.”
There are now Lely service centers in five Australian states, installing and providing support to farmers in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
At the conference, Lely recognised a cohort of Australian dairy farmers milking at least 500 cows with RUs, joining them to the global Red Cow membership.
There were several attendees attending the conference because they were considering installing RUs.
Michael and Oscar Kowald from Mt Torrens, South Australia, are converting their dairy farm to RUs.
“We’re about 80 per cent along with the conversion to install two units,” Michael said.
Rene van Dalen, marketing manager for Lely Oceania and Asia, says there are 275 Lely robot milking units installed and operating in Australia, with an average of five robots per farm.
Attendees at the farm of Leesa and Grant Williams, Willora Farms in Hallora, listen to Leesa Williams (far left).
Dairy farmers Ella, Marcus and Pauline Young, from Ridgley in Tasmania. work together as three generations on their farm. They milk in a herringbone dairy and attended the Lely conference with an eye on their future plans.
caring and growing with farmers
Pauline, Marcus and Ella Young operate a herringbone dairy system at Ridgley, Tasmania. They were at the conference to listen and see what was happening on other farms.
“We’re milking 400 cows twice a day in a herringbone dairy,” Marcus said.
“There’s three generations of us involved in the farm.
“We’re at the conference because we’re thinking about how to change to robot units.”
A local participant in the farm tours was Al Grant, who has a dairy farm at Warragul South.
“I’m still milking 200 cows in a rotary dairy, but I thought it would be good to have a look at these systems,” he said.
A consistent consideration for attendees to switch to RUs was to bypass labour issues.
One of the farm tours was hosted by Leesa and Grant Williams, Willora Farms at Hallora, Victoria.
They first invested in Lely Astronaut A3 robots in 2009, upgrading them in 2013 to Astronaut A4s.
Then in 2021, they installed their second suite of RUs, the Astronaut A5s, alongside their rotary platform.
They now operate 10 RUs across their two farms, milking a combined 600 cows.
Leesa and Grant operate the longest running robotic dairy farm in Australia.
Leesa said the spread and number of dairy farms created a strong support network.
“With so many RU farmers around now, if someone in the network has a personal problem, there’s always someone who can step in
and help if you unexpectedly need to leave the farm for a while,” she said.
Her son was able to manage another farm when the owner was hospitalised, because he understood how the RUs worked.
The other farm tour was hosted by Mel and Luke Wallace, Wallacedale, Poowong North.
They installed three Lely Astronaut A5 robots to milk 210 cows, replacing a herringbone system that milked 160 cows.
“Twelve months to the day after installation we knew it was the right thing to do,” Luke said.
The couple recently returned from a holiday together overseas. Mel said the holiday was a direct result of changing their system after installing the RUs.
Luke had also started running marathons.
Globally, this year Lely has installed its 50,000th RU, a growth of 30,000 units in the past decade.
Lely Australia cluster manager Wil van Vorstenbosch told conference attendees the future of the dairy industry relied on farming practices that received the approval of consumers.
“The farm of the future needs to provide opportunities for consumers to engage in conversations about improved environments, animal welfare, and the origins of sustainable and nutritious dairy products,” he said.
“Lely systems enable farmer prosperity while achieving those consumer expectations.”
One example is how Lely systems have changed according to geographic interest.
The original design was based on European
dairy systems, with cows barn-housed for a significant portion of the year.
Wil said moving into markets in New Zealand and Australia had caused the company to change its systems to suit a pasture grazed system.
Lely the company is still privately owned by the same family – they are descendants of brothers Cornelis and Arij van der Lely, who founded it in 1948 in the Netherlands.
“Many innovations later, Lely is focused on dairy automation related products, all aimed at making our farmers’ lives easier,” Wil said.
The conference saw presentations from Lely, DLL and Rabobank staff, a farmer panel, and visits to two dairy farms in West Gippsland. For photo galleries from both days of the conference, go to: www.dairynewsaustralia. com.au
Wil van Vorstenbosch, Lely Australia cluster manager, says the future of the dairy industry relied on farming practices that received the approval of consumers
Mark and Adam Dee from Macorna North in Victoria have invested in eight robot milking units at their farm, Clydevale Holstein stud.
Victorian dairy farmers Al Grant from Warragul South and Steve Ronalds from Jindivick, who is also co-founder of Gippsland Jersey.
Day out lifts women’s spirits
BY RICK BAYNE
SOUTH-WEST VICTORIAN dairy women
might be facing a tough season at home, but on August 16 they had a reason to smile.
The 2024 Great South West Ladies’ Luncheon in Warrnambool on August 15 was another hit, continuing a tradition that has flourished over the past 15 years.
All 320 places were sold out within two days.
“It was a juggle but we got everyone in,” Great South West Ladies’ Luncheon Committee member Belinda Doolan, who farms in Ecklin South, said.
“We’re lucky we have this venue at Deakin, because I don’t think anywhere else in town would fit us.”
Despite the demand, Belinda said there were no plans to add more luncheons.
“It’s set in the calendar now,” she said.
“We want to keep it with a majority of dairy farmers in the room and give the women an opportunity to catch up, but it’s also open to service industries and sponsors whose support makes the event possible.”
Belinda said the day was a welcome distraction from a tough season.
“We are in harsh circumstances,” she said.
“There are a few things up against dairy farmers at the moment, but we will always come through the other end, and it was great to have this opportunity today.
“Everyone is talking and smiling and it’s exactly what we need today. Dairy farming can be stressful — it is physically challenging and
“The Great South West Ladies Luncheon Committee takes pride in the fact that this event also helps address women’s mental health and wellbeing.
“The luncheon offers a chance for women to connect, relax, reflect, rejuvenate.”
ɋ To see more pictures from the event, go to: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au/ news/day-out-lifts-womens-spirits/
SELF-BELIEF IS KEY, SAYS LIZ ELLIS
Liz Ellis might be best known as an Australian netball legend, but she also has a connection to dairy farming.
Liz was guest speaker at the Great South West Ladies’ Luncheon in Warrnambool on August 15 and could reflect on her own farming journey, along with her notable sporting achievements.
“Apart from being big milk drinkers, my father-in-law was a dairy farmer and my husband grew up on a dairy,” she said.
“He’s a beef farmer today, so I have a bit of insight into the farming industry and a first-hand view about how much of a gamble farming is.
“With farming, you never know where the next bushfires, figuratively speaking, can start.”
Liz enjoys the farming environment.
“We travelled through this area a couple of years ago and were blown away by the beauty and lushness of the dairy country,” she said.
“We live near Byron Bay, which used to be a big dairying region, but the industry there seems to be under a bit of pressure at the moment.”
She told the crowd of 320 about the benefits of playing sport.
“Being involved in sport is so great physically and for your mental health,” she said.
And it can also contribute to self-confidence.
“It was interesting listening to the panel this morning about how to get started in the industry.
The big thing was that it’s not a lack of skills, it’s belief in yourself.
“I like to speak a bit about believing in yourself and that finding someone who believes in you can be equally as powerful.
“The great thing about a lunch like this is that you will find someone who believes in you.”
Liz is regarded by many as one the greatest defenders to play netball, winning three world titles, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, four national league titles and MVP awards with the Sydney Swifts.
She became the national captain in 2004 and remains the most capped player in Australian netball history.
Since retiring in 2007, she has forged a successful career in the media and as a coach.
Great South West Ladies Luncheon Committee member Belinda Doolan with guest speaker and Australian netball legend Liz Ellis.
mentally exhausting, especially in the operating conditions we are experiencing.
Consultant Fiona Smith, accountant Monique Jeffries and dairy farmer Catherine Krybolder.
Kate Richardson, Warrnambool; Theresa McDowall, Childer’s Cove; and Clare McDowall, Naringal.
Renee Whitehead from Timboon and Tanya Campbell from Scott’s Creek.
WestVic Dairy staff making milkshakes were Matt Wood, Sheeraz Ahmad and Lindsay Ferguson.
The Great South West Ladies’ Luncheon organising committee with guest speaker Liz Ellis (back).
Terang friends Alison Gleeson, Brooke Dillon, Kelly Mullen, Monica Heffernan and Faye Clarke.
Norco brings dairy to EKKA
NORCO RETURNED to EKKA, Queensland’s biggest agriculture show, with its fun, interactive and educational experience from August 10 to 18.
Research reveals close to half (45 per cent) of Year 6 kids don’t know their lunchbox items originate from farms and an even bigger number (80 per cent) of primary school students having no idea how modern milk is produced; data likely compounded by the fact that 55 per cent of school aged children had never visited a farm.
Back by popular demand and to help bridge this educational gap, Norco re-launched its ‘Grass to Glass’ farm experience at EKKA this year in an effort to bring a greater level of understanding about dairy farming, agriculture and food origins.
The multi-sensory ‘Grass to Glass’ display combined AR technology and real-life farm experiences to showcase each step of the farming process, via a three-zone learning trail where guests can move from the working farm to the Norco factory, while sampling Norco milk.
Norco supplier Warren Gallagher said it was important to show the next generation how farms operate and to help educate on where their food actually comes from.
“As a parent, I know how fussy kids can be with their food but they also love it when they get to choose their favourite breakfast or dinner,” Warren said.
“The dining table is a great place to start having fun and engaging conversations about where our favourite foods come from.
“I grew up on a dairy farm, so I was lucky enough to connect what I saw around me with what was being put on the table in front of me.
“But of course, that’s not the case for all kids, which is likely why there’s may be a divide between farming and the food they eat.”
To enhance education and play for all attendees, the three sensory zones also included a mix of outdoor games, a cinema experience with farm and factory tour videos, educational facts and an augmented reality game series called Cow’s Play.
There was also the opportunity to attend several milking demonstrations throughout the day, learn how to make cream and butter, and try their hand at milking a cow.
Norco’s commercial and strategy general manager Ben Menzies said Norco’s continued investment and participation at EKKA reflected its commitment to championing Aussie dairy farmers and the integral role they play in Australia’s rural communities.
“EKKA is a beloved and iconic event for Queenslanders, and to be part of it for many years is an absolute honour,” Ben said.
“It’s always a wonderful time where country and city communities come together to celebrate the best of Queensland’s agricultural industry and have some good wholesome family fun that is remembered for years to come.”
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Norco’s ‘Grass to Glass’ aims to educate kids about the importance of dairy.
Breeding for easy-care cows
BREEDING COWS to AI from all around the world was like a fantasy come true for Goulburn Valley dairy farmer Gayle Clark.
Gayle and husband Laurie’s 450-strong herd is 85 per cent Holstein, with the rest made up of Reds and Jerseys.
A lot of thought has gone into creating those cows, along with the decision to
“I was already interested in breeding kelpies, but I was like a kid in a lolly shop when we arrived here,” the Katandra West farmer said. Twenty-five years later, Gayle’s passion has led to a herd of long-lasting, trouble-free and highly productive cows.
transition the herd to VikingGenetics.
“After doing it for 25 years, we want an animal that’s easy care and that’s what we’ve got,” Gayle said.
Gayle likes to use a motor car analogy when describing her cows.
“What struck me about these animals was not only the ease with which they calved, but the speed,” Gayle said.
“I don’t think we had any that took more than 30 minutes, but most had a calf on the ground within 20 minutes of the first signs of the calving being imminent.”
“The cow’s conformation or type is her chassis; her health traits are the running gear — everything from gearbox to tyres — and her genetic productive capacity is her engine.
“She can have the most powerful engine available, but unless that’s harnessed to a chassis that can carry it and has the right running gear to go with it, it won't carry her across a chequered flag.”
Throughout the journey, she came to realise the cows that make the most money are the ones that remain in the herd year after year.
Night watches of the calving paddock are mostly a thing of the past.
They also recognised that for a cow to become an old cow in the herd, her fertility was paramount.
Cows that don’t get in calf, don’t stay in the herd very long.
Gayle hasn’t found a Holstein bull that surpasses VHSparky for daughter fertility, though VHRomello comes close.
These bulls are rated at 6.3 DPR and 4.5 DPR respectively on the United States system.
“Fertility and mastitis resistance are two of the biggest contributing factors that carry a cow through to old age,” Gayle said.
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“Choosing purely on productive capacity from a catalogue gets you a ‘sprinter’; however, if you recognise that the money is with the cows who make old age in your herd, you want a ‘stayer’.”
Gayle’s cows get in-calf repeatedly, have very few health setbacks, and “physically hold together a lot better than most, because their build quality is a house made of bricks, not straw”.
“In general, you don’t notice them until they stand out as old or last of their generation.”
The farm has experienced a few hiccups along the way, and that’s where VikingGenetics came to help.
“We had an extremely wet year in 2016 and lameness was an issue, especially on the tall cows,” Gayle said.
“At the same time, cows over 700kg were struggling to fit in the rotary bails.
“Like many across the world, we started actively seeking a smaller-statured cow; a grazing, walking kind of cow.”
They had a few Red cows in the herd and found an appealing Red bull from VikingGenetics, Foske, to use across them.
Foske made a big impression.
“His progeny were ‘wow’ — they would be the first to get to the dairy, first to the feed, and were well-built with a strong determination to thrive,” Gayle said.
In 2020, the Clarks needed more cows to deal with a huge autumn surplus of feed and purchased a late winter calving herd based on VikingGenetics and in calf to Viking bulls.
“Knowing that the Scandinavian farmer requires a vet to administer mastitis treatment, something we as farmers can do here in Australia, makes the data on health traits very real.”
In years gone by, the Clarks pursued rump correction, using some very white bulls that led to a rising incidence of cancers, mostly eye or third eyelid.
They have been able to reverse that trend thanks to bulls like VHLeyton, VHBerosus, VHNader which have mostly black pigmentation.
The Scandinavian influence has also offered relief from inbreeding.
After transitioning to VikingHolstein, Gayle is happy with the results.
“I needed smaller stature cows and we like the fertility and calving ease,” she said.
She is now handing the breeding reins over to daughter Hayley.
Their son Ethan also works part-time on the farm, along with two other staff members.
“Hayley is a keen cow enthusiast, loves her animals and her engineering background benefits the farm by way of sound decision-making,” Gayle said.
Hayley has applied sexed semen to the herd, leading to a large number of Holstein heifers being born in autumn this year.
ɋ You can read Hayley’s dairy farming story at: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au/ news/excited-about-a-dairy-future/
Gayle Clark with daughter Hayley. Gayle started using VikingGenetics to breed the cows she wanted and hasn’t looked back.
Some of the calves on the Clark farm.
Milking a cow naming theory
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
A GIPPSLAND cow has been named in a local competition to appreciate cows and to measure if her performance improves over the next 12 months because she has a name.
The three-year-old Jersey cow, in James Clyne’s herd on his Newry dairy farm, milked 7717 litres, or 662kg milk solids, last year.
She is the second cow named Clarabelle in his herd. The original Clarabelle is a Holstein cow.
The competition to name a cow was promoted by Southern Rural Water as part of celebrating National Cow Appreciation Day, in July.
The competition attracted entries from across Victoria and was won by Ciele Towb, a local person living in
the Latrobe Valley.
“Clarabelle is a girl’s name of Latin origin, meaning bright and beautiful, and is the name given to Walt Disney’s cartoon cow character who was Minnie Mouse’s best friend,” Ciele said.
“It’s also one of several names used for cows years ago that ended with ‘bell’, possibly referring to the bells once worn around their necks to keep track of them.
“I’m so excited to have won this competition.”
Southern Rural Water manages water allocations for the Macalister Irrigation District, which includes dairy farms in the Newry zone in Central Gippsland.
SRW water supply manager Matt Cook said there were many good suggestions for names for a cow.
Matt said naming a cow in the
Clyne milking herd would enable SRW to measure a hypothesis that cows with names were more productive.
More than 15 years ago in the United Kingdom, Newcastle
GEA’s flush system is engineered to effectively clean dairy farm alleys and holding areas.
FLUSHED AWAY WITH GEA
An effective flush system is crucial in dairy farming, according to GEA effluent equipment product manager Jaco Mostert.
He said a robust flush system regularly removes manure and waste from floors, reducing the risk of infections like mastitis and enhancing overall cow health.
“Effective waste removal also minimises unpleasant odours, creating a more comfortable and healthier living environment for livestock and personnel.”
Jaco said automated flush systems offer significant labour savings by reducing the need for manual cleaning over large areas.
“This allows farmers to focus on essential tasks, thereby boosting overall productivity. Automated systems ensure consistent and thorough cleaning, which can be challenging to achieve manually.”
He said maintaining a clean-living condition enhances cow comfort, directly correlating with increased milk production.
Regular cleaning of floors and equipment also reduces corrosion, extending facility lifespan and cutting maintenance costs.
Jaco said flush systems also help with environmental impacts and regulatory compliance.
“Efficient flush systems facilitate the collection and management of manure, which can be processed and utilised.
Modern flush systems are designed for efficient water use, reducing overall consumption and waste.”
GEA’s flush system is engineered to effectively clean dairy farm alleys and holding areas.
Automated and low maintenance, it requires minimal labour while ensuring cows remain clean and healthy.
It features:
Stainless steel base for durability.
Consistent and controlled flow.
High-volume directional flush.
Labour and time savings.
Simple, reliable controls.
Robust airbag ensures reliable valve operation.
Requires only 40 psi to shut o 8m of head pressure.
“By investing in GEA’s flush system, dairy farms can achieve cleanliness, enhance operational efficiency, manage environmental impact, boost productivity, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain a positive public image,” Jaco said. For more information, contact Jaco Mostert on 0418 253 950. your local GEA dealer or go to: https://www. GEA.com/dairyfarming
University researchers Catherine Douglas and Peter Rowlinson published their original research stating cows with names increased production. Their research identified giving a
dairy cow a name increased production by up to 284 litres.
They measured the interaction of 516 farmers and stock managers with cows, and concluded a more caring attitude towards cows with names created a cow that was more relaxed around humans.
Herds containing cows with names measured a 258 litre/cow higher milk yield than those without.
“We’ll work with James Clyne to track the winning cow’s performance over 12 months and report on the results on National Cow Appreciation Day next year,” Matt said.
“Our new Clarabelle did well last year, producing 7717 litres, or 662kg milk solids,” James said.
“I’m interested to see if a personal touch of a name gives her an edge and helps her produce more milk this year.”
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Southern Rural Water’s Matt Cook and dairy farmer James Clyne with the herd of milking cows on the farm at Newry. Photo: Southern Rural Water
Cream of the Crop goes north
BY SOPHIE BALDWIN
CHLOE BROWN, Renata
Cumming and Lucy Collins have always had a passion for women and dairy and as a result, have been hosting networking events in western Victoria for the past two years.
In 2024 they decided to take it a step further, hosting their first out-of-region event.
Cream of the Crop was a twoday conference for women in the dairy industry, held in EchucaMoama at the end of July.
The organisers were blown away by the support, with more than 110 people attending, the majority of whom were farmers.
“Women play such a huge role on-farm whether they are out physically working or doing the books, and often they do it all with a family in tow,” Ms Brown said.
“We wanted our program to have something for everyone from business through to networking and mental health. We were blown away with the sharing of different stories and the camaraderie.”
The conference included a variety of guest speakers, workshops,
networking dinner and a regional tour including the GV Creamery, Mulcahys’ dairy operation and Byford Equipment.
“We had hoped for the best but at the same time we were apprehensive when we started planning because it is hard to get bums on seats, especially when we’re moving into a new region,” Ms Brown said.
She said it was great to see some faces from previous events but exciting to see so many new ones.
“Cream of the Crop is a positive initiative, and we want to collectively celebrate all the wonderful things about women and dairy and building off that positivity for the future of the industry.
“There was such a wonderful energy across the two days and the word of mouth feedback has been really encouraging.”
Murray Dairy chair Rachael Napier was a guest speaker and said it was her first time at the event. She will definitely be booking her ticket for the next one in Gippsland in 2025.
“I was so impressed by all the women in attendance who were all farmers,” Ms Napier said.
“It was such a supportive and
amazing environment and it was the first event I have been too where it was organised by women and everything on offer was for women, including babysitting.
“It was so easy to relate our own dairying journeys to her own personal experiences and it was so relatable, the whole conference was just amazing.”
Ms Brown said Gippsland had
“The topics were all relevant and the tours were great. It was interesting to be shown around by a woman at Byfords who started her career on the floor welding.
already been chose for the 2025 event, and it will now be all about finding the ideal time.
“We look at other dairy events and the region’s calving pattern and we always try to avoid those busy times so we can get as many people to attend as possible.”
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More than 110 people attended the Cream of the Crop event in Echuca-Moama.
Make a home for healthy soil
BY DR LES SANDLES
IN THE children’s nursery rhyme, The House
That Jack Built (origins circa 1590), we are seduced into imagining a shonky house — not because anything that is revealed by the house, but rather the improbable series of events that lead to our eventual introduction to the house.
This is not unlike our introduction to Regen Ag — too often the claims made, and the paths to soil restoration are improbable indeed.
Nevertheless, a house — but certainly not Jack’s house — is a perfect metaphor for the process of successfully creating healthy, productive soils.
We all understand the purpose and process of building an enduring house: start with a clear picture of the finished house, put the plan together (architect and builder), make sure the foundations are to spec, put up the frame, rough in the electrics and plumbing etc, clad the roof and walls, insulate, fit out and furnish.
All of this before the family moves in with the ultimate expectation that they will have a safe and happy home for a long, long time.
Building a healthy soil is no different.
The goal is clear: a soil that provides everything for our plants to thrive and produce healthy feed for the herd, and perhaps more importantly, vegies for us.
For this to occur, we have to build a cosy, safe home for the microbes that are going to
work hard to feed those plants on which we and our livestock rely.
In soil, the foundations are the mineral balances that control soil structure — the ones I’ve been banging on about in several previous articles; the plumbing and electrical make up the humus — controlling water holding and availability, and the ion exchange capacity, respectively.
And so it goes — in an orderly manner taking care to execute each step in turn. Sure, we might begin bits and pieces of the next phase before the previous is finished, but essentially we follow the plan.
In our soil health journey, the end game is a warm and cosy house for the microbes in the rhizosphere — the metabolic hot-tub
comprising the 1mm around the plant roots — NOT the plants per se.
If the microbes are happy, they will adequately supply the needs of the plants.
And this is where many soil health journeys go astray. Cherry picking, or plucking out of a hat, what piece or pieces of a soil restoration/ Regen Ag are implemented is doomed to failure.
We wouldn’t build the frame of our house without first attending to the foundations, and we certainly wouldn’t hang our electrics in fresh air while we wait for the frame to appear. This is no different.
In previous articles I have discussed soil structure and the key bits of science controlling pore space, and why that is important.
We have also gotten a better understanding of the role humus plays and where mixed species pastures fit in, and how necessary they are to both support a diverse soil microbiology and pull a heap of atmospheric carbon back into the soil through increased photosynthesis.
All of this is to prepare the home for the ‘family’ to move in.
We want a massive amount of a diverse population of microbes colonising the soil and feeding the plants.
When we achieve this, we will have a truly sustainable, healthy soil and as a result, healthy plants and healthy animals requiring very little outside inputs.
Next month, we will discover which of the soil microbes are most important and why.
Cleancrop fills the feed bank
DAMIEN COCKER, a dairy farmer from Sheffield in Tasmania, was struggling to fill the summer feed gap.
After losing significant milk productivity from his 600 Friesian/Jersey cross cattle throughout the drier months, Damien needed a long-lasting solution to address the seasonal instability.
“We’ve always grown conventional turnips, but we had to switch feed due to one of our usual herbicide options going off production,” Damien said.
Searching for a sustainable feed bank, Damien turned to DLF Seeds, which recently introduced the Cleancrop Brassica System to Australian farmers — and hasn’t looked back. Its cutting-edge system integrates specially bred brassica cultivars with tolerance to the herbicide Telar, offering a robust solution for weed management and crop enhancement, something DLF Seeds product development manager Isaac Berry says is the perfect answer to filling the summer feed gap.
“Despite Cleancrop being a new technology to Australia, it has been tried and tested for over a decade across the ditch in New Zealand,” Isaac said.
“The benefits of Cleancrop are really in the name. Because of the tolerance to Telar, there's great yield and regrowth capabilities, which increases grazing efficiency and ensures cleaner paddocks.”
The Cleancrop Brassica System is implemented by preparing the paddock and seed
beds, sowing the Cleancrop brassica seed as usual, before directly spraying Telar within a 48 hour period post-sowing to manage weeds.
This method allows the brassica crops to grow without competition from the 48 weeds on the label, significantly improving yield and quality, something Rodney Bakker, a dairy farmer from Timboon in Victoria, says is a game-changer.
“We planted Cleancrop Leafy turnip for the first time in October and November last year, right when the weather started to turn,” Rodney said.
“We implemented staggered planting techniques, so the crop provided about six weeks of grazing, with turnips growing knee-high.
“The cattle loved it and transitioned smoothly; now the girls sit and wait at the gate when moving paddock during the summer feed rotation.
“Importantly though, milk yields stayed consistent over the summer, which is what we set out to do with this product.”
Isaac highlighted the advantages this has for producers, noting Cleancrop provides farmers with a wider range of weed control compared to a traditional brassica.
“It allows crops to establish without competition, achieving higher yields and meeting productivity goals,” he said.
Rodney agrees.
“It’s a handy solution to have feed all year
round, maintaining milk yields and fitting perfectly into our management system,” he said.
Damien has experienced the direct benefits of switching from sowing traditional turnips to the DLF Seeds product.
“The choice of sowing Cleancrop Toto turnip, despite a bit more management, was a great change to our rotations. The weed control has been outstanding, truly living up to its name,” he said.
“We saw yields of 18 to 20 tonnes per hectare, with the cows adapting quickly to the new forage.”
Rodney said it wasa great product for paddocks with high weed pressure.
“Cleancrop minimised weeds like wireweed and fathen, making it easier to replant grass afterward,” he said.
The Cleancrop Brassica System also supports sustainability by reducing the need for multiple herbicide applications and promoting efficient forage production.
By integrating high-performance cultivars with effective weed control, the system streamlines crop management and enhances pasture quality.
“We only sowed 5.5 hectares last season, and that wasn’t nearly enough,” Rodney said.
“Given the success we had, we’re planning to more than double our planting this coming spring.”
ɋ For more information, visit: https:// dlfseeds.com.au
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Rodney Bakker’s Cleancrop Leafy turnip crop in Timboon, Victoria
Making kikuyu better
NEW RESEARCH by Dairy UP aims to unlock the nutritive potential of kikuyu pastures used by NSW dairy farmers.
Kikuyu is fast-growing and well-adapted to subtropical areas, but generally perceived as being of poor nutritive value for dairy cattle.
However, Dairy UP project leader Professor Yani Garcia said the research team was working to change that.
“We are exploring new management options to grow and utilise more kikuyu over summer and increase the productivity of kikuyu-based pastures,” he said.
Prof Garcia said the timing of grazing had a big impact on kikuyu’s nutritive value, affecting pasture utilisation and profitability.
“Kikuyu leaves lose quality very rapidly if not consumed at the right time, and the window of opportunity is generally smaller than for temperate grasses,” he said.
Grazing intervals also affect stem content.
The research aims to better understand and predict the rapid, short-term daily changes in the nutritive quality of kikuyu, enabling the development of strategies to better manage the quality of pasture regrowth and prevent milk production losses due to the decline in nutritive value.
The Dairy UP team is modelling changes in the nutritive value of kikuyu plants at different stages of regrowth using a model originally developed for tall fescue and ryegrass by Dr Juan Insua.
Controlled field studies with small, replicated plots of kikuyu under different growing conditions have enabled detailed assessment of plant structure and nutritive value traits.
The data is being used to quantify, model and predict the main factors affecting the fast decline in kikuyu nutritive value during regrowth.
Prof Garcia said the main factors affecting nutritive value had been identified as leaf length, leaf age and leaf decay.
He said future work would explore the relationships between nutritive value data and yield to link changes in nutritive value with satellite imagery.
“Hopefully this will improve the efficacy of remote monitoring tools for farmers,” he said.
The project is a collaboration between the University of Sydney and the UIB, National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Dairy UP project leader Professor Yani Garcia.
Researchers are exploring options to grow and utilise more kikuyu.
App helps pick robot traits
THE GENETIC traits Tori Tuckett wants in a bull have changed considerably in the past year.
And thanks to DataGene’s Good Bulls App she’s able to discover what she needs fast and efficiently.
The evolution of Tori’s breeding philosophy comes after she, husband Ryan and their children — Jack (7), Paddy (6) and Lucy (4) — embarked on robotic milking.
“In September, last year, when we started our robotic dairy, it became evident on the day of start-up that some of the traits we had been breeding for, were not ideal for a robotic herd,” she said.
“For example, a lot of our focus now is on rear teat placement and teat length. If cows have close rear teats and their teat length is shorter, it doesn’t work in this system. That’s why we use the app for a guide, it has become a very important tool for us.”
The Terang dairy farmers used the Good Bulls App previously — but now it’s on high rotation — as Tori investigates new bull options that could suit robotic milking.
“I’d be on that app five-to-six times a week,” she said.
“I might find a bull that’s being used in American and Canadian
robotic herds, and I’ll go straight to the Good Bulls App to see how that bull works in our herds over here.”
Bulls that “tick all the boxes” are then researched further, with Tori asking farmers on social media about their experiences with certain genetics in robotic milking systems.
Thoroughly exploring options, and understanding fellow farmers’ experiences, are vital for Tori and her family as they navigate the “emerging” robotic milking system in Australian pasture-based systems.
The Good Bulls App enables users to set their own filters for traits which suit their dairy business.
Tori’s filters are concentrated on teat length, teat placement, mammary system, dairy strength, milking speed and temperament.
“Milking speed is really important because it correlates to box time — the time each cow spends in the robot,” she said.
“We don’t want a long box time, but we also don’t want extreme milk speed because that comes with its own issues. We set the filters at 101 or 102, anything 100 and under we don’t want because they milk too slow.”
Temperament is something the Tucketts are still considering.
On one hand, training cows to milk via robot is easier if they are quiet, as cows kicking robots causes damage to the system and robot failures, but cows also need to be motivated enough to walk through a herd and make their way into a robot for milking.
The Tucketts milk 750 cows, 550 through eight robots and the remainder in their rotary dairy.
Tori said some cows remained in the rotary herd because they weren’t motivated enough for the robotic system — they’d stand for 15 hours a day, rather than push forward for milking.
Others are in the rotary herd
because they have traits that are desirable in a traditional milking system — such as a tight central udder ligament — but don’t work well with robots.
“The extreme tighter central ligament can result in rear teat placement becoming too close,” Tori said.
“We are using the app to make sure we retain ligament with correct rear teat placement.”
Overcoming labour challenges was the driving force behind the Tucketts’ move to robotics. But they have realised other benefits from the technology.
The robotic herd — 10 months into the new system — was
producing 23 per cent more milk solids.
“It is a lot more efficient way of milking cows,” Tori said.
“For example, if one quarter is a lot lighter, the robots would take that cup off and keep milking the other three quarters.”
The Good Bulls App is also a useful tool to guide semen inventory stocktake.
Tori said she regularly checks the semen in the AI tank against information on the app and even glances at the app “quickly” just before breeding cows.
This last-minute app check is for reassurance; Tori likes to be 100 per cent sure that the key traits of a bull are an ideal match for the recipient cow.
Calving year-round, the Tucketts are always on the lookout for bulls that suit their system and developing their breeding philosophy is a work in progress.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” Tori said.
“When this year’s spring group starts calving in, we might realise there are some more traits that we need to look at, something else to focus on. We are continually learning.”
The DataGene’s Good Bulls App is helping the Tuckett family breed cows suited for their robotic milking system.
Data aids decision-making
USING DATA to identify and cull low production and poor performing cows can help cut farm costs in tight seasons.
And, in many cases, removing ‘passengers’ from the herd has a positive effect on the farm business bottom-line with feed spreading further and milk production responding.
DataGene extension officer Peter Williams said on-farm data — such as herd test, pregnancy test and genomic results — has helped farmers throughout regions such as western Victoria and south-east South Australia make decisions during this difficult season.
“Genomic results have guided young stock culling decisions, while low BPI (Balanced Performance Index) cows have been removed from herds to save feeding and breeding costs,” Peter said.
“The decision to cull cows or heifers is independent from the return you will get for them from the market, it’s about the money you save by not having them — they cost you if you keep underperforming animals.”
It costs $1200 to $1700 to rear a heifer to its first lactation and Peter said this money could be redirected from a poorer, low BPI animal, into other costs on the farm.
High BPI cows produce more milk and last longer in the herd than their low BPI herd-mates.
This comes as DataGene released the latest Australian Breeding Values and bull rankings on August 19, highlighting Australia’s highest BPI bulls across all the dairy breeds, informing dairy farmers’ future breeding decisions.
When it comes to breeding, Peter stressed the importance of continuing artificial insemination and choosing DataGene ‘Good Bulls’ to maintain genetic improvement.
CHANGES TO HEAT ABV
The Heat Tolerance Australian Breeding Value allows farmers to identify animals with greater ability to tolerate hot conditions and less impact on milk production.
A recent update to the Heat Tolerance ABV has improved reliability of the trait in Holsteins and Jerseys.
The reliability for Holsteins increased 10 percentage points while Jerseys had a modest one per cent improvement.
As a result, the re-ranking for Heat Tolerance ABV was greater for Holsteins than Jerseys.
The Heat Tolerance ABV reliability for Holsteins in 2017 was 38 per cent, and in 2024 is 48 per cent.
For Jerseys, in 2017 it was 38 per cent and this year is 39 per cent.
The update involved using an expanded reference population and more SNP markers utilised in the evaluation.
The expanded reference population includes records from 9020 herds in six states.
“Don’t cut yourself short with your breeding,” he said.
“From past droughts and low farm gate milk price years we know many people regret deviating from their breeding philosophy by introducing herd bulls to try and save money.
“In the end, because genetic improvement is cumulative, it ends up costing the business because it sets it back.”
According to the Dairy Farm Monitor Project, in 2022-23 AI and herd testing accounted for two per
cent of total farm costs.
“Herd improvement is a relatively small cost that contributes to one of your largest, appreciating asset,” Peter said.
DataGene has tools such as the Good Bulls App to help farmers choose bulls that best suit their business and breeding philosophy, with many filters available to narrow or widen search parameters.
Peter said this app makes bull selection easier and by ensuring farmers can choose ‘Good Bulls’ and get what they want.
“Taking advantage of industry tools such as the Good Bulls App makes even more sense during tough seasons when you have so many extra things to manage on-farm.”
For more information, phone DataGene on 1800 841 848 or email abv@datagene.com.au or go to: https://www.datagene.com.au
To see the August ABV tables, go to: https:// www.datavat.com.au/abv-list-reports
For more from the August ABV release, go to: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au
DataGene extension officer Peter Williams.
GA BULLS IN A GOLD MEDAL PERFORMANCE
Genetics Australia bulls have taken out the gold in the August ABV release, topping the rankings across the major breeds.
DataGene released the latest Australian Breeding Values and bull rankings on August 19, highlighting Australia’s highest BPI bulls across all dairy breeds.
Genetics Australia dominated the release, prompting CEO Anthony Shelly to describe it as a “gold medal performance”.
“The ABVs release is like the Olympics of the breeding industry,” Mr Shelly said.
“Bulls from around the world are measured on the performance of their progeny or genomic tested and compared to each other.
“We can be very proud that Australian bulls match it with the very best and, in many cases, stand on top of the podium as the very best bulls for Australian farmers.
“The August breeding values clearly demonstrate the strong performance of both Genetics Australia and Total Livestock Genetics bulls, with several the best in their respective breed for many traits.”
Genetics Australia has the top three Australian proven Holstein bulls with daughters milking, with PILBARA, LASTIN and PEMBERTON. These
popular bulls now have hundreds of daughters milking.
The performance on the BPIg Holstein list is even more impressive, with Genetics Australia holding the top four positions with AUSTRALIND, JOBOLT, FENDER and JORDLIV, with
POLMAX following at six.
The 2024 Holstein bull team offered by Genetics Australia and Total Livestock Genetics holds 10 of the 20 leading positions on BPIg.
Australian Jerseys are building in demand around the world and the
highest bull in Australia with daughters milking and a publishable ABV is DOUGGAN 396 BPI.
BORUNG at 465 BPIg is the highest overall BPI Jersey, delivering No. 1 Daughter Proven and No.1 Genomic Proven to Genetics Australia.
“The breeding world has long recognised that Australia has one of the best populations of Jersey cows and is an elite source of Jersey genetics,”
Mr Shelly said.
The Jersey team offers a great balance of production with type and it is this combination that sets Australia Jersey apart from other Jersey populations.
Genetics Australia also has the number 1 BPIg Illawarra bull in CNLYONS, and several new Australian Red sires have been added to the team.
Mr Shelly said the success of Australian genetics stemmed from the efforts of local breeders.
“The cow families our elite breeders have developed are making a solid contribution to genetic improvement in Australia and are clearly matching it with the best in the world.
“We also understand that it’s just not all about BPI; breeding goals can be different across farms and many of our bulls rank well for other indices such as health and sustainability as well as for overall type and mammary improvement.”
Mr Shelly said the BPI considers the economic weighting based on producing milk in Australia and the August ABV release has clearly shown the strong and deep pool of genetics for Australian farmers is the best available.
ɋ To see the August ABV tables, go to: https:// www.datavat.com.au/ abv-list-reports
Delivering quality for farmers
ANY HOLSTEIN bulls with the recognised genetic condition called Muscle Weakness Syndrome and Jerseys with the JH1 haplotype (that affects fertility) have been removed from the market by ABS Australia. But this bold and industry-leading move hasn’t affected the quality bull offering for Australian farmers.
ABS bulls claimed four of the top 10 Holstein proven rankings in the latest Australian Breeding Values release — with many household names delivering in the vat for farmers across the country.
ABS Australia business operations manager Bruce Ronalds said dairy farmers could purchase ABS bulls with confidence.
“Muscle Weakness Syndrome (MW) is a newly discovered genetic condition in Holsteins which is characterised by otherwise healthy animals which aren’t able to stand, while the JH1 haplotype has been linked to infertility in Jerseys,” he said.
“The recent discovery of these genetic conditions and haplotypes are just another thing the industry can thank genomics for.
“Here at ABS Australia, we checked our marketed bulls and found 12 with the MW haplotype and two with the
JH1 haplotype. They have been discontinued from our offering. Unfortunately one of these bulls was Denovo 14744 GINETTA, which would have been number seven on the ABV Holstein proven list. Despite his other quality traits, we don’t want farmers to risk any progeny health issues.”
Holstein Winstar EQUITY- P-ET has also been removed from the market, however his highly popular son Denovo 19187 EMPORIA P is clear of the MW gene and remains in ABS Australia’s offering as a bull that excels in Daughter Fertility at 120.
Gippsland-based semen reseller Leading Edge Genetics owner Brad
Aitken said full disclosure of recessive carrying genes was important for the dairy industry.
“I take my hat-off to ABS for making people aware of Muscle Weakness and JH1,” he said.
“It is important farmers are aware of the genetic condition and haplotype, because in different ways, they both affect farm profitability.”
In the recent ABV release, farmer-favourite and long-time breed leader ABS JERONIMO-P continues his domination of the Australian market at 461 Balanced Performance Index (BPI) and number eight, while big milk bull DG CHARLEY continues his run at the pointy-end of
the ranks with 480 BPI and ranked fourth.
Thanks to an influx of daughters, Kings-Ransom S DREAMBIG and RUBELS-RED are Australia’s equal highest type bulls and have also lifted their production status.
DREAMBIG is now at number six proven Holstein with 330 milking daughters, 39kg of Protein and 39kg of Fat and a Farmer Likeability of 105.
“For farmers wanting profit, with outstanding type, DREAMBIG is for them,” Bruce said.
RUBELS-RED, now at number seven at 463 BPI, is 111 for Type and 105 for Udders.
It’s no surprise black and white farmers are using him in their breeding program, Bruce said. He has also improved to 111 for Mastitis Resistance.
ABS Australia has a strong, diverse range of proven Holstein bulls to suit any breeder or commercial dairy farmer.
“If you want Red or Black, high type Holsteins with good production we’ve got something for you,” Bruce said.
“And equally if you have your sights set on health traits, there’s JERONIMO-P.”
Consistent Jerseys deliver for all
The highly sought-after and continually impressive genomic bull Kaarmona Jeronimo Brady, CSCBRADY, has delivered a consistent performance in this ABV release with 423 BPI and is equal number one for Type and four on ASI Production.
“CSCBRADY has been our most popular Jersey during the past four months with farmers wanting to take advantage of a balanced bull offered by Kaarmona, the only stud in Australian history with a Master Breeder award from two different breeds,” Bruce said.
“The highest ranked ABS Jersey genomic bull, farmers can purchase CSCBRADY with confidence and know he will deliver. It’s exciting to have this bull through our relationship with Central Sires Co-Operative and from one of the best cow families in the country.”
ɋ For a longer version of this story, go to: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au
ɋ To see the August ABV tables, go to: https://www.datavat.com.au/ abv-list-reports
Four two-year-old milking RUBELS daughters at Bomaz farms. RUBELSRED, now at number seven at 463 BPI, is 111 for Type and 105 for Udders in the August ABVs.
Genetics Australia has the top three Australian proven Holstein bulls with daughters milking, with PILBARA (pictured), LASTIN and PEMBERTON.
Shelters help calves thrive
SOUTH GIPPSLAND farmer
Rowen Foote likes his dairy shelter so much that he’s built a second one and is planning a third.
Rowen, who farms with his brother Chris and family near Fish Creek, built a small Dairy Shelters Australia structure in 2019 for rearing calves on automatic milking feeders.
Last year, the brothers added a second, larger shelter for their calving cows, and now they’re planning a third to provide protection for growing calves.
The Foote family milks 900 Holstein cows on 688 hectares, rearing their own calves and Friesian and Angus bulls.
The herd produces an average 10,000 litres for 720kg MS.
The family has been farming in South Gippsland for the past 120 years, moving from the hills of Korumburra to Fish Creek about 20 years ago.
“The Korumburra farm was quite steep and it was hard to expand,” Rowen said.
“Chris and I both wanted to come back to the farm and we took the opportunity to sell up and move down to Fish Creek where it’s a lot flatter and with more room to expand.”
Since moving further south, the farm has grown from 600 to 900 milkers as more land was acquired.
The family has also been through succession planning with Rowen and Chris taking over management from their parents John and Maryan.
Rowen said the Fish Creek area was good for dairy farming, with fertile and relatively flat land and a reliable rainfall averaging 950mm a year.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” Rowen said.
“The past 18 months have been really good here. Other parts of the state have been really dry, but we’ve been lucky to keep getting rain.”
But that rain can also cause problems.
“Before the shelter, our biggest challenge calving in steel sheds in winter was that they stayed very wet. The farm can get incredibly wet,” Rowen said.
The first Dairy Shelters Australia structure helped to address that.
“The shelter doubled our capacity to house the cows and the pens stayed dry,” he said.
“It was a lot easier because it stays so warm and dry and the calves thrived in that environment. It was noticeable that they were growing better and stronger.
“We were attracted to the shelters because we liked the idea of the sun being able to come through and dry the pens out.”
They built a second shelter in 2023 for calving, freeing up paddocks and avoiding muddy births in bad weather.
“We used to calve them in a sacrifice paddock and you’d end up with three sacrifice paddocks and cows up to their bellies in mud walking into the hay feeders and around the troughs,” Rowen said.
“You’d be out there at midnight picking up calves so they weren’t lying in mud and exposed to the elements.”
The stock and the farmers embraced the new shelter. “The
calves have been a lot stronger and healthier and the cows a lot happier because they’re not out in the elements.”
The family has a split calving system in February-March and June-August.
For the summer calving, cows are given the choice of grazing in the paddocks or coming in to the shelter.
“Typically, when we’d pick them up in the morning, all the un-calved cows would be waiting at the gate and the cows that had calved would be in the shelter,” Rowen said.
“When they calve, they prefer to be in the shelter. That proves the point for us.”
Over winter, the cows have access to the paddock, but when it’s really
wet, Rowen and Chris just shut the gates and keep them in the shelters.
“They’re happy with that. We’ve got hay rings and they come to the dairy every day to get grain and lead feed,” Rowen said.
The second dairy shelter is 2200 square metres, double the size of the first shelter and triple the previous calf shed.
“It has a deep woodchip base and we run scarifier rippers through every day for cleaning. It’s pretty quick and easy and it’s incredible how dry it is.” Rowen and Chris are planning a third shelter within the next few years.
“We’re happy with the investment because it makes it so much easier. We’d like to put in a third one for calves that are outside to give them some more shelter,” Rowen said.
“From a cow health and cow management perspective, it’s certainly good. We’re very happy with it. We don’t know how we coped before.”
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South Gippsland farmer Rowen Foote with his new calf shelter.
Keep up with body condition
BY DR ROBERT BONANNO
SEPTEMBER IS often an extremely busy time on the average dairy farm.
Spring calving cows are still coming in, peak calf rearing numbers on milk feed is the norm and thoughts are turning to silage and hay.
Last month I discussed how important managing transition — the three weeks before and after calving — is for herd success.
As cows move closer to peak lactation, it is important to focus on a couple of things, but one of the most important things to focus on in early lactation is: are your cows maintaining their body condition?
The loss of body condition in early lactation might be inevitable when cows, who have been bred genetically for high production, put their all into achieving high levels of milk production, but if their body condition loss is excessive or uncontrolled, the consequences for production and especially reproduction can
be very significant.
I generally advise that cows should ideally not lose more than 0.6 of a Body Condition Score (BCS) on an 8-point scale between calving and mating, which correlates roughly to no more than about a 30kg loss of body weight.
Losses greater than this have been associated with anoestrus and poor reproductive performance, with excessive body condition mobilisation linked to direct and indirect effects on the ovaries and developing eggs.
Some of our robot-milked herds can track body weight loss and some herds will measure and record body condition at several stages of lactation to monitor body condition changes — but they certainly are in the minority of herds.
Most herds have no record of changes to their cows’ body condition other than maybe the ‘vibe’ or the herd owner’s impression that they might be losing condition too fast.
Modern cows have such a great ‘will’ to produce milk that they will do it at the
expense of body condition and subsequently reproduction if we are not able to prevent loss of condition, especially in early lactation.
Cows who are excessively fat at calving are more prone to metabolic diseases like ketosis and fatty liver, which can also have severe impacts on production and reproduction, while cows that calve in poor body condition will have significantly poorer reproduction performance than those calving in the ideal condition.
If farms are not measuring and monitoring body condition at calving/transition and loss of BCS in early lactation, it is often difficult to determine whether this is the cause of poor fertility due to lower than expected cycling (submission) rates and lower than expected conception rates when we get into the joining period or start to pregnancy test the herd.
Many a dollar and hour has been wasted investigating a non-existing disease when prolonged negative energy balance causing loss of body condition in the
early lactation period is the real cause of reproduction failure.
There are some exciting developments in the space of measuring and recording body condition in dairy cows using
technology assisted by artificial intelligence and both 2D and 3D cameras being reported in the literature recently, so I am expecting this to become increasingly available to producers in the coming
years and will make the process of monitoring body condition simple.
Until then, having an experienced herd health veterinarian visually score the herd several times over the year may represent excellent value — especially if you have experienced issues with production, fertility or metabolic disease in previous seasons.
Proactive herd health managers will recognise that measuring and monitoring critical indicators of herd performance like production, cell count, body condition, etc, allow them to make more timely interventions to prevent disasters rather than simply responding to them, which is always a better option.
If you think that your herd might be losing too much condition in early lactation, talk to your vet to organise some BCS monitoring to be performed and your nutritional adviser to look at some strategies to manage this silent thief of your reproductive success.
Dr Rob Bonanno is ProDairy Gippsland’s lead consultant.
VIRTUAL FENCING IS CLOSER
The Victorian Farmers Federation has welcomed the partnership between Agriculture Victoria and Halter in trialling the use of virtual fencing technology at the government’s Ellinbank Smartfarm.
VFF president Emma Germano said the move was a forward step towards making the technology accessible to Victorian farmers.
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“This year the VFF has been engaged in direct discussions with the minister for agriculture to progress the use of virtual fencing technology on Victorian farms,” Ms Germano said.
“The VFF has been encouraging the Victorian Government to work on the regulations that will be required to enable its use commercially.
“Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory already have the ability to use virtual fencing, as well as in international benchmarks such as New Zealand, the UK,
Canada and the USA.”
Ms Germano said virtual fencing would bring great benefits to Victoria.
“Virtual fencing has a broad application across the livestock sectors, but will also provide substantial benefit for our dairy industry.
“It will save farmers’ time, improve safety outcomes for farm workers, better manage pastures and improve environmental outcomes. This is productivity boosting technology that Victoria needs.
“As is the case with any regulatory change, there are complex issues that the government must deal with. This is a slow process, and we are not going to see change immediately.
“There is a strong body of scientific evidence that already supports the animal welfare benefits that virtual fencing creates and we expect the announced trial will add further weight to existing knowledge.”
A New Zealand dairy farmer explains virtual fencing halters to an Australian tour group last year.
Powerhouse baler is
JOHN DEERE has launched its new powerhouse baler that produces longer, heavier bales to save the contractor time, fuel and labour, and it comes with all the precision agriculture integration that the company is renowned for.
Designed and built by John Deere in the United States, the L341R high-density large square baler features a bigger build chamber, reinforced hoops and is 45.7cm longer than a standard unit, which enables the machine to compress hay into a 3x4 bale with 30 per cent more density.
Since fewer bales need to be removed from the field, farmers spend less time travelling across the crop and trucks are loaded with the maximum amount of hay for enhanced efficiency, creating savings on each trailer load. Despite its increased power and compression ability, the L341R operates under the same PTO power requirements as its predecessor, negating the necessity to invest in new machinery to pull it.
The machine’s MegaWide pick-up comes in two sizes on the L341R — a 2.2 metre wide pickup and a 2.5m wide pick-up — which makes it easier to produce neatly shaped bales and improves crop pick-up in wide, windblown or scattered windrows.
Other highlights include the low-profile pick-up drum with a large-diameter roller baffle to efficiently pick crop up and compress it against the pick-up tines, meaning more crop in the bale and less debris in the field.
While the L341R high-density baler leverages product components, functions and technology that John Deere customers are familiar with, it introduces the local hay industry to new levels of sophistication through the data acquisition system, Bale Doc.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand hay and forage product specialist Roberto Scheidt said Bale Doc was standard in the L341R, providing customers with information they didn’t previously have to boost productivity and profitability.
“Bale Doc provides customers with yield data to inform decisions on whether to apply fertiliser to parts of the field, whether to let the hay re-grow for more cuts or plant a new crop,” Roberto said.
“It allows operators to monitor bale characteristics such as weight and moisture as bales are made, so they can make more consistent, high-quality bales, and the moisture maps allow the operator to understand where there are issues in the field with dry down.
“This precision technology seamlessly integrates data in near real-time for record keeping in the John Deere Operations Center.
“It’s the same system being used in broadacre cropping machinery, but the hay industry can now benefit from these new efficiencies.”
The L341R has been trialled under Western Australian conditions and hit the ground
running, Roberto said, with excellent reliability.
“The farmer remarked on the ride and driveability of the new baler too, as the usual rocking motion of the tractor when baling was much smoother thanks to the Ride Control feature on the JD tractor,” he said.
“The new baler also features an integrated preservative applicator, to provide more precise application of innoculant to preserve the crop.”
The John Deere L341R high-density baler was on show for the first time at the Australian Fodder Industry Association’s National Fodder Conference in Coffs Harbour in late July, ahead of an official launch in Australia in September.
The new John Deere L341R high-density large square baler produces bales that weigh 30 per cent more compared to previous standard baler models.
The L341R baler during testing in Western Australia.
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