Dairy News Australia - April 2024 - With Murray Region

MURRAY REGION

ACCIDENTAL CHAMPION

Mikaela Daniel with nine-year-old Ovensdale Scarlett 351, who walked out of the paddock into the show ring to be crowned the Illawarra queen at International Dairy Week. Page 6.

Bega Cobram Cohuna

Colac Corryong Dumbalk

Eskdale Finley Foster

Heywood Kiewa Koroit

Korumburra

Leongatha Maffra

Numurkah

Orbost Rochester

Simpson Swan Hill Wangaratta

Warragul Wonthaggi Yarram

Chair’s message

Summer has rained highs and lows on us

BY RACHAEL NAPIER

I’M SURE that the weather would have cooled by the time this article goes to print.

What is usually a short sharp reminder of summer heat at the end of February turned into what felt like a lingering month of hot afternoons in March, something the cows hated more than me.

It’s not all bad though — earlier summer rainfall and low water prices have meant that this year’s summer crops (maize in particular) came in below budget, coupled with a dry harvest period, there weren’t many excuses for underperformed crops.

Hay, however, was a different situation.

In a typical swings and roundabouts scenario, the rain which we welcomed on our crops, also caused some serious moisture and subsequent combustion issues for hay growers.

This year saw a huge amount of haystack fires. Murray Dairy has put several quick glance, snap-shot type guides for managing haystacks, have a farm table sit down with your crew — even something as simple as someone noticing the smell which is commonly described

as sweet tobacco should be enough to trigger some protocols for checking the stack.

The Murray Dairy Young Dairy Network (YDN) has a fantastic selection of workshops running — it’s great to see the next generation participating in what are ‘foundation basics’ of farming.

If you’ve got a young person on your farm, please talk to them about joining a YDN in your neighbourhood — make it a night out and meet some other like-minded young people.

Contact Pheobe Dillon on 0438638676 or head on over to their Facebook page: Murray Dairy – Young Dairy Network.

Dr Nollaig Heffernan is heading our way again this year in early May.

Nollaig is an independent consultant from Ireland who specialises in leadership and organisational psychology.

Her events are always booked out when she is over here — she has a real passion for helping employers to become ‘employers of choice’.

I see this year she has also included an evening for young farmers to help with strategies to help them on their career path in dairy.

Keep an eye out on eNews and Murray Dairy communications to book your spot. She’ll be in Echuca-Moama on May 1, Barooga on May 2 and Tallangatta on May 3.

Lastly, I hope your autumn sowing programs are well and truly in full swing or close to completion, and you’ve got a strategy for the next few months that covers every weather scenario, because no-one seems game to commit to any solid predictions at the moment.

Either way, we’ll be managing mastitis from mud, or a dry winter.

Rachael Napier is the Murray Dairy chair.

Murray Dairy has resources to help avoid haystack fires.

NEW HAND ON THE YDN REINS

There have been some changes in the Murray Dairy team, with Phoebe Dillon becoming the new Young Dairy Network coordinator for the Murray region.

With Phoebe now in this position, Bec Wyper (previous coordinator) will focus on her feedbase and nutrition role with Murray Dairy.

Phoebe is excited to hit the ground running by delivering good quality educational and social opportunities for young people in the dairy industry to help them thrive and to attract other young people into the industry.

She has already started planning some activities over the next 12 months for all Young Dairy Network groups — Northeast,

Numurkah, Tatura and Kyabram, Campaspe, and Northwest.

Some of these activities will include farm tours, field days, social and educational dinners, trivia nights, and workshops in key areas.

Phoebe is passionate about dairy, which came from growing up on a dairy farm in south-west Victoria.

Since moving north in 2016, Phoebe has worked throughout agriculture in NSW and Victoria in various roles such as veterinary work, station work, livestock sales and processing and finance.

She is based on a farm in Girgarre East, growing and trading cattle and occasionally milking to help out.

When Phoebe isn’t working, you will find her gardening, reading, or riding her horse.

She believes everyone should be given the opportunity to learn regardless of their experience or background and thinks social networking is a huge part of both professional and personal development.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the Young Dairy Network in the Murray region, phone Phoebe for a chat on 0438 638 676 or email her at: phoebe. dillon@dairyaustralia.com.au

You can also see what is happening in this space by visiting the ‘Murray Dairy –Young Dairy Network’ Facebook page.

James still not cheesed o

BY GEOFF ADAMS

WHEN JAMES Harris clocks off in April he will have achieved 50 years of work, but had things turned out differently, he might not have made the milestone with his employer.

On a warm December night in 2014, his workplace burned to the ground, and for a few months it was not clear if the factory would be rebuilt and production would resume.

James was working as a master cheese grader at Fonterra’s Stanhope factory at the time the fire destroyed the cheese room and he recalls the speculation about what would happen.

“The factory was in limbo,” James said.

“There was a thought that the site could be turned into a milk depot and collect milk that would be sent to Gippsland or the Western District for processing.

“We’d just been through a drought when milk supply dropped severely.

“But the mozzarella produced out of New Zealand was very successful, so the board must have decided to invest the $160 million here.”

James has played a key role in the development of Fonterra’s mozzarella production at Stanhope.

Mozzarella, you know, the stringy cheese preferred for topping pizzas, is turned out by the tonne at Stanhope and his office includes a professional kitchen allowing him to prepare pizzas for the ultimate taste test.

On a busy day he might have up to 200 samples to test.

James’ interest in food technology developed when he was young. The son of Girgarre dairy farmers, Beryl and Fred Harris, James had heard his parents talk about the milk testing and he wanted to know more about how it was done.

After his secondary schooling, James found a job in the laboratory of the Stanhope factory when it was transitioning from the Stanhope Co-operative, to Ibis Milk, under the management of Bill Dove.

Two years after starting work, he completed a diploma with the Gilbert Chandler Institute in dairy technology.

Over the years, James has progressed through cheese production manager, safety manager, laboratory manager, site supervisor, cheese quality coordinator and cheesemaker. His main interest has always been in testing and assessing the products produced at Stanhope.

“You can’t afford to let quality slip back, otherwise, you are going to lose customers.”

James will have his last day at the factory in April, and formally retire later, after taking long service leave.

He is looking forward to travelling in Australia and overseas with his wife of 38 years, Barbara, and doing some volunteer work with a Kyabram church and the St Vincent De Paul Society.

Phoebe Dillon is the new Young Dairy Network coordinator for the Murray region.

James Harris at work in the Stanhope Fonterra kitchen. The samples of mozzarella have to get past him before the cheese leaves the factory.

James Harris in the Stanhope laboratory with a bunsen burner in the 1970s.

James Harris with a map representing Fonterra’s export reach.

Sun shines on disperal sale

BY JEANETTE SEVERS

THE SUN shone on the complete milking herd dispersal sale of 52 years of breeding by Janelle and the late Neville McDonald.

Trading as Sunshine Farm Jersey Stud, the farm at Kyabram has been sold and Janelle has announced her retirement from the dairy industry.

On sale day on February 22, temperatures rose to 40°C, but the airconditioned sale shed ensured comfort for cows and people.

There was strong buyer competition from across the dairy regions of Victoria, NSW and South Australia.

“This was one of the best udder sales I’ve had the privilege of selling,” Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie said.

The sale top price of $10,500 was reached when Lot 88, Sunshine Farm Kim 6, VG88, sold to Jett Easterbrook of Tatura.

“This mighty young cow completed 16 generations of EX and VG, bred back through the noted Edi Kims, back to the Heather View Kims of New Zealand,” Mr Leslie said.

“She was one of many wonderful young cows that were sired by Loxleigh David Ivan 6235.”

The second top price of $10,000 was achieved three times through the sale.

First was Lot 4, three-year-old Sunshine Farm Fowler 14, VG88. She was sired from Valentino, and completed 10 generations of EX and VG.

She was purchased by Alan Fisher and his son Oliver, from Jaynaela Jerseys at Byrneside. After recent success in on-farm challenges, they are building up their Jersey herd.

Lot 10 from the Cherry family was two-yearold Valentino Sunshine Farm Cherry 183. She sold for $9000, also to Jaynaela Jerseys.

“Many judges were full of praise for this young cow,” Mr Leslie said.

Next to make $10,000 was Lot 66, Sunshine Farm Finch 11, VG 88, a four-year-old cow sired from Valentino. She is a granddaughter of former Brisbane Royal Supreme Champion, Kenarie Jade Finch, EX.

She was purchased by the Seidel family, Fantasia Pastoral Company, of Mt Gambier in South Australia.

Lot 44, Sunshine Farm Lovely 337, a twoyear-old sired by Valentino, was the third young cow to sell at $10,000. She was bought by Phil and Samantha Daniel, of Nathalia.

The same buyer also selected Sunshine Farm Lovely 333, another two-year-old heifer, by Jackiah Mania 9174. They paid $8000 for her.

Volume buyer, Robb Salter and Danny Griffiths, of Barringa Jerseys, Kerang, selected several cows throughout the sale.

They paid $9000 for Sunshine Farm Kim 7, VG88, a three-year-old full sister to the toppriced cow in the sale.

They also purchased Sunshine Farm Lovely 323, by Craze, at $8000 and Sunshine Farm Fowler 11, EX91, by Valentino, at $7000.

The 89 cows averaged $3771. One bull sold, at $2500. Four baby heifer calves sold for an average of $765. One embryo package sold at $800. The sale grossed $342,000.

“Janelle McDonald should be so proud of these cows,” Mr Leslie said.

“They’re beautiful dairy cows, with wonderful udders all day long, and met very, very strong competition.”

A herd of Sunshine Farm heifers will be sold at a future date.

FINAL FAREWELL FOR RESTDOWN BROWN SWISS

By Jeanette Severs

The final stage complete dispersal sale of the Restdown Brown Swiss stud was held on March 1, where cattle sold to a top of $7200.

These were the final 57 heifers and a few young cows, bred from the number one BPI milking herd in the Brown Swiss breed in 2021.

The first stage dispersal of this herd began in 2021, with two sales — one in autumn and one in spring.

The Burgoines’ Strathallan farm experienced the extreme flood events that hit the Rochester area in October 2022, when, after inundation, the cattle had to be agisted elsewhere.

This followed the impact of a grassfire in November 2019, that swept through the farm and burned most of the dairy area.

These successive disasters and other impacts precipitated Andrew and Belinda Burgoine’s decision making to disperse the herd.

“It’s unfortunate we’ve had to sell the herd, we’ve enjoyed being in the dairy

industry,” Andrew Burgoine told Dairy News Australia

“Fortunately, we’ve been well supported by repeat buyers as each dispersal sale.”

He and Belinda have remained in the Rochester district and moved their agribusiness into the beef and hay cropping industries.

The heifer and young cow lots up for sale on March 1 were pregnancy-tested-in-calf to sexed semen, and due to calve down later in March.

“The Restdown Brown Swiss cattle have tremendous productive backing and a wealth of the breed’s best sires from all over the world,” said Brian Leslie, auctioneer with Dairy Livestock Services, before the sale.

Live online bidding was possible at the sale, held at the Echuca Selling Centre, through an interface with Stocklive.

Buyers were from the dairy regions of NSW, Tasmania and Victoria.

The highest price of $7200 was paid for lot 15, Restdown Dairystar Luscious, born March 27, 2021 and PTIC sexed to BSCaviezel. She was purchased by Greg Meyland, of Waaia.

Bidding climbed nimbly to $5000, then continued to climb by $100 bids until the final price of $7200 was reached.

“He arrived with the intent of picking up some good cows. He went away with a few of them,” Andrew Burgoine said.

Ray Perkins and Shirleen Evans, from Laceby, Victoria, purchased lots 7 and 17, two heifers at $6000 each. Lot 7, Restdown River Sarajeveo, born April 29 2021, is PTIC (sexed) to BSCaviezel and registered A2A2. Lot 17, Restdown OMalley Nanda, born April 15, 2021, is PTIC (sexed) to STGDairystar.

“Ray and Shirleen bought at every sale we’ve had,” Andrew said.

Lot 13, Restdown OMalley Sally, born October 6, 2021, PTIC (sexed) to BSCaviezel and registered A2A2, sold at $5500 to Emily Brown and Stephen Fisicaro, Katunga.

The sale average was $3326.

Ray Perkins and Shirleen Evans, from Laceby, Victoria, purchased lots 7 and 17 (pictured), two heifers at $6000 each.

Andrew Burgoine at his family’s burnt farm in 2019. Floods and fire were among the factors behind Andrew and Belinda’s decision to exit the dairy industry.

Among the cows sold to high prices was Lot 66, Sunshine Farm Finch 11. She sold for $10,000.

Photo: Andrew Cullen

Janelle McDonald is retiring from the dairy industry.

Some of the milking cows sold at the Sunshine Farms dispersal sale. Photo: Janelle MacDonald

She’s an accidental champion

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

WHEN OVENSDALE Scarlett 351 won Grand and Senior Champion of the Illawarra Show at International Dairy Week this year it was quite the feat, considering she literally walked out of the paddock and into the ring.

Owned by Nathalia’s Phil, Sam and Mikaela Daniel, the nine-year-old hadn’t even worn a halter before IDW.

But all that was irrelevant when she was crowned champion.

“This is not something I ever thought we would be part of,” Phil said.

“The crew did a great job getting her ready and standing up in the ring as a winner was just a whole different game.”

Scarlett is the only Illawarra the family has in its predominantly Holstein herd.

She was purchased as a maiden heifer.

“At the time Mikaela wanted to milk some Jerseys, but I was dead set against that idea, and I said to her let’s milk an Illawarra instead,” Phil said.

Phil said he spotted Scarlett at an Ovensdale sale at the Shepparton yards.

“I said to Mikaela let’s give her a crack and she come home with us and has milked her butt off ever since. She gets in calf and walks in and out of the dairy with no trouble at all — she is the real deal and a great cow,” Phil said.

“Scarlett has always done well in the on-farm competition and we just decided if we didn’t show her now we never would and here we are, with an IDW champion.”

Phil said he was happy for Scarlett just to walk out in the ring and he had absolutely no expectations on her whatsoever.

For daughter Mikaela the win has revived her

interest in showing and she is definitely looking to IDW in 2025.

“I just love showing cows and I have had a bit of a break but this win has made me want to bring along my own team next year.

“Scarlett is such a great cow and now I have a couple of stud Jersey cows to add into the mix as well,” Mikaela said.

It was Scott and Pip Robinson, who had the job of preparing Scarlett for IDW, and Scott said from the moment he laid eyes on her she just stood out.

“Her frame was just phenomenal along with her mammary system, and for someone who has had seven calves, to look that good was amazing,” Scott said.

“There was no way we were leaving her out in the paddock.”

Scott said Scarlett was a delight to work with and picked up the IDW drill no worries.

FARM BUSINESS GURU TO RUN WORKSHOPS

Nollaig Heffernan is returning to Australia with motivation, employee insights and employer tips.

Dairy Australia ‘discovered’ Nollaig Heffernan winning best speaker at an international dairy conference several years ago and is excited she is again making the trek over from Ireland to tour Echuca, Barooga, Tallangatta, Warrnambool and Mt Gambier in May.

Dairy Australia knows those who have seen her before will be back and encourages those who have yet to hear Nollaig to get along to one of the workshops or dinner presentations.

Nollaig is an expert on enhancing leadership and organisational psychology with 15 years of specialised experience in

the dairy industry. Her presentations deliver valuable insights and actionable solutions to boost business performance.

Each session will be tailored for each audience covering a range of topics all based on dairy industry needs.

One of her key focuses is on cultivating dairy farms as ‘employers of choice’.

Recognising the pivotal role of dairy businesses in local economies, Nollaig advocates for prioritising employee satisfaction to bolster the industry’s reputation and appeal.

Some workshops cover the significance of effective stakeholder management and communication in fostering stressfree and productive relationships within

dairy operations.

Nollaig’s expertise extends to strategies for enhancing persuasion and negotiation skills, essential for navigating various business interactions successfully.

Retention strategies are often cited as key issues for dairy farmers and in some workshops, Nollaig debunks common misconceptions about employee retention and also highlights the significance of other practices that may seem trivial but are often proven valuable in fostering longterm loyalty.

Nollaig offers practical guidance on time management, change management and personal resilience, recognising these as crucial elements in sustaining high performance and overcoming challenges within

“She was an absolute sweetheart, and we are so pleased for her to do so well,” he said.

The Robinsons took 27 head to the show and were not expecting to do as well as they did either, with their senior team winning Grand Champion Illawarra with Scarlett, Reserve Grand Champion Brown Swiss with Sundar Total Shadow owned by Todd Brown, and Reserve Honourable Mention with Elmbanks Doorman Lou Lou owned by the Gleeson family.

“It is always a busy eight to 10 weeks getting the cows ready and it is hard work, but if you want the results you have to do the work,” Scott said.

“We were just lucky this year the weather was good which makes it easier on everyone, including the cows.

“We already have some animals booked in for IDW next year.”

the dairy sector. Her approach draws upon psychological techniques to empower individuals and businesses to thrive in demanding environments.

Finally, Nollaig will have sessions on motivation fundamentals, providing attendees with essential tools to maintain peak performance levels and inspire their teams effectively.

Nollaig Heffernan’s workshops promise to equip dairy industry professionals with the tools and insights needed to navigate challenges.

If this sounds like something your dairy business needs, contact Melva Tyson for more details on 0439 667 425 or email: melvat@murraydairy.com.au

Nine-year-old Scarlett literally walked out of the paddock and into the IDW show ring.

Photo: Bradley Cullen

Ovensdale Scarlett 351 was judged Grand and Senior Champion of the Illawarra Show at International Dairy Week 2024. She is owned by Nathalia’s Daniel family.

Photo: Bradley Cullen

“Her frame was just phenomenal along with her mammary system,” says Scott Robinson, who prepared Scarlett for IDW.

Photo: Bradley Cullen

Age no barrier for Mikaela

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

THERE ARE a hundred different reasons why Mikaela Daniel loves dairy farming, but ultimately it is her passion for breeding and showing cows that has led her down the path of taking over the everyday running of the family dairy farm at Nathalia.

With parents Phil and Samantha both working off-farm, Mikaela is in charge of the 65ha home farm, which includes milking, calf rearing, feeding, tractor work and silage and hay making during hay season.

The family milks 110 predominantly Holstein cows (they downsized from 150 to a more manageable number for Mikaela), with the cows milked in a 13-a-side double-up herringbone dairy.

They also have a 56ha run-off block nearby which is used to run young stock and grow additional fodder.

Corn and annuals form the basis of fodder production with around half the farm currently sown down to corn.

Mikaela might only be 18, but she firmly believes there is a great future for dairy.

“The ag space is a great place to work in and everyone needs to eat, so there will always be a market for dairy and a space for milk,” she said.

“Being a dairy farmer gives me the ability to be my own boss and I am responsible for all the good and bad things that happen on the farm — and of course I love showing cows.

“Showing has grown from a hobby into a career and in all honesty, I never wanted another job that meant I would be away from cows anyway.”

Mikaela began working on the farm after she left school.

“I think Mum and Dad wanted to see if I liked farming first and after a six-month trial I am still here and I love it,” she said.

Phil helps Mikaela milk in the mornings before he heads off to work and then Mikaela is on her own, feeding the animals and getting the jobs done.

“I am pretty good with most things on my own but I can’t fix something that is broken like a pump,” she laughs.

The family runs a hybrid grazing and compost barn system.

“Dad built the barn around 2015 after we were having heaps of trouble with our laneways and it has been the best thing — the cows love it in there,” she said.

The herd usually stays in the barn overnight, and depending on weather conditions, will either head out into a paddock or stay in the barn.

“It is always cooler in the barn over the summer and the herd is really happy in there,” Mikaela said.

Her passion for cows has always extended across all breeds, which includes the recent purchase of a couple of registered Jerseys to add to the herd.

She always wanted to own a few Jerseys, but her dad was always of the opinion they didn’t really fit in the system.

In fact, many years ago, Mikaela asked her dad to buy her a Jersey at a particular sale they went too.

Phil refused, and instead bought her an Illawarra — Ovensdale Scarlett 351.

This year that cow, as a nine-year-old, was judged Grand and Senior Champion of the 2024 Illawarra Show at International Dairy Week, after entering the show ring for the very first time.

That win has inspired Mikaela and she is looking forward to getting her own team together next year.

“I have had a bit of a break from showing because I have been pretty busy with the farm,” she said.

“I just love showing cows and I don’t care really what breed they are. The Jerseys are settling in nicely and we will see how they go.”

So with a manageable herd of registered cows, a determination to work hard and succeed, Mikaela is looking forward to the years ahead.

“One day I would love to have my own farm, but that is probably a bit unrealistic at this stage.”

Mikaela Daniel on her family’s Nathalia farm.

Mikaela Daniel in the maize crop prior to it being cut for feed.

Mikaela Daniel with her grand champion Illawarra, Ovensdale Scarlett 351, at her family’s Nathalia dairy farm.

The milking herd milling about in the shade of the barn.

Cow nerd enjoys his new role

GENETICS AUSTRALIA’S

new northern Victoria regional sales manager Jon Holland admits he’s a bit of a nerd when it comes to breeding elite cows.

Which makes his new job an ideal fit.

“It combines my favourite things — I’m a history nerd, a data nerd and a cow nerd, and now I get to play with everyone else’s cows,” he said.

Jon has the runs on the board when it comes to breeding. He operated his own dairy business for more than a decade, was named a Holstein Australia Master Breeder and has worked as a breeding consultant with two different companies. His passion for the industry is always on display and when Jon joined the GA team on February 5 it was a great opportunity to be part of the whole spectrum of breeding.

“Genetics Australia is the industry leader when it comes to supplying genetics for Australian conditions, and I am really excited to get involved in the full chain — working with farmers, retailers and the direct connection with the bulls,” he said.

“I grew up in the era of bulls like Lale and Kane, and witnessed the impact GA legends like Shotime and Medallion had on our dairy

population.

“Now I get to work with the next generation, with bulls like Ventura and Varley hopefully continuing that legacy.”

Jon, who lives at Newbridge on the Loddon River west of Bendigo, grew up on a family dairy farm and completed an agricultural science degree at Glenormiston College in southwest Victoria.

He worked with Consolidated Herd Improvement Services as a breeding consultant from 200208 and then ran and expanded the Holland family’s Holloddon Holsteins farming business from 2008-21.

During that time Jon was named a Holstein Australia Master Breeder, one of his career highlights.

After finishing his farm lease and dispersing the herd, Jon worked for National Herd Development as a breeding consultant, field officer and herd evaluator based at Cohuna.

“Dairy genetics have always been my thing,” he said.

“I get a lot of enjoyment from breeding and developing herds. I loved all aspects of dairy farming, but breeding was what I really loved to do.”

Jon said genetics were at the core

of the industry’s success.

“I love to see how a herd can develop through the generations by building on the quality of genetics,” he said.

“There’s great satisfaction and fulfilment when you can achieve that with genetics, combining different bloodlines and helping farmers to build their assets.”

Jon has no doubt about the quality of cows and herds he will be working with.

“I like to see a lot of different breeding programs and bloodlines and I think the Australian dairy cow is unique and rightly starting to get more recognition,” Jon said.

“She’s such a versatile cow that can go from pasture-based to TMR systems to barns.

“It’s a rare creature that can transition from one to the other. We have a unique combination of bloodlines. We haven’t stayed in-house; we picked the best from North America, from Europe, and from our own home-grown bloodlines and blended them together to create something unique and special.”

While most of his farming career has been connected to Holsteins, including writing feature articles for the Holstein Journal on Australian cows and cow families (“I like to take any opportunity to showcase

Australian dairy farmer and genetics achievements”), Jon will be working across all breeds with Genetics Australia.

“It doesn’t matter which breed it is,” he said.

“I’ve worked mainly with Holsteins in the past, but the Australian Jersey is really starting to find its feet and being recognised on the global scene.

“It’s quite exciting to see what they are achieving and it’s the same with the Australian Red Breeds being recognised globally for what they are achieving.

“Australian Holsteins have been recognised for being a great a pasture-based animal, but I think they are more than that – more versatile, and that makes them a standout.

“Being able to work with all the breeds will be a great opportunity. Australian dairy farmers have some of the best bloodlines in the world, and we should take great pride in that.”

Jon said the future looked good for Australian cows and agriculture.

“We’re so lucky Australian cows have so much versatility and diversity. By using genomics to identify superior animals, we can get the best traits into the broader population,” he said.

Genetics Australia’s new northern Victoria regional sales manager Jon Holland.